The Governor-General invested 43 recipients of the 2012 Australia Day Honours and Awards during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra.

The Governor of Victoria, His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC, was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his service to the people of Victoria.

Mr Terence Francis Moran AC was also appointed a Companion for his eminent service to the community throughout his public service career.

On Tuesday 1 May 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE welcomed the Governor of Victoria the Honourable Alexander Chernov AC QC and Mrs Elizabeth Chernov as houseguests.

On Monday 30 April 2012, at the University of Canberra, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guest of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Parker, attended a reception for scholarship donors and supporters of the University of Canberra Foundation.

On Sunday 29 April 2012, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, returned to Australia following their State Visits to the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan, and visit to Singapore.

In Singapore, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce called on the President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan.

Later, Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce attended a lunch hosted in their honour by the President and Mrs Tan.

On Saturday 28 April 2012, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, hosted the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards, where the Administrator, as Vice-Regal Patron in New South Wales, presented certificates to awardees.

Afterwards, at Reflection Park, Sydney, the Administrator attended the International Day of Mourning commemorative service for workers who have lost their lives in the workplace.

On Friday 27 April 2012, at Tottenham Airstrip, New South Wales, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, officially opened the newly refurbished airstrip.

In the afternoon, at Government House Sydney, the Administrator, in conjunction with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, hosted a School Leaders Program.

In the evening, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE hosted the Triumverate’s 2012 ANZAC Reception for members of the Joint Health Command Reserves.

On Thursday 26 April 2012, at Al Minhad Airbase, Dubai, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guest of the Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633, Air Commodore Christopher Sewade, visited the base and met with Australian Defence Force personnel.

In the evening, at the Australian Consulate-General, Dubai, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Consul-General, Mr Gerard Seeber, attended a reception for members of the Australian Business Council Dubai and representatives from Australian academic institutions.

In Dubai, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce visited the Al Minhad base to thank ADF personnel for their work in supporting and enabling Australia's troops in Afghanistan and other Middle East locations.

Several hundred staff, including logistics, finance, communications and other support positions joined the Governor-General for afternoon tea.

The visit followed Ms Bryce's participation in Anzac Day events at the ADF base in Tarin Kowt, and her meeting in Kabul with Afghan President Karzai on April 24th.

On Wednesday 25 April 2012, at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, attended an ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

Afterwards, at Pitt Street, Sydney, the Administrator was presented with a sprig of Rosemary by a Junior Legatee before leading the Sydney ANZAC Day March.

Later, from the steps of Town Hall, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, viewed the Sydney ANZAC Day March.