On Friday 13 July 2012, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Patron, attended the annual Parkinson’s Australia National Conference at which the Governor-General delivered the opening address.

Afterwards, at the Royal Children’s Hospital School, Herston, the Governor-General, as guest of the Principal, Ms Michelle Bond, met with children and staff.

Later, at Philip Bacon Galleries, Fortitude Valley, the Governor-General, as guest of Mr Philip Bacon AM, viewed the Peter Churcher exhibition.

In Brisbane, the Governor-General opened the National Conference of Parkinson's Australia at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Ms Bryce spoke about her personal experience with Parkinson's disease, and congratulated Parkinson's Australia for its endeavours to inform Autralians about the nature of the disease and research results.

Parkinson's disease is Australia's second most common neurological disease after dementia.

During a visit to Brisbane, the Governor-General popped in to visit the children at the Royal Children's Hospital School.

The School looks after patients and siblings of patients at the Hospital. Ms Bryce read a new book - "the Story of Girbar" - and met patient Mitch, one of the book's authors.

The Governor-General paid a visit to Gallang Place, home to an indigenous counselling service which works with clients in the greater Brisbane area.

During her visit, Ms Bryce was briefed on the service's projects, before meeting members of the Gallang Place Board, counsellors and clients over afternoon tea.

On Thursday 12 July 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the High Commissioner-designate to New Zealand, Mr Michael Potts.

Later, the Governor-General, as Senior Patron in Australia, conducted an investiture for the Royal Humane Society.

Then, at the Australian Institute of Sport, Bruce, the Governor-General, as Patron, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, met with 2012 Paralympic Games athletes and support staff.

The Governor-General, as Senior Patron of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, invested two Queensland Fire and Rescue Service personnel with 2011 Clarke Gold Medals during a ceremony at Government House, Canberra.

Mr Russell Von Nida, of Buccan in Queensland, and Mr Bradley Damian Hindmarsh, of Bundall in Queensland, were presented medals for rescuing numerous people during the January 2011 floods that hit the Grantham township in Queensland.

Citations

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce visited Paralympians preparing for the upcoming London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Ms Bryce, who is Patron of the Australian Paralympic Committee, met members of the swimming squad before joining athletes and rowers for afternoon tea.

On Tuesday 10 July 2012, at the National Museum of Australia, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the Museum Director, Mr Andrew Sayers AM, viewed the Silk Road Exhibition.

On Monday 9 July 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the author of ‘Patrick Ambrose Treacy: Christian Brother, Enterprising Immigrant’, Brother Regis Hickey; and Canberra Christian Brothers leaders Brother Barnabas Garvan and Brother Paul McGlade.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted a recital to mark the visit to Australia of the Harvard University Krokodiloes.

The Governor-General received the author of ‘Patrick Ambrose Treacy: Christian Brother, Enterprising Immigrant’, Brother Regis Hickey; and Canberra Christian Brothers leaders Brother Barnabas Garvan and Brother Paul McGlade at Government House, Canberra.