Canberra, ACT

On Thursday 29 November 2018, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received Letters of Credence from Her Excellency Ms Betty Pavelich Sirois accrediting her as the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Ivica Glasnovic (Consul-General, Sydney), Mr Joseph Petric (Consul-General, Melbourne) and Ms Sandra Tvrtkovic (First Secretary).

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Monther Al-Eissa as the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Mohammed Al-Oraifan (Counsellor) and Mr Abdullah Qasem (Second Secretary).

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Marcelino Aviles Valdespino as the Ambassador of the Republic of Panama.

Then, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Mr Antonio da Vinha Rodrigues da Silva as the Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Carlos Lopes De Oliveira (Minister Counsellor), and Mr Francisco Duarte Azevedo (Consul General).

Afterwards, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence accrediting His Excellency Dr Sergio Moreira Lima as the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Luciano Mazza De Andrade (Charge d’Affaires), Mr Romero Maia Filho (First Secretary), and Mr Alfonso Lages Besada (Second Secretary). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mrs Ana Maria Kautezky-Larder Moreira Lima.

Later, the Governor-General received Letters of Credence from Her Excellency Mrs Hellen De La Vega accrediting her as the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr Jim San Agustin (First Secretary and Consul), Ms Ma Reyes (First Secretary and Consul), and Colonel Nhel Patricio (Assistant Defence Attaché). The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove also received Mr Joveno De La Vega.

Then, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a lunch in honour of the newly accredited Heads of Mission. Guests included: His Excellency Monther Al-Eissa; Mr Mohammed Aloraifan; His Excellency Mr Marcelino Aviles Valespino; Her Excellency Mrs Nineta Barbulescu and Mr Dan Barbulescu; His Excellency Mr Antonio Pedro da Vinha Rodrigues da Silva; Her Excellency Ms Hellen De La Vega and Mr Joveno De La Vega; Mr Carlos Migues Lopes de Oliveira; Mr Luciano Mazza de Andrade; His Excellency Dr Sergio Eduardo Moreira Lima and Mrs Ana Maria Kautezsky-Larder Moreira Lima; Her Excellency Ms Betty Pavelich Sirois; and Mrs Sandra Tvtkovic.

In the evening, the Governor-General as Patron-in-Chief, and Lady Cosgrove, hosted a reception for The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust 2018 ACT awards presentation ceremony.