On Tuesday 20 January 2009, at Verbruggen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the Administrator, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, attended a function at which the Administrator delivered the 2009 Australia Day Address.

Earlier, at Camp Russell, Afghanistan, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended a breakfast with the Special Operations Task Group. Afterwards, at Camp Holland, Tarin Kowt, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce visited the Trade Training School and met with teachers and students. Later, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce attended a briefing by the AusAID Development Adviser, Mr Stefan Knollmayer, on current AusAID programs in Afghanistan. Then, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce attended a luncheon hosted in their honour by Commander Task Force Uruzgan of the Netherlands Army and Commander 4 Brigade of the Afghanistan National Army. In the afternoon, Governor-General and Mr Bryce visited the Tarin Kowt Medical Facility. In the evening, at the Sea Palace, Abu Dhabi, the Governor-General was received by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Al Kitbi.