On Monday 17 December 2012 at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE hosted to dinner the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Marilyn Warren AC QC and Mr Mick Heeley.

In an historic moment at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General presented The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal to four Cross of Valour recipients.

Mr Darrell James Tree CV, Mr Victor Alan Boscoe CV, Mr Allan John Sparkes CV and Mr Timothy Ian Britten CV. As recipients of the second highest award in the Australian Honours system, they were recognised again for their extraordinary actions of bravery and courage. The Diamond Jubilee Medal was created to mark the 60th Anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Governor-General joined blood donors in Canberra in donating blood at the Red Cross Canberra Donor Centre in the lead-up to the holiday season.

Ms Bryce, as the Patron of the Australian Red Cross Society, officially re-opened the Centre at Red Cross House in Garran. She met donors giving blood, plasma and platelets, including Mr Bill Robb, who has provided over 330 donations.

On Friday 14 December 2012 in Garran, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron of the Australian Red Cross, officially re-opened the Canberra Donor Centre and donated blood.

Afterwards, at Government House, the Governor-General presented The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal to Mr Victor Boscoe CV, Senior Constable Tim Britten CV, Mr Allan Sparkes CV and Mr Darrell Tree CV.

The Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief, reviewed the 2012 Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) graduands at the ADFA Parade Ground, Canberra.

Ms Bryce was welcomed by the Commandant of ADFA, Commodore Bruce Kafer AM CSC RAN, and inspected the parade and band before a march past and helicopter fly over. Ms Bryce also presented the Commander-in-Chief’s Medal to Midshipman Douglas Phillips RAN.

On Thursday 13 December 2012, at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Commander-in-Chief, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, attended the 2012 Australian Defence Force Academy Graduation Parade, at which the Governor-General reviewed the parade and presented the Commander-in-Chief’s Medal.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the High Commissioner-designate to the Republic of South Africa, Mr Graeme Wilson.

The Governor-General received the State Councillor of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Her Excellency Liu Yandong.

On Wednesday 12 December 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard MP.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ms Frances Adamson.

Later, the Governor-General received State Councillor from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Her Excellency Liu Yandong.

Mr Michael Bryce, as Patron of the Friends of the ANU School of Music, hosted a recital evening for supporters and guests at Government House, Canberra.

The Governor-General received the President of the Australian Paralympic Committee, Mr Greg Hartung OAM, at Government House, Canberra.

Mr Hartung presented Ms Bryce a framed collection of photographs that were taken during her attendance at the 2012 Paralympics Games.