On Friday 24 February 2017, following the departure of the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) from Australia, the proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC.
On Thursday 23 February 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in Australia, Mr Jim Carouso.
Later, at the ANZAC Memorial Chapel, Duntroon, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of General Sir Phillip Bennett AC KBE DSO attended a memorial service for the late Margaret Bennett.
On Wednesday 22 February 2017, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received the Australian Ambassador to the State of Israel, Mr Dave Sharma.
Afterwards, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove received the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu and Mrs Sara Netanyahu.
On Tuesday 21 February 2017, at the Charles Darwin University, Darwin, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simon Maddocks, viewed the facilities and met with students and researchers.
On Monday 20 February 2017, at the Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School, Bathurst Island, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Chairman of the Tiwi Land Council, Mr Gibson Farmer Illortaminni, received a traditional welcome and met with students and staff.
On Sunday 19 February 2017, at the USS Peary Memorial, Darwin, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the President of the Australian American Association of the Northern Territory, Mr Digby Hart, attended the 75th USS Peary Memorial service. The USS Peary was sunk on 19 February 1942 by Japanese Carrier based aircraft and is the greatest loss of life in Australian waters for the United States’ Navy.
On Saturday 18 February 2017, at the Darwin Military Museum, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Manager, Mr Norman Cramp, viewed the displays and met with staff.
In the evening, at Government House, Darwin, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Administrator of the Northern Territory, His Honour the Honourable John Hardy AO, attended a dinner.
On Friday 17 February 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove hosted a farewell lunch in honour of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner for the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Charles Lepani and Mrs Katherine Lepani. Guests included: His Excellency Mr Sem Fabrizi and Mrs Rebecca Fabrizi; Ms Lyndall Sachs; Mr Daniel Sloper; Ms Penny Williams; His Excellency Mr Kyoung-ha Woo and Dr Jinah Woo.
On Thursday 16 February 2017, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received the Administrator of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories, His Honour Mr Barry Hasse.
Afterwards, the Governor-General received Australian Historian, Mr Will Davies.
On Wednesday 15 February 2017, at the Arch of Victory precinct, Ballarat, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as a guest of the Mayor of Ballarat, Councillor Samantha McIntosh, opened the Garden of the Grieving Mother.
Afterwards, at the Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial, Ballarat, the Governor-General, as a guest of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Honorouable Dan Tehan MP, attended a commemoration ceremony for the 75th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore.
