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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

On Sunday 21 October 2012, at the Australasian Hotel, Goolwa, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as Patron, officiated at the 2012 Regional Arts Australia Awards.

Afterwards, 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 Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Sprent Dabwido MP, by Commander Theodore Wynberg ADC RAN, Honourary Aide-de-camp.

On Saturday 20 October 2012, at the City Recital Hall, Sydney, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of Board Member of the Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge Foundation, Mr Duncan Kinnon, attended a performance of Handel’s Rodelinda, directed by Mr Richard Bonynge AC CBE, in memory of the late Dame Joan Sutherland.

Afterwards, at the Australasian Hotel, Goolwa, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as Patron, attended a dinner with Regional Arts Australia Board Members.

On Friday 19 October 2012, at Mission Australia, Camperdown, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Australia Housing, Mr Andrew McAnulty, met with staff and residents at the Common Ground project.

Afterwards, at SydWest Multicultural Services, Blacktown, the Governor-General, as guest of the Coordinator, Ms Yatta Quetee, attended a lunch with the African Sisters on the Move.