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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
On Saturday 10 March 2012, at Cooma Show Grounds, New South Wales, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE attended the 2012 Cooma Show, at which the Governor-General, as Patron of Australian Year of the Farmer, officially opened the show.
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.
On Friday 9 March 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the Director of Media Affairs and Brand Development, Australian Consolidated Press Magazines, Ms Deborah Thomas.
Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE hosted a lunch reception for Women’s Ex-Service Organisations.
On Thursday 8 March 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
In the evening, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE hosted a reception in recognition of International Women’s Day.