As part of her visit to Darwin to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the bombing of the city, the Governor-General officially opened the Defence of Darwin Experience at the Darwin Military Museum Precinct. The new, purpose-built museum, involves the visitor in an interactive journey beginning on February the 19th, 1942. On that day, 243 people died during a wave of bombing by Japanese Zero aircraft - many of them Americans based in the port.

On Thursday 16 February 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, received the Chair of A Canberra Housing Proposal Limited, Professor Stephen Bartos, and Director of A Canberra Housing Proposal Limited, Ms Elizabeth Dawson.

On Wednesday 15 February 2012, at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the Chief Executive Officer of the Organ and Tissue Authority, Ms Yael Cass, launched DonateLife Week 2012 and presented the DonateLife ‘Book of Life’ to the National Library of Australia.

The Governor-General received the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, His Excellency Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, at Government House in Canberra.

The Governor-General launched DonateLife Week 2012 at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

Ms Bryce was joined by NRL DonateLife champions, Organ and Tissue Authority representatives and members of the Brennan family, who shared their personal story to help raise public awareness about organ and tissue donations.

After the launch, the Governor-General presented the DonateLife Book of Life to the Director-General of the National Library of Australia, Ms Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, which will be added to the Library’s collection.

On Tuesday 14 February 2012, at Albert Park, Melbourne the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, as guests of the founder of the Lighthouse Foundation, Ms Susan Barton AM, attended the Foundation’s Annual Valentine’s Day Lunch for Women, at which the Governor-General gave an address.

The Governor-General, as Patron of the General Sir John Monash Foundation, presented scholarships to nine 2012 recipients at The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne.

The recipients were selected on their demonstrated and potential leadership contribution to their fields of study.

The 2012 recipients include Ms Anita George, Mr Ashley Kingsborough, Mr Christopher Lowe, Ms Claudia Newman-Martin, Mr Fergus Green, Mr Iwan Walters, Ms Kate Griffiths, Ms Madeline Gleeson, and Dr Sam Brophy-Williams.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce joined supporters of the Lighthouse Foundation in Melbourne to recognise the Vicki Vidor Home for Young Mothers and Babies.

Attending the Valentine’s Day Lunch for Women, Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce met supporters and staff who coordinate programs to assist homeless and vulnerable young women.

On Monday 13 February 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received the prefects of Bankstown Girls High School for morning tea.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted an afternoon tea at which the Governor-General launched ‘Baby Care’, an updated and revised edition of ‘No “One Right Way”’ by Mrs Rhodanthe Lipsett OAM.

The Governor-General was presented with the University of Newcastle Family Action Centre and The Wollotuka Institute’s Award for Contribution to the Australian Community at Admiralty House, Sydney.

The award is in recognition of Ms Bryce’s long term involvement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.