On Tuesday 25 September 2012, at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chancellor, Professor Peter Shergold AC, was conferred with a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, and delivered the occasional address at the graduation ceremony.

In the evening, at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as Patron and guest speaker, attended a reception for the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

The Governor-General was conferred with the award of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, during a Graduation Ceremony at the University of Western Sydney’s Parramatta campus.

After receiving her testamur, the Governor-General gave the occasional address to graduating students and urged them to use their voices to make a difference throughout their professional lives.

On Sunday 23 September 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron, received Yalari students from Canberra Girls Grammar School.

Afterwards, the Governor-General hosted a recital for the Southern Cross Soloists.

On Friday 21 September 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended, and the Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, conducted an Investiture Ceremony.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the High Commissioner-designate to Vanuatu, Mr Jeremy Bruer.

Later, the Governor-General received the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Mr Mick Gooda.

During a ceremony at Government House in Canberra, the Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, invested 32 recipients with Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The Honourable Peter Beattie AC, Professor and the Honourable Gareth Evans AC, Professor Ian Frazer AC, the Honourable Robert Hill AC and the Honourable Chief Justice Wayne Martin AC were appointed Companions in the General Division of the Order of Australia.

After the ceremony, Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce joined recipients and their guests for a reception after the ceremony.

On Thursday 20 September 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended, and the Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, conducted Investiture Ceremonies.

The Governor-General, as Chancellor of the Order of Australia, invested 54 recipients with Queen’s Birthday Honours and a Bravery Award at Government House, Canberra.

In the morning, the Honourable Justice Virginia Bell AC, Professor Stephen Hopper AC and the Honourable Joan Kirner AC were appointed Companions in the General Division of the Order of Australia for their eminent service to the judiciary, science and the Parliament of Victoria respectively.

On Wednesday 19 September 2012, at Government House, Mr Michael Bryce AM AE received the former Chief Executive Officer of the International Cricket Council, Mr Malcolm Speed.

Earlier, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, was represented at the transit through Australia of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge by the Official Secretary, Mr Stephen Brady CVO.

On Tuesday 18 September 2012, at Government House, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO hosted a lunch for the African women participants of the AusAID Australian Leadership Awards and the Leadership for Development Conference.

The Governor-General hosted an event for African women leaders of the future at Government House, Canberra.

Ms Bryce met 10 recipients of the 2012 AusAID Australian Leadership Awards, currently studying in Australia.

Each year, 200 recipients of AusAID’s Development Award Scholarships are selected to receive the supplementary Award, which aims to develop leadership skills and create links between developing countries and Australia.