On Tuesday 28 August 2012, at Parliament House, Sydney, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, as guest of the Chair of the Shepherd Centre, Mr Michael Shepherd, attended the Australian Father of the Year Lunch.

Afterwards, at the Paralympic Village, London, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the President of the Australian Paralympic Committee, Mr Greg Hartung OAM and Mrs Maureen Hartung, viewed the Paralympic Village and attended a lunch with Australian athletes.

The Governor-General praised the extraordinary support given to Australian Paralympians during a reception for family, friends and supporters in London.

Addressing guests at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Ms Bryce described the Games as empowering for the athletes and “a source of courage and inspiration” for all Australians.

On the eve of the London Paralympic Games, the Governor-General, as Patron of the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC), and Mr Michael Bryce met and subsequently led members of the Australian team for the Welcome and Flag Raising Ceremony at the Paralympic Village.

Mr Greg Hartung OAM, President of the APC, welcomed Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce to the Village before escorting them through the Australian team’s offices and health facilities.

Later, the Governor-General joined Australian athletes and team staff for lunch at the Village Dining Hall.

On Sunday 26 August 2012, at the Australian High Commissioner’s Residence, Singapore, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE met with the former President of Singapore, Mr S.R. Nathan and Mrs Nathan.

On Saturday 25 August 2012, following the departure of the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO to lead Australia’s representation at the London Paralympic Games, followed by a State Visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, the proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

On Friday 24 August 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, hosted a lunch in honour of the Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Ms Michelle Bachelet AC.

On Thursday 23 August 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the Chairman of Youngcare, Mr David Conry.

On Wednesday 22 August 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, received from Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Halaevalu Mata’aho Napua Okalani Tuku’aho, Letters of Commission accrediting her as High Commissioner for the Kingdom of Tonga. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Taueli Falekava Kupu (First Secretary) and Mr Leonaitasi Kuluni (First Secretary).

Ms Michelle Bachelet AC, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, was appointed an honorary Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra.

Ms Bachelet received the honorary AC for her eminent service to developing Australia-Chile bilateral relations, and for outstanding global leadership in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

She was the first woman to be elected Head of State in Latin America, serving as Chile’s President between 2006 and 2010.

On Tuesday 21 August 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Earlier, the Governor-General, as Patron of HeartKids Australia, received the Chair, Mr Brian Pereira; the Vice Chair, Dr Anne Fletcher; the Chief Executive Officer, Ms Jann Kingston; and the Treasurer, Mr Matt Tognini.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, His Excellency Mr Cornelis Andreae and Mrs Christine Gervoson de Sierven.