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Official Opening of the Tottenham Airstrip; NSW Department of Education and Training School Leaders Program; Triumverate’s 2012 ANZAC Reception; Council of the Medical Guild of St Luke; Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore

On Friday 27 April 2012, at Tottenham Airstrip, New South Wales, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, officially opened the newly refurbished airstrip.

In the afternoon, at Government House Sydney, the Administrator, in conjunction with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, hosted a School Leaders Program.

In the evening, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE hosted the Triumverate’s 2012 ANZAC Reception for members of the Joint Health Command Reserves.

Al Minhad Airbase Visit; Australian Consul-General Reception for Australian Business Council Dubai and Australian Academic Institutions

On Thursday 26 April 2012, at Al Minhad Airbase, Dubai, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guest of the Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633, Air Commodore Christopher Sewade, visited the base and met with Australian Defence Force personnel.

In the evening, at the Australian Consulate-General, Dubai, the Governor-General and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Consul-General, Mr Gerard Seeber, attended a reception for members of the Australian Business Council Dubai and representatives from Australian academic institutions.

Governor-General visits Al Minhad base in Dubai

In Dubai, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce visited the Al Minhad base to thank ADF personnel for their work in supporting and enabling Australia's troops in Afghanistan and other Middle East locations.

Several hundred staff, including logistics, finance, communications and other support positions joined the Governor-General for afternoon tea.

The visit followed Ms Bryce's participation in Anzac Day events at the ADF base in Tarin Kowt, and her meeting in Kabul with Afghan President Karzai on April 24th.

ANZAC Day Events

On Wednesday 25 April 2012, at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, attended an ANZAC Day Dawn Service.

Afterwards, at Pitt Street, Sydney, the Administrator was presented with a sprig of Rosemary by a Junior Legatee before leading the Sydney ANZAC Day March.

Later, from the steps of Town Hall, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, viewed the Sydney ANZAC Day March.

Governor-General visits Tarin Kowt school

During her visit to the ADF in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, the Governor-General travelled outside the compound to meet several hundred students and teachers at the Malilai Girls’ School.

The school has been developed with assistance from the Australian Government.

The ADF, as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Uruzgan province, helped to build the School, which has the capacity for 700 students.

There has been an increase in girls’ school enrolment from virtually zero under the Taliban, to over 2.5 million today.

The Administrator attends Anzac Day Dawn Service in Canberra

The Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia joined over 20,000 Canberra residents and visitors for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial.

Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, and the large crowd assembled, paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Australian Defence personnel.

Later in the day, the Administrator led the Anzac Day March in Sydney.

Charity Cook In; Memorial Service for the Late Master Hamish Martyr; Ceremonial Welcome; Meeting with President of Afghanistan; State Lunch; ISAF Australian Embeds; Dinner with Australian troops

On Tuesday 24 April 2012, at Our Big Kitchen, Bondi, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, joined university chaplains for a charity cook in.

Afterwards, at Knox Grammar, Wahroonga, the Administrator, as guest of the Headmaster, Mr John Weeks, attended a memorial service for Year 10 student and Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award recipient, the Late Master Hamish Martyr.

Governor-General visits ISAF headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan

During her visit to Kabul, the Governor-General attended a roundtable discussion with senior Afghanistan women and representatives of NGOs at the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force.

Ms Bryce also took the opportunity to meet representatives of the Australian Defence Force, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence Intelligence Organisation, Australian Federal Police and AusAID embedded with ISAF.