On Thursday 12 April 2012, at Government House, Sydney, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO received the Head of Programme Development, Edinburgh International Festival, Ms Sally Hobson.

Afterwards, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE received the Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, His Excellency Mr Nguyen Xuzn Phuc.

Later, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas hosted a lunch for the Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

During her State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines, the Governor-General laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Manila.

The monument is dedicated to the Philippines’ national hero, Dr Jose Rizal, who was recognised for his advocacy for political reform and was regarded as a Filipino patriot during the 19th century.

Ms Bryce was formally welcomed by the President, His Excellency Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, at Malacañan Palace in Manila. Ms Bryce inspected a Guard of Honour at the palace before meeting with the President.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce visited two important projects that receive assistance from AusAID during the first day of their State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines.

Ms Bryce and Mr Bryce observed the Conditional Cash Transfer Program being implemented in Taguig City and met Filipino beneficiaries at an elementary school in Barangay Sta Ana.

The program aims to reduce poverty for its beneficiaries and is being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which receives technical assistance from AusAID.

On Wednesday 11 April 2012, following the departure of the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO on a State Visit to the Philippines, 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, at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, the Administrator and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE attended the State Funeral for the late Honourable Lionel Bowen AC.

The Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce arrived in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, to begin a State Visit at the invitation of President His Excellency Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III.

The Governor-General was escorted through an Honour Guard by the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Major General Lauro Catalino de la Cruz.

Ms Bryce is the first Australian Governor-General to undertake a State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines.

On Tuesday 10 April 2012, at Government House, Canberra, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received year 12 student from Seymour College, Adelaide, Miss Eleanor Whisson.

On Thursday 5 April 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO presided at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.

Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted an afternoon tea for the George Institute for Global Health, at which the Governor-General, as Patron, launched the documentary ‘Tristan Story’.

In Sydney, the Governor-General officially opened the 2012 Royal Easter Show at the Royal Agricultural Society's showgrounds in Homebush. As Patron of the Australian Year of the Farmer, Ms Bryce visited the YOF Roadshow to chat with young patrons at the painting tables, and young farmers with their baby animals.

In Sydney, the Governor-General joined members of the George Institute for Global Health and supporters of research into Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder to launch "Tristan's Story", which looks at the life of a 12 year old boy with FASD from Fitzroy Valley in remote Western Australia. Tristan, his carers, Ms Marmingee Hand and Mr Geoff Davis and their grandchildren, travelled to Admiralty House to watch the half hour documentary, which will be presented to the United Nations later this year.

On Wednesday 4 April 2012, at Admiralty House, Sydney, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO received year six students from Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School, Miss Alena Freiheit and Miss Kirstin Ross.

Afterwards, the Governor-General, as Patron, received the Executive Director of the Australia Centre for Leadership for Women, Ms Diann Rodgers-Healey.

In the evening the Governor-General and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE, hosted a dinner in honour of the outgoing Australian Industry Group Chief Executive, Mrs Heather Ridout.