GOVERNOR-GENERAL LEAVES TO ATTEND ECUMENICAL SERVICE

2 August 1999

The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, and Lady Deane will leave Australia tomorrow for Switzerland, where they will take part in the Ecumenical Service at Interlaken on Thursday for the victims of last week's canyoning tragedy.

Sir William and Lady Deane will also meet with some of the families and friends of the victims, and with some of the Swiss rescue teams, counsellors and other helpers. On Wednesday afternoon, they hope to visit the scene of the tragedy where they will place 14 wattle sprays in rememberance of the 14 young victims who came from Australia.

The Governor-General will leave from Sydney International Airport at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, 3 August, and return to Sydney at 6:10 am on Sunday, 8 August.

During the Governor-General's absence from Australia, His Excellency Major-General Michael Jeffery, AC, MC (the Governor of Western Australia) will be the Administrator of the Commonwealth. Major-General Jeffery will be based in Perth during that time.