On Tuesday 23 April 2013, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Special Visits Program, received the Advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Lebanon, Mr Ziad Mikati.

Afterwards, in Penrith, the Administrator, as Patron, officially opened the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre.

The Governor-General was welcomed to East New Britain Province on the second day of a State Visit to Papua New Guinea.

Ms Bryce was ceremonially welcomed to Kokopo before visiting the Butuwin Urban Clinic, which provides general medical services to residents in the region.

During the visit, the Governor-General presented the Sister in Charge of the Clinic, Sister Connie Wuki, with medical supplies on behalf of the people of Australia.

Over 1000 students received a special visit from the Governor-General when she arrived at Kokopo Primary School.

After being welcomed by students and teachers, Ms Bryce addressed a school assembly and presented new books to the School Captains.

The Governor-General was invited to plant a tree to commemorate her visit and later met students in their classrooms.

The Governor of East New Britain Province, the Hon Leo Dion and the Governor-General attended a lunch in Kokopo in honour of her visit

Marking the historic defence links between Australian and Papua New Guinea, the Governor-General laid a wreath at the Rabaul ‘Bita Paka’ War Cemetery in honour of the Australian military personnel and local civilians who died alongside each other during World War II.

Australian Defence Force member Lieutenant-Colonel Steve McConnell welcomed Ms Bryce to the War Cemetery and escorted her to the graves of Able Seaman G V Williams, Australia’s first casualty of World War I, and Sister Verdun Sheah, who died in an RAAF aircraft accident in 1945.

On Monday 22 April 2013, following the departure of the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO to undertake a State Visit to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

Afterwards, in the Stranger’s Dining Room, Parliament House, Sydney, the Administrator attended the Barnardo’s Australia Mother of the Year 2013 NSW State Awards Ceremony.

On the first day of her State Visit to Papua New Guinea, the Governor-General was welcomed with a 21-gun salute at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby.

Ms Bryce inspected a Guard of Honour and viewed a traditional performance by local school children.

As part of the visit to Papua New Guinea, the Governor-General will commemorate ANZAC Day on the Kokoda Track and at the Bomana War Cemetery Dawn Service in Port Moresby.

The Governor-General was formally welcomed to Papua New Guinea by Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Michael Ogio, at Government House in Port Moresby.

Later, Sir Michael hosted a State Dinner at Parliament House in honour of the Governor-General’s visit.

The Governor-General met the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon Peter O’Neill MP, in Port Moresby.

Following the meeting, Ms Bryce, on behalf of the Australian Government, gave the Prime Minister climate data requested by the Papua New Guinea Office of Climate Change and Development.

The data will enable the Papua New Guinea Government to manage and adapt to the impact of climate change on coastal areas.

At the Hohola Youth Development Centre in Port Moresby, the Governor-General presented books to disadvantaged students.

The Director and Principal of the Centre, Brother Anthony Swamy, welcomed Ms Bryce and introduced her to students pursuing technical and vocational education opportunities.

The Centre caters for over 600 students and has received Australian Government assistance for the construction of buildings and procurement of teaching equipment.