Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

On Thursday 12 August 2020, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) made a joint announcement with the Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO RAN, Chief of Navy, following the approval of Her Majesty The Queen to award the Victoria Cross to Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean.

Prior to the announcement, the Governor-General spoke by telephone to the nephews of Teddy Sheean, Mr Garry Ivory and Mr Grant Sheean, who accepted the award on his behalf.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley met with the Towamba Fireflies via video conference.

Later, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley presented Mr John Fleming Sr, WWII Veteran, with a certificate and medallion as part of commemorations to mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Then, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of Ms Kristine Stewart, acting Principal, met with staff and students of Giralang Primary School to mark the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General spoke to representatives of the Australian-Lebanese community about the impact of the Beirut Port explosion. This included telephone calls to His Excellency Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Bishop of Maronite Diocese of Australia, and His Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop Basilios Kodseie, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Philippines.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley met with Cr Ross Ebbels, Mayor, Borough of Queenscliffe Council, via video conference to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic.