22 April 2013

Australian Governor-General’s visit to Papua New Guinea

The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, as Commander-in-Chief will mark ANZAC Day on the Kokoda Track while undertaking an Official Visit to Papua New Guinea from 22 April to 26 April 2013.

At the invitation of the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Sir Michael Ogio, the visit will recognise historic defence links, and highlight the strong bilateral relationship between both nations. The Governor-General will also focus on violence against women, the promotion of health initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, and the advancement of educational opportunities in Papua New Guinea.

On 25 April, Ms Bryce will honour the service and sacrifices of Australian Defence Force personnel in World War II during the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Bomana Commonwealth War Cemetery in Port Moresby.

Later at Isurava on the Kokoda Track, the Governor-General will attend anANZAC Day service to commemorate the courage and bravery of Australian Defence personnel, including Private Bruce Kingsbury VC who was killed in Isurava in1942. The Governor-General will also lay a wreath at the Memorial to Australian Soldiers in the town of Kokoda and meet trekkers and members of the community.

During the visit, the Governor-General will attend meetings with the Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Sir Michael Ogio, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon Peter O’Neill MP, the Governor of East New Britain Province, the Hon Ereman Tobaining Jr, and will participate in a roundtable meeting with prominent Papua New Guinean women at Parliament House. The Governor-General will also visit Milne Bay to mark the Battle of 1942.