The Governor-General, as Patron of UN Women Australia, joined over 1700 guests for an International Women’s Day breakfast at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour.

Guests viewed video messages from Ms Bryce, the Prime Minister, Hon. Julia Gillard MP, and Australia’s Global Ambassador for Women and Girls, Ms Penny Williams.

ABC journalist, Ms Sally Sara, gave the guest address and spoke about her experiences as a female foreign correspondent working in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday 6 March 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE hosted an afternoon tea to launch the 2012 Mother’s Day Classic.

Earlier, at the National Gallery of Australia, Mr Bryce launched the portrait of the Hohepa Te Umuroa 1846 by William Duke.

The Governor-General, as Patron, marked the 15th anniversary of the Women in Super Mother’s Day Classic with event supporters at Government House, Canberra.

Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce hosted over 80 guests to celebrate the event’s success in raising funds for breast cancer research, with over $10.8 million collected since 1998.

Mr Michael Bryce officially launched a portrait by his great great-grandfather and artist, William Duke, at the National Gallery of Australia.

The portrait, painted in 1846, is of Maori Warrior Chief Hohepa Te Umuroa. The painting is recognised as one of the few known sitting portraits of a Maori Chief in the aftermath of the Maori Wars.

Mr Bryce was joined by the National Gallery of Australia Director, Mr Ron Radford, Head of Australian Art, Ms Anna Gray, and staff members from the Gallery at the launch.

On Monday 5 March 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard MP.

Afterwards, the Governor-General signed instruments of appointment of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to their respective new offices.

The Governor-General administered the Oaths or Affirmations of Office to Government Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries during a swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Canberra.

On Sunday 4 March 2012, at Coogee Beach, New South Wales, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE participated in Clean Up Australia Day activities.

Afterwards, at the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, the Governor-General as Patron, and Mr Bryce, as guests of the Chief Executive Officer of Surf Life Saving Australia, Mr Brett Williamson OAM, met with local surf life savers.

Marking Clean Up Australia Day, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce joined surf life savers and members of the public at Coogee Beach, Sydney, to assist in cleaning-up the beach front.

Ms Bryce, who is Patron of Surf Life Saving Australia, also paid a visit to local members on duty at the beach.

On Friday 2 March 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron, hosted a reception for the National Breast Cancer Foundation and presented the 2011 Patron’s Awards.

On Thursday 1 March 2012, at the Sydney Town Hall, the Administrator, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE, attended the ‘Sea of Blue’ street march to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the New South Wales Police Force, at which the Administrator received the official salute.

Earlier, in Queenstown, New Zealand, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Chairman, Sir Eion Edgar DCNZM and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charlie Phillips, visited the Queenstown Resort College.