On Thursday 26 July 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received from His Excellency Mr Reha Keskintepe, Letters of Credence accrediting him as Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms Sibel Müderrisoğlu (First Counsellor), Mr Taylan Özgür Aydin (Second Secretary) and Colonel Sadik Cebeci (Military Attaché).
The Governor-General paid tribute to the work of individuals reshaping the futures of vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians during a dinner marking Social Ventures Australia’s 10th anniversary.
Speaking at the Sydney Town Hall, Ms Bryce praised the organisation’s work and its CEO, Mr Michael Traill AM, who she described as representing the best of social entrepreneurship.
On Tuesday 24 July 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, hosted a lunch in honour of the Director of Museo del Prado, Mr Miguel Zugaza. Guests included: Mrs Rebecca Bleich, Ms Louise Doyle, Dr Gabrielle Finaldi, Ms Carol Henry, and Dr Ron Radford AM.
On Monday 23 July 2012, at the Southern Cross Club, Phillip, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Founder and Chair of the Alola Foundation, Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão, attended the launch of the 2012 Alola Milk Campaign.
Afterwards, at the Embassy of Timor-Leste, the Governor-General, as guest of the Ambassador of Timor-Leste, Mr Abel Guterres and Mrs Ana Paula Guterres, attended a morning tea for ambassadorial spouses.
The Governor-General joined Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão, Founder and Chair of Timor-Leste not-for-profit organisation Alola, His Excellency Mr Abel Guterres, Ambassador of Timor-Leste, and guests for the launch of the Alola MILK Campaign at the Woden Southern Cross Club in Canberra.
The campaign, held during World Breastfeeding Week, encourages Australians to support mothers and babies of Timor-Leste by hosting MILK fundraising events.
On Saturday 21 July 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, welcomed the Founder and Chair of the Alola Foundation, Ms Kirsty Sword Gusmão as a houseguest.
On Friday 20 July 2012, at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Bendigo, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the convenors, Ms Robyn Russell and Ms Jacqueline McArthur, attended the Women of Wool Lunch, and delivered an address.
Afterwards, as guest of the President of the Australian Sheep Breeders Association, Mr Ross McGauchie, the Governor-General met with competitors and patrons of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show, and presented awards for the Champion Australian Fleece, the Champion Victorian Marino Pair, and to the Junior Sheep Breeder winners.
The Governor-General joined Women of Wool at a lunch on the 135th anniversary of the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo, Victoria.
After the lunch, Ms Bryce presented Show awards for the Champion Australian Fleece, the Champion Merino Pair, and gave ribbons to School Junior Sheep Breeder winners.
The Governor-General joined parents and students to mark the 130th anniversary of the Methodist Ladies College at a dinner at the Melbourne Cricket Club.
Ms Bryce discussed the schools distinguished history since 1882 in an address to 200 people.
The Governor-General joined families and relatives of some of the over 5500 Australian soldiers who were killed or injured during the World War I Battle of Fromelles, France, for the annual commemorative service held beside ‘Cobbers’ statue at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
The battle, which remains the single bloodiest 24 hours in Australian history, was fought on the morning of 19 July 1916.