During a ceremony at Government House in Canberra, the Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, invested the Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO, as an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia.
The Governor-General conducted the swearing-in of the new Administrator of Norfolk Island, Mr Neil Pope, during a ceremony at Government House, Canberra.
Pope has had a distinguished career as a local government officer and member of the Parliament of Victoria from 1982 to 1992.
On Wednesday 21 March 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended a ceremony at which the Governor-General administered the Affirmation of Office to the Administrator-Designate of the Territory of Norfolk Island, Mr Neil Pope.
Later, the Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, and Mr Bryce hosted an investiture ceremony.
On Tuesday 20 March 2012, in the Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Honourable Warren Snowdon MP, attended a memorial tribute in honour of Ms Nancy Wake AC GM.
Afterwards, at Government House, the Governor-General, as Patron, received the Chief Executive Officer of the Lung Foundation, Mr William Darbishire.
As Patron of Playgroup Australia, the Governor-General popped in to the Jelly Beans Playgroup in the Canberra suburb of Scullin to read a book and meet the kids and their mothers. The visit marked National Playgroup Week, which is held every autumn. Ms Bryce was joined by the Minister or Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Jenny Macklin MP.
On Monday 19 March 2012, at Scullin, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron of Playgroup Australia and as guest of the Chief Executive Officer, Ms Karen Merange, visited Jellybeans Playgroup in recognition of National Playgroup Week.
Afterwards, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General received the Ambassador of Switzerland, His Excellency Dr Daniel Woker.
Earlier, at the Commonwealth Club, Yarralumla, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as Patron, attended the Royal Australian Air Force Association ACT Division lunch.
Thousands of local Canberra residents and tourists converged on Government House for the annual Open Day in support of the Smith Family.
The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce welcomed families and visitors to their Canberra home during the day.
On Sunday 18 March 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, met with visitors at the 2012 Smith Family Government House Open Day.
The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce joined North Wagga Wagga residents and emergency services personnel for a barbecue organised by the flood-affected community.
Ms Bryce heard personal accounts of how the flood inundated homes and businesses, forcing many residents to be evacuated.
On Saturday 17 March 2012, at the North Wagga Relief Centre, New South Wales, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council, Councillor Kerry Pascoe, attended a community barbecue and met with volunteers, emergency works and residents.
Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, accompanied by Councillor Pascoe, viewed flood affected areas of Wagga Wagga.
