The Governor-General saw the devastating impact of recent bushfires around the Warrumbungle Shire during a visit to Coonabarabran in north west New South Wales.

Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce attended a community barbecue with residents of some of the 51 homes and 113 farm buildings affected by the bushfires.

Later, the Governor-General visit to the Australian Astronomical Observatory at Siding Springs, which suffered damage to buildings but its telescopes were spared from the catastrophic fire.

BlazeAid volunteers assisting with the bushfire recovery effort in Coonabarabran met the Governor-General during her recent visit to the region.

Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce visited a bushfire-affected farming property and saw the new fencing being built by BlazeAid volunteers.

Later, the Governor-General joined 70 volunteers at the Coonabarabran Showgrounds.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce met SES, Rural Fire Service and Volunteer Rescue Association personnel during a visit to the Association’s facility in bushfire-affected Coonabarabran, in north western NSW.

On Sunday 17 February 2013, in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Mayor of the Wagga Wagga City Council, Councillor Rod Kendall, launched the Junior Teams World Championship Gumi Race, and met with crew members.

Afterwards, in North Wagga Wagga, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE met with community members and visited local residents affected by the 2012 floods.

The Governor-General sounded the horn for the start of the Junior Teams Gumi Race during a visit to Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Ms Bryce, who was revisiting the community after the 2012 floods, joined the locals for the annual rubber tube race down the Murrumbidgee River.

Later, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce presented trophies and medallions to the winning entrants, including teams from the Australian Defence Force, at a community barbecue at Wagga Beach.

Residents recovering from the 2012 floods in North Wagga were revisited by the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce.

Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce met residents at a newly built community park, before visiting homes to see ongoing recovery efforts.

In 2012, over 250 homes were inundated after the Murrumbidgee River peaked at 10.5 metres. Emergency services personnel and council workers responded to the natural disaster, which caused over $500 million worth of damage to property and infrastructure.

The Governor-General met youth leaders and Wiradjuri elders during a visit to the Ngurra Youth Hub in Wagga Wagga.

Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce were welcomed with traditional Indigenous performances by the dance group Maliyaa before joining discussions with the elders.

Agricultural scientific facilities at Charles Sturt University were the focus of a visit by the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce to the Wagga Wagga campus.

Ms Bryce was greeted by Professor Andrew Vann, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University, Professor Deirdre Lemerle, Director EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and senior staff and scientists before viewing the Rhyziolysimeter Laboratory.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce hosted a community reception at the Council Chambers to mark a year since the 2012 floods affected Wagga Wagga.

On Saturday 16 February 2013, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Chair of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Emeritus Professor Deane Terrell AO, attended the 2013 Shell Prom Concert.