On Wednesday 11 April 2012, following the departure of the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO on a State Visit to the Philippines, 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.

Afterwards, at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE attended the State Funeral for the late Honourable Lionel Bowen AC.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce arrived in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, to begin a State Visit at the invitation of President His Excellency Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III.

The Governor-General was escorted through an Honour Guard by the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Major General Lauro Catalino de la Cruz.

Ms Bryce is the first Australian Governor-General to undertake a State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines.

On Tuesday 10 April 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received year 12 student from Seymour College, Adelaide, Miss Eleanor Whisson.

On Thursday 5 April 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted an afternoon tea for the George Institute for Global Health, at which the Governor-General, as Patron, launched the documentary ‘Tristan Story’.

In Sydney, the Governor-General officially opened the 2012 Royal Easter Show at the Royal Agricultural Society's showgrounds in Homebush. As Patron of the Australian Year of the Farmer, Ms Bryce visited the YOF Roadshow to chat with young patrons at the painting tables, and young farmers with their baby animals.

In Sydney, the Governor-General joined members of the George Institute for Global Health and supporters of research into Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder to launch "Tristan's Story", which looks at the life of a 12 year old boy with FASD from Fitzroy Valley in remote Western Australia. Tristan, his carers, Ms Marmingee Hand and Mr Geoff Davis and their grandchildren, travelled to Admiralty House to watch the half hour documentary, which will be presented to the United Nations later this year.

On Wednesday 4 April 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received year six students from Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School, Miss Alena Freiheit and Miss Kirstin Ross.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, as Patron, received the Executive Director of the Australia Centre for Leadership for Women, Ms Diann Rodgers-Healey.

In the evening the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted a dinner in honour of the outgoing Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Mrs Heather Ridout.

Mr Michael Bryce joined spouses of foreign Heads of Mission for a morning tea at Government House, Canberra.

Art Gallery of New South Wales; Meeting with the President and Tree Planting Ceremony; Meeting with the Speaker; Island Food Community of Pohnpei; Pacific Patrol Boat Site; Ceremonial Welcome Solomon Islands; Meeting with the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands; Women's Leadership Forum "Stori Weitem Olketa Meri"; West Are Are Rokotanikeni Association Book Launch; Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands.

During the first State Visit by an Australian Governor-General to the Federated States of Micronesia, Ms Bryce called on the President, His Excellency Mr Emanuel Mori.

Ms Bryce and President Mori discussed the important relationship between both countries, before participating in a tree planting ceremony.

Later, the Governor-General met the Speaker of the Federated States of Micronesia, Mr Isaac Figir, at Congress.