On Saturday 14 April 2012, the Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE returned to Australia following their State Visit to the Philippines.

On Friday 13 April 2012, at the Darwin Convention Centre, the Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, as guest of the President of the Order of Australia Association, the Honourable Shane Stone AC QC, and the Chair of the Order of Australia Association, Mr Peter McDermott AM CSC, attended the Order of Australia Association National Conference Dinner, and gave an address and presented three Order of Australia Association Foundation scholarships.

The Governor-General and Mr Bryce visited the Australian Embassy in Manila and met Australian and local staff members.

During the visit, the Governor-General presented the Financial Services Manager, Ms Zeny Espiritu, with a certificate in appreciation of her service to the Embassy. The Defence Attache, Group Captain Craig White, was also presented a clasp for 30 years of service to the Australian Defence Force.

The Governor-General joined prominent female Filipino officials at a lunch hosted by former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to Canberra, Ms Delia Domingo Albert, on the second day of her State Visit to the Philippines.

Ms Bryce congratulated the attendees on their effective work in pursuing gender equality.

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.