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.
The Governor-General met Cooktown community members during an event hosted by Mayor, Councillor Peter Scott, at the James Cook Museum.
The museum was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 1970 and houses historical artefacts including one of the anchors of the ‘Endeavour’.
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 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 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.
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: