On Tuesday 23 December 2014, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) received the Prime Minister, the Honourable Tony Abbott MP.

Afterwards, the Governor-General presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council and signed the instruments re-naming Departments of State. Then, the Governor-General signed instruments of appointment of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to their respective new offices.

At Government House, Canberra, ACT, the Governor-General presided at a ceremony to issue the Oaths and Affirmation of Office and Executive Councillor Oaths to newly appointed Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.

On Monday 22 December 2014, at Fleet Base East, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as Patron, and Lady Cosgrove met the crew and families of the STS Young Endeavour before she deployed for her 2015 World Voyage.

At Fleet Base East, Sydney, NSW, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove farewelled the crew of the STS Young Endeavour before the ship departed on her 2015 World Voyage.

On Sunday 21 December 2014, at St James’ Anglican Church, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) and Lady Cosgrove attended the St James’ Christmas Service, at which the Governor-General read the Ninth Lesson, ‘St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation’.

On Thursday 18 December 2014, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), as Patron, and Lady Cosgrove, hosted a reception for the Australian Rugby Foundation.

At Admiralty House, Sydney, NSW, the Governor-General, as Patron, and Lady Cosgrove hosted a reception for the Australian Rugby Foundation.

On Wednesday 17 December 2014, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), received Mr Bill Hyland and Mr Leigh Hyland.

Afterwards, at the Sydney Police Centre, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the NSW Police Commissioner, Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM, met with members of the NSW Police Force to acknowledge all of those involved in the operation around the Martin Place siege.

At the Sydney Police Centre, NSW, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, as guests of the NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM, met with members of the NSW Police Force to acknowledge all of those involved in the operation around the Martin Place siege.

On Tuesday 16 December 2014, in Martin Place, Sydney, the Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), and Lady Cosgrove, laid a floral tribute in memory of the Martin Place siege victims.

Afterwards, at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove attended a Mass in honour of the victims of the Martin Place siege.

Later, at Admiralty House, the Governor-General received the former Secretary to the Indian Department of External Affairs, Ambassador Vijay Kumar and Dr Vrinda Kumar.