In Darwin, the Governor-General joined around 5,000 people at a Commemorative Service to remember the 243 people who died when the Japanese bombed Darwin on February the 19th, 1942. The Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, and the Lord Mayor of Darwin, the Right Worshipful Mr Graeme Sawyer spoke about the civilians who died on that day 70 years ago, as well as the military personnel and the 89 crew of the USS Peary.

As part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce paid tribute to the crew of the USS Peary, which was bombed and sank in Darwin Harbour. Of the 243 people who died on February 19th, 1942, 89 of them were aboard the USS Peary. Ms Bryce was joined in commemorating the bombing by the Ambassador of the United States, His Excellency Mr Jeffrey Bleich, and the Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP.

On Saturday 18 February 2012, at East Point Reserve, Darwin, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Honourable Paul Henderson MLA, attended a ceremony at which the Governor-General and Chief Minister officially opened the Defence of Darwin Experience.

As part of her visit to Darwin to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing of the city, the Governor-General officially opened the Defence of Darwin Experience at the Darwin Military Museum Precinct. The new, purpose-built museum, involves the visitor in an interactive journey beginning on February the 19th, 1942. On that day, 243 people died during a wave of bombing by Japanese Zero aircraft - many of them Americans based in the port.

On Thursday 16 February 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the Chair of A Canberra Housing Proposal Limited, Professor Stephen Bartos, and Director of A Canberra Housing Proposal Limited, Ms Elizabeth Dawson.

On Wednesday 15 February 2012, at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chief Executive Officer of the Organ and Tissue Authority, Ms Yael Cass, launched DonateLife Week 2012 and presented the DonateLife ‘Book of Life’ to the National Library of Australia.

The Governor-General received the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, His Excellency Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, at Government House in Canberra.

The Governor-General launched DonateLife Week 2012 at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

Ms Bryce was joined by NRL DonateLife champions, Organ and Tissue Authority representatives and members of the Brennan family, who shared their personal story to help raise public awareness about organ and tissue donations.

After the launch, the Governor-General presented the DonateLife Book of Life to the Director-General of the National Library of Australia, Ms Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, which will be added to the Library’s collection.

On Tuesday 14 February 2012, at Albert Park, Melbourne the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the founder of the Lighthouse Foundation, Ms Susan Barton AM, attended the Foundation’s Annual Valentine’s Day Lunch for Women, at which the Governor-General gave an address.

The Governor-General, as Patron of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, presented scholarships to nine 2012 recipients at The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne.

The recipients were selected on their demonstrated and potential leadership contribution to their fields of study.

The 2012 recipients include Ms Anita George, Mr Ashley Kingsborough, Mr Christopher Lowe, Ms Claudia Newman-Martin, Mr Fergus Green, Mr Iwan Walters, Ms Kate Griffiths, Ms Madeline Gleeson, and Dr Sam Brophy-Williams.