• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, has sent a message to the people of Norfolk Island, expressing her deep disappointment that a planned visit to the Island today and tomorrow has had to be postponed.

Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, flew to Norfolk Island this morning to attend a planned special sitting of the Island’s Legislative Assembly to mark the 30^th anniversary of self-government.

The Official Secretary to the Office of the Governor-General, Stephen Brady, said extreme weather conditions had forced the RAAF 737 carrying the Governor-General and staff to turn back to Sydney this morning.

“The crew made three separate attempts to land the Governor-General’s plane. However, severe cross winds, gusting to almost 98 kilometres an hour, prevented the plane from landing”, Mr Brady said.

“On the third attempt to land, the very skilful crew aborted the landing when we were only 30 metres above the runway, because of extreme gusts”, he said.

“The Governor-General, staff and crew aboard the plane were shaken but unhurt by the incident”.

“Ms Bryce has expressed her deep disappointment that she was unable to share the celebrations with the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly and the Norfolk Island community on this special anniversary”, Mr Brady said.

“Ms Bryce has sent a message to the Administrator of Norfolk Island, Mr Owen Walsh, extending her sincere good wishes for the celebrations. She has said that she looks forward very much to travelling to the Island in the near future”.

“The Governor-General has thanked the RAAF crew for their exemplary handling of difficult flying conditions today”, Mr Brady said.

For more information, contact:
Niree Creed, Senior Communications and Media Adviser
Government House
0418 625595/ 02 62833519