The Governor-General met key representatives of organisations supporting the Cape York Agenda and saw their work in action during a visit to Cairns.

At the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, Ms Bryce received briefings from the CEO of the Institute, Mr Duncan Murray, the CEO of the Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy, Ms Danielle Toon, the CEO of the Cape York Program, Ms Bernadine Denigan, and Chairman of Balkanu – Cape York Development Corporation, Mr Richard Aken.

On Friday 2 November 2012, at the Cape York Institute, Cairns, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chief Executive Officer of the Cape York Aboriginal Australia Academy, Ms Danielle Toon, received a briefing on the Cape York Agenda.

Afterwards, at Djarragun College, Gordonvale, the Governor-General as guest of the Principal, Mr Kim Bannikoff, met with students and teachers and presented awards.

In the evening, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns, the Governor-General attended a dinner with participants of the Cape York Leaders Program.

The Governor-General encouraged students of Cairns State High School to follows their dreams and ambitions during a speech at the school's annual Presentation Night in Queensland.

Arriving at Cairns Convention Centre, Ms Bryce was met by school Principal Mrs Angela Toppin before joining hundreds of students and their families for the evening's event.

The Governor-General presented awards to the Dux of years 10, 11 and 12 following her address to the students.

Corporal Daniel Alan Keighran VC was invested today as the recipient of Australia’s 99th Victoria Cross.

As Commander-in-Chief, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, pinned the historic medal on Corporal Keighran in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister of Defence, the Chief Justice of Australia, parliamentary representatives, the Chief of the Australian Defence Force and other senior personnel at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House, Canberra.

Corporal Keighran’s Official Citation reads:

On Thursday 1 November 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted a ceremony at which the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief, invested Corporal Daniel Keighran VC with the insignia of the Victoria Cross for Australia.

On Monday 29 October 2012, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO was represented at the departure from Australia of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Sprent Dabwido MP, by Commander Lachlan King ADC RAN, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Saturday 27 October 2012, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO was represented at the arrival in Australia of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Sprent Dabwido MP, by Colonel Michael Miller RFD ADC, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Friday 26 October 2012, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO was represented at the departure from Australia of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, by Captain Jay Bannister ADC RAN, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Thursday 25 October 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, as Patron, hosted a lunch for the Global Foundation. Guests included: Ms Maria Atkinson AM; Ms Adie Dawes-Birch; Mr Steve Howard; Ms Sam Mostyn; Ms May Ngui; Ms Jeanne Pratt AC; Mr Fergus Ryan AO; and Dr Tony Warren.

In the evening, the Governor-General hosted a reception for the Institute of Glycomics.

The Governor-General, as National Patron of the Children’s Week Council of Australia, hosted ACT Children's Week award recipients at Government House, Canberra.

After several musical items performed by the Arunda String Ensemble, Ms Bryce congratulated this year’s recipients and spoke highly of the important work done by the Council in promoting the needs, rights and achievements of children in the wider community.