On Wednesday 23 July 2014, following the departure from Australia of the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR.

Afterwards, at Eindhoven Air Force Base, The Netherlands, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove met with Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, representing all Australians, join dignitaries including Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, His Excellency Mark Rutte, and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, to officially receive the first caskets of the victims of the MH17 air disaster, at a repatriation ceremony at Eindhoven Air Force Base in the Netherlands.

On Tuesday 22 July 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the General Secretary of Rhodes Trust Australia, Professor Graham Hutchinson AM and the Honorary Secretary of Rhodes Trust ACT and Australia-at-Large, Ms Karen Holt.

Later, at Parliament House, Canberra, the Governor-General attended a ceremony to sign the National Condolence Book in support and sympathy of those killed on flight MH 17.

At Parliament House, Canberra, the Governor-General joined the Prime Minister, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, members of the Diplomatic Corps, other dignitaries and members of the public for a ceremony to mark the signing of a Condolence Book for the victims of Flight MH17.

The Governor-General’s message reads: “With deepest sympathy to all those lost and to their loved ones. Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General.”

On Monday 21 July 2014, at Government House, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove hosted a morning tea for General Sir Phillip Bennett AC KBE DSO and Lady Bennett.

Afterwards, at Hobart Federation Concert Hall, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended the State Funeral for the late the Honourable Peter Underwood AC.

On Sunday 20 July 2014, at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove attended a church service in memory of the Australians who lost their lives in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 disaster.

On Friday 18 July 2014, at Lovett Tower, Woden, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as a guest of the Secretary, Mr Simon Lewis PSM, visited the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and received a brief on World War I centenary commemorative events.

In the evening, at Melbourne International Airport, the Governor-General was represented at the arrival in Australia of the President of the Republic of Fiji, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, by Colonel William Monfries CSC ADC, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Thursday 17 July 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) received the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC.

In the evening, at the Canberra Theatre, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the Chair of Bangarra Dance Theatre, Ms Larissa Behrendt, attended the Opening Night of ‘Patyegarang’.

Earlier, at Government House, Canberra, Lady Cosgrove hosted a musical reception for the spouses of Heads of Mission of the Diplomatic Corps.

On Wednesday 16 July 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) received Superintendent Ben Cartwright, Sergeant Rod Anderson, Sergeant Ron Melis, Sergeant Mick Gordon, and Acting Sergeant Nathan Nallo from Traffic Operations, ACT Policing.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received from Her Excellency Ms Ioanna Malliotis, Letters of Commission accrediting her as the High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Mr Andreas Hadjithemistos (First Secretary).

On Thursday 10 July 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as joint Patrons, hosted a morning tea for Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre staff.

Later, Lady Cosgrove, as Patron, received the President of the Klavier Music Association, Ms Jennifer Rowland; the Vice President, Ms Kerry Watson; and the Secretary, Ms Christine McLennan.