On Wednesday 24 October 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr Bill Tweddell.
Afterwards the Governor-General hosted a Ceremonial Welcome for the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III.
The Governor-General met staff, volunteers and clients during a visit to Metro Migrant Resource Centre (MMRC) in Campsie in Sydney.
The Centre’s CEO, Ms Esta Pachalidis-Chilas, took Ms Bryce on a tour of its offices before they joined representatives of the organisation for a roundtable discussion and briefing on the programs and services offered by the MMRC.
Students at Chifley College in Mount Druitt had an opportunity to discuss their career aims and ambitions with the Governor-General during her visit to the school.
Ms Bryce met 12 students engaged in Smith Family children support programs, including mentoring and career pathway development services.
A community service provider dedicated to improving the quality of life for women in the Mt Druitt area since 1982 received a special visit from the Governor-General.
Ms Bryce met staff and clients of the Women’s Activities and Self Help House before joining them for discussion about how the service reduces the impact of poverty, social disadvantage and violence in women’s lives.
The Governor-General, as National Patron, launched National Kidsafe Day 2012 at the Glenmore Park Child and Family Centre.
Ms Bryce was met by the President of Kidsafe, Mr Peter Gibson, and Kidsafe Council member, Dr Julie Brown, before the launch. She presented the National Playspace Design Awards, which recognise the creation of safe space for children to play in across Australia.
On Tuesday 23 October 2012, at Glenmore Park Child and Family Centre, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron and guest of the President of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia, Mr Peter Gibson, launched National 2012 Kidsafe Day.
Afterwards, at the Women’s Activities and Self Help House, Mt Druitt, the Governor-General, as guest of Board Member, Ms Jo Fuller, met with women and staff members.
The Governor-General was welcomed by university staff and Indigenous elders to the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education during a visit to the University of Western Sydney’s Blacktown Campus.
Ms Bryce met the university’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Janice Reid AM, before joining local elders, staff and Indigenous students to discuss their experiences at the Centre.
Years seven to 12 students met the Governor-General during her visit to Arthur Phillip High School in Parramatta.
The school Principal, Ms Lynne Goodwin, and Deputy Principal, Mr Bradley Main, met Ms Bryce before she joined members of the Student Representative Council for informal discussions on their experiences at the school.
Later, the Governor-General was escorted into the Old School House Museum and shown examples of technological teaching initiatives being undertaken at the school.
The Governor-General, as a Special Ambassador of Cancer Australia, and Mr Michael Bryce joined hundreds of women and men for the Pink Ribbon Breakfast in support of women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Speaking to breakfast guests, Ms Bryce said she respected and admired those working to fight the disease, which connects everybody in some way.
Other speakers at the event included the CEO of Cancer Australia, Professor Helen Zorbas, and the first breast cancer survivor to climb Mount Everest, Ms Sharon Cohrs.
On Monday 22 October 2012, at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Australia, Professor Helen Zorbas, attended the annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast at which the Governor-General gave an address.
