On Friday 16 December 2016, following the departure of the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) from Australia, the proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC.
On Thursday 15 December 2016, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as Patron-In-Chief, and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception for Bravery Trust.
On Wednesday 14 December 2016, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
In the evening, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception for the Australian Rugby Foundation.
On Tuesday 13 December 2016, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) received the Prime Minister, the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull MP.
Afterwards, at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief, and Lady Cosgrove attended the Royal Military College General Service Officer graduation parade and commissioning ceremony.
On Sunday 11 December 2016, at Kippax Uniting Church, Holt, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of Executive Officer, UnitingCare Kippax, Ms Meg Richens, attended the annual ‘A very Kippax Christmas’ performance.
On Friday 9 December 2016, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove received the President of the Palace of Versailles, Madame Catherine Pégard.
On Thursday 8 December 2016, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
Earlier, at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Campbell, the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief, and Lady Cosgrove, attended the 2016 Australian Defence Force Academy graduation parade, at which the Governor General reviewed the parade, presented the Commander-in-Chief medal and delivered an address.
On Wednesday 7 December 2016, at the Australian National University, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as Commander-in-Chief, and Lady Cosgrove attended the 2016 Australian Command and Staff College graduation and reception.
On Tuesday 6 December 2016, at the Park Hyatt Hotel, East Melbourne, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, and Lady Cosgrove attended a ceremony at which the Governor-General invested the Chilean Minister for Mining, Minister Aurora Williams, with the insignia of Honorary Member of the Order of Australia.
Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended the closing session of the 2016 Australia-Chile Economic Leadership Forum at which the Governor-General gave the closing address.
On Monday 5 December 2016, at Radio 1RPH, Gungahlin, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), read the Canberra and Wagga Wagga news for visually impaired listeners during the live-to-air morning news broadcast.
In the afternoon, at the High Court of Australia, Parkes, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Chief Justice of Australia, the Honourable Chief Justice Robert French AC, attended a ceremonial sitting.
