On Sunday 8 September 2013, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO received a letter from the Honourable Kevin Rudd MP tendering his resignation as Prime Minister and recommending that the Governor-General invite the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Tony Abbott MP, to form Government. The Governor-General requested Mr Rudd and his Ministers to remain in Government in caretaker capacity until the new Ministry is sworn in.

In Brisbane, the Governor-General, as guest of the Chair of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Board of Trustees, Ms Elizabeth Jameson, and Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, launched the book ‘Educating Girls’, a history of Brisbane Girls Grammar School.

On Saturday 7 September 2013, in Brisbane, the Governor-General the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chair of the Brisbane Girls Grammar School Board of Trustees, Ms Elizabeth Jameson, and Principal, Ms Jacinda Euler, launched the book ‘Educating Girls’, a history of Brisbane Girls Grammar School.

Later, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Tonga, Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u, by Colonel Michael Miller RFD ADC, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Friday 30 August 2013, at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Queensland, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as Patron, attended the annual Melanoma Patients Australia dinner.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE hosted a morning tea in support of National Wattle Day, at which the Governor-General was presented with a basket of wattle by Year Six students from Miles Franklin School.

At Gold Creek School, Canberra, the Governor-General, as Patron of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and guest of the Principal, Mrs Linda Baird, read a book to Kindergarten students in recognition of Book Week.

Afterwards, the Governor-General met with teachers, parents and students of Gold Creek School before officially launching the school’s new website.

On Friday 23 August 2013, at Gold Creek School, Canberra, the Governor-General the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, and guest of the Principal, Mrs Linda Baird, read a book to Kindergarten students in recognition of Book Week. Afterwards, the Governor-General met with teachers, parents and students of Gold Creek School before officially launching the school’s new website.

Later, at Government House, the Governor-General received the Ambassador of the United States of America, His Excellency Mr Jeffrey Bleich.

On Thursday 22 August 2013, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, met with students from Indooroopilly State School.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and the ACT Chief Minister, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA, in connection with the Centenary of Canberra, met with students from Giralang Primary School and Indooroopilly State School.

Later, the Governor-General received the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, Her Excellency Mrs Eva Ponomarenkova.

In the Utopia Homelands Region, the Governor-General, as guest of the Principal, Ms Julie Permezel, visited Arlparra High School and met with staff and students.

Later, at the Barkly Shire Council Service Centre, Arlparra, the Governor-General, as guest of the Chair of the Urapuntja Council, Mr Dennis Kunoth, met with women Elders and attended a community reception.

In Ti Tree, Northern Territory, the Governor-General, as guest of the Manager of the Ti Tree Women’s Centre and Safe House, Ms Ruth Turpie, met with staff and viewed the facilities.

Afterwards, at the Ti Tree Aged Care Centre, the Governor-General, as guest of the Manager, Ms Edna Snape, attended a morning tea and met with residents.

Later, the Governor-General, as guest of the CEO, Ms Cathryn Hutton, visited the Central Desert Shire Council Offices.