On Wednesday 30 May 2012, following the departure of the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO on a State Visit to the Republic of Cyprus and an official visit to the United Kingdom, the Proclamation assuming the Administration of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia was signed by the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR.

On Tuesday 29 May 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted an afternoon tea for Sandakan veterans and their families.

Afterwards, the Governor-General was represented at Brisbane International Airport at the arrival in Australia of the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui CSI CMG OBE, by Group Captain Brian Duddington AM ADC, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce joined families of World War II Sandakan Prisoners of War for an afternoon tea at Government House in Canberra.

It was a day of remembrance for Ms Bryce, Mr Bryce and the family members as they marked the 67th anniversary of the last Death March that departed from Sandakan.

The Governor-General previously travelled to Sandakan in 2010 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Death Marches.

On Monday 28 May 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the King of the Kingdom of Tonga His Majesty King Tupou VI, Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u and Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika.

Afterwards, the Governor-General received the Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr James Wise.

Later, the Governor-General received the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Her Excellency Ms Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Governor-General received the Prime Minister of Thailand, Her Excellency Ms Yingluck Shinawarta, at Government House in Canberra.

The Governor-General received His Majesty King Tupou VI, King of Tonga, Queen Nanasipau’u and Princess Angelika at Government House in Canberra.

On Sunday 27 May 2012, at Sydney International Airport, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO was represented at the departure from Australia of the President of the Portuguese Republic, His Excellency Professor Aníbal António Cavaco Silva, by Brigadier Allan Murray CSM ADC, Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

On Friday 25 May 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Julia Gillard MP.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE received the President of the Portuguese Republic, His Excellency Professor Aníbal António Cavaco Silva and the First Lady, Dr Maria Cavaco Silva.

On Friday 25 May 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Julia Gillard MP.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE received the President of the Portuguese Republic, His Excellency Professor Aníbal António Cavaco Silva and the First Lady, Dr Maria Cavaco Silva.

The Governor-General received the President of the Republic of Portugal, His Excellency Professor Anibal Cavaco Silva, at Government House in Canberra, and hosted an official lunch in his honour.