The Governor-General joined families and relatives of some of the over 5500 Australian soldiers who were killed or injured during the World War I Battle of Fromelles, France, for the annual commemorative service held beside ‘Cobbers’ statue at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

The battle, which remains the single bloodiest 24 hours in Australian history, was fought on the morning of 19 July 1916.

The Governor-General joined 12 Rats of Tobruk, their family members and supporters of Rats of Tobruk House in Albert Park, Melbourne.

Speaking to the veterans, Ms Bryce thanked them for their important contribution and service to Australia.

On Wednesday 18 July 2012, at the Concourse, Chatswood, the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as guest of the President of the NSW Farmers’ Association, Ms Fiona Simson, officially opened the 2012 NSW Farmer’s Association annual conference.

Afterwards, at Admiralty House, the Governor-General received Sisters of the Good Samaritan and members of the Pacific Calling Partnership, Sister Geraldine Kearney and Sister Katea Kaikai.

In Sydney, the Governor-General reflected on the value of agriculture and farming to the economy, when she officially opened the NSW Farmers' Association Annual Conference.

Ms Bryce congratulated the farmers for exporting 60 per cent of their produce and generating $37 billion a year in revenue, employing 307,000 people in 2010/11, and for sustaining country communities.

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.

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