On Wednesday 6 February 2013, at St Martin’s Anglican Church, Dunalley, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Mayor of Sorrell Council, Councillor Kerry Vincent, received a briefing on the recent fires and emergency response by Commander Peter Edwards of Tasmania Police, and Chief Officer Mike Brown of the Tasmania Fire Service.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, as guest of the owners, Mr Ray Schwanke and Ms Sue Madden, viewed the fire damage to Blue Lagoon Oysters.

The Governor-General heard residents’ stories of the devastating 3 January fires that razed homes, a school and police station during a visit to Dunalley, Tasmania.

The Mayor of Sorell, Councillor Kerry Vincent, escorted Ms Bryce to properties across the town, including the local primary school, now under reconstruction.

The Governor-General also visited Murdunna and met local fire fighter Luke Millar and his wife Anita and their children, before hosting lunch at the Murraville Golf Club in Dunalley.

On Tuesday 5 February 2013, at Wilkins Aerodrome, Antarctica, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, Dr Tony Fleming, and Wilkins Aerodrome Manager, Mr Jeff Hadley, met with Australian Antarctic expeditioners.

Afterwards, the Governor-General viewed a remote field camp and met with expeditioners undertaking field operations.

Marking the Centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, the Governor-General made history as the first Governor-General to visit Antarctica.

Ms Bryce landed at Wilkins Aerodrome in the Casey region and was joined by the Director of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), Dr Tony Fleming.

The Governor-General was welcomed to the southern continent by Casey Station Leader, Mr Allan Cooney and fellow expeditioners, including Australian Antarctic Medal recipients Ms Sharon Labudda AAM and Mr Matt Filipowski AAM.

The Governor-General met expeditioners at a remote field camp as part of her historic visit to Antarctica.

Ms Bryce received a briefing from Australian Antarctic Division expeditioners on their operations and their methods of survival, including the use of Polar Pyramid Tents.

Later, the Manager of the Wilkins Aerodrome, Mr Jeff Hadley, escorted the Governor-General through facilities used by expedition members and staff at the Antarctic runway.

The Governor-General used an ice-pick to break a sheet of ice and unveil a plaque commemorating her Antarctica visit marking the Centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Speaking to expeditioners and Wilkins Aerodrome staff, Ms Bryce praised the work of the world-leading Australian scientists and logistics staff who followed in the footsteps of Australian explorers like Sir Douglas Mawson.

After the unveiling, the Governor-General met the expeditioners from Casey Station and scientists involved in international research within the Australian Antarctic Territory.

On Monday 4 February 2013, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Michael Bryce AM AE, 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.

At Government House in Canberra, the Governor-General conducted a swearing-in ceremony for Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. The Hon.Christopher Bowen MP was sworn in as Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Minister for Small Business; the Hon. Mark Butler MP was sworn in as Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister for Housing and Homelessness; the Hon. Brendan O'Connor MP was sworn in as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship;the Hon.

On Friday 1 February 2013, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Mayor of Clarence Valley Council, Councillor Richie Williamson, viewed flood affected areas of Grafton and the surrounding district.

Afterwards, in Copmanhurst, the Governor-General received a briefing on the recent flood and later met with flood affected residents.

Then, the Governor-General, as guest of the Principal, Mr Andrew Patterson, met with students and teachers at Copmanhurst Public School.

The Governor-General met community members in Grafton, New South Wales, and the local village of Copmanhurst, which experienced extensive flooding last month.

Ms Bryce arrived at Copmanhurst Public School with Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Councillor Ritchie Williamson, and met flood-affected residents and children.

Later, the Governor-General extended her thanks to SES emergency workers and Salvation Army volunteers during a BBQ at the SES headquarters.