On Friday 16 March 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the Australian Ambassador to Italy, Mr David Ritchie AO.

On Thursday 15 March 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron, received the National Chairman Designate of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Australia the Honourable Shane Stone AC PGDK QC.

In the afternoon the Governor-General hosted an afternoon tea in support of the International Legal Services Advisory Council.

The Governor-General, as Patron of Special Olympics Australia, joined athletes and the NSW Premier, the Hon Barry O’Farrell MP at the Sydney Opera House for the announcement that the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games will be held in Newcastle, Australia in 2013.

On Wednesday 14 March 2012, at the Sydney Opera House, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron, attended an event for Special Olympics Australia to announce that Newcastle had been selected as the host city for the inaugural Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games in 2013.

Afterwards, at Brisbane International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the President of the Republic of Nauru, His Excellency the Honourable Sprent Dabwido MP, by Colonel Dennis Scanlan CSM RFD ADC, an Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

The Governor-General conducted the swearing-in of Senator the Honourable Bob Carr as Minister for Foreign Affairs during a ceremony at Government House, Canberra.

On Tuesday 13 March 2012, at Government House Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended a ceremony at which the Governor-General issued the Oath of Office and Executive Councillor to the newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Honourable Robert Carr.

On Commonwealth Day, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce joined representatives of Commonwealth countries at a church service at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra. The Governor-General delivered the Commonwealth Day message on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen during the service.

In recognition of the centenary of Canberra in 2013, the Governor-General and the ACT Chief Minister, Ms Katy Gallagher, planted two "Canberra Bells" correas in the native garden at Government House. The "Canberra Bells" correa is a native hybrid developed especially to mark the anniversary of the national capital. Ms Bryce was joined in the planting ceremony by Ms Gallagher's daughters, Abby and Evie. She was welcomed by the Creative Director for the Centenary of Canberra Unit, Ms Robyn Archer AO.

On Monday 12 March 2012, at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Barton, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended the Commonwealth Day Celebration Service ‘Connecting Cultures’, at which the Governor-General read Her Majesty The Queen’s Commonwealth Day Message.

Afterwards, in the gardens of Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce hosted a planting ceremony, at which the Governor-General planted the ‘Canberra Bells’ in recognition of Canberra’s Centenary in 2013.

After a week of rain, the sun came out in time for the Governor-General to open the 137th annual Cooma Show, at the foot of the Snowy Mountains. The town's Showground was teeming with farmers enjoying a good season. Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce caught up with showgoers while viewing some of the displays in the pavilion and the sheep judging. The Governor-General awarded the coveted blue ribbon to an 18 month old ram carrying the superfine wool for which the region is renowned.