Brussels, Belgium, Canberra, ACT

On Friday 29 June 2018, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, visited the TERRA Research Centre at the University of Liege’s campus in Gembloux, Belgium. As guests of Professor Fredric Francis, Dean, and Professor Eric Haubruge, Vice-Dean, Their Excellencies inspected the University’s Agro-Bio Tech facilitates, and received a briefing on collaborative projects between Belgium and Australian universities.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended a lunch hosted by Mr Denis Mathen, the Provincial Governor of Namur, at the Palais Provincial, Namur.

In the afternoon, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, visited the Cochlear Technology Centre in Mechelen. As guests of Mr Diggory Howitt, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr Carl van Himbeeck, General Manager, Their Excellencies met with staff, researchers and medical practitioners, and were briefed on new technologies and treatments to assist people with hearing impairments.

In the evening, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, King and the Queen of the Belgians, attended The Waterfront, a participatory performance event to recognise and commemorate those people lost at sea during the First World War, at the Ostend beachfront.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of Mr Carl Decaluwe, the Governor of West Flanders, attended a dinner at the Governor’s residence in Bruges.

Earlier, the Administrator, His Excellency the Honourable Paul De Jersey AC presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council at Government House, Canberra.

Afterwards, the Administrator met with students from Geraldton Grammar School, WA; Mackay North High School, QLD; and Harmony Primary School, WA as they undertook a tour of Government House as part of their visit to Canberra.