On Wednesday 7 November 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the former Director of the Australian War Memorial, Major General Steve Gower AO (Ret’d), and Ms Jane Gower.
On Monday 5 November 2012, at HMAS Cairns, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Commanding Officer, Commander Wendy Bullen ADC CSM RAN, received an operational briefing and met with the Armidale Class Patrol Boat crews of Ardent 3, Ardent 5 and Ardent 6, and the Survey Coast Ship HMAS Shepparton.
Afterwards, at Longreach Airport, the Governor-General welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall on the occasion of their visit to Australia to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Governor-General welcomed TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Australia at Longreach Airport, Queensland.
Ms Bryce was joined by HE Ms Penelope Wensley AC, Governor of Queensland, Mr Stuart McCosker, The Hon. Campbell Newman MP, Premier of Queensland, Mrs Lisa Newman, and Australian officials for the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses.
After their arrival, the Governor-General joined Their Royal Highnesses for a visit to the QANTAS Founders Museum where they viewed an emergency demonstration by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a new aircraft for the medical service, which caters for over 270,000 patients annually.
Later, the Governor-General addressed Their Royal Highnesses and formally welcomed them to Australia, to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Governor-General joined TRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for a visit the Stockman’s Hall of Fame (officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 1988) and Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach.
Later, Their Royal Highnesses, the Governor-General and the official delegation met members of the local and regional community gathered for a barbecue in recognition of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.
As Commander-in-Chief, the Governor-General visited HMAS Cairns and met personnel from patrol boat HMAS Bundaberg and surveying ship HMAS Shepparton.
The Governor-General received a briefing on the role and operations of the base and praised the personnel’s commitment to service.
On Sunday 4 November 2012, at St John’s Church, Cairns, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Minister, Reverend John Simons, attended a church service.
In the afternoon, the Governor-General hosted to lunch the Honourable Justice Stanley Jones AO.
In the evening, at the Hilton Hotel, the Governor-General attended a Civic Reception hosted in her honour by the Mayor of Cairns Regional Council, Councillor Bob Manning OAM.
In Cairns, the Governor-General attended a Civic Reception hosted by the Mayor, Councillor Bob Manning OAM, in honour of her visit to Far North Queensland.
The Governor-General met representatives of community organisations and groups working in a diverse range of important business, cultural, education and health roles.
On Saturday 3 November 2012, in Hope Vale, Queensland, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Manager, Mr Nathan Williamson, visited the Hope Vale Aged Care Facility and met with residents and staff.
Afterwards, at the Hope Vale Opportunity Hub, the Governor-General, as guest of the Manager, Ms Audrey Deemal, and Principal of the Cape York Australian Aboriginal Academy Hope Vale Campus, Ms Cheryl Cannon, attended a lunch with Indigenous community leaders and participants of the Cape York Partnerships’ Positive Parenting Program.
On a visit to Hope Vale, Far North Queensland, the Governor-General met local Indigenous women leaders and discussed their roles within the community.
Ms Bryce first visited residents of the Hope Vale Aged Care Facility before attending a lunch with the representatives of the Indigenous Women’s Leadership Program at the Hope Vale Opportunity Hub.
Later, the Governor-General visited homes involved with the Pride of Place program which supports small backyard renovations that instil pride and confidence in the community.