Download Annual Report 2011-2012 - Governor-General of the ...

Report on performanceCommander-in-ChiefUnder Section 68 of the Constitution, theGovernor-General is the Commander-in-Chiefof the Australian Defence Force, including thepermanent force and reservists. In this role, throughthe Federal Executive Council, she appoints theChief and Vice Chief of the Defence Force and theChiefs of the three armed services, and commissionsofficers in the Royal Australian Navy, the AustralianArmy and the Royal Australian Air Force.As Commander-in-Chief, the Governor-Generalhas an important ceremonial role to play, attendingmilitary parades, graduation ceremonies andcommemorative occasions such as ANZAC Dayand Remembrance Day, and presenting Coloursand other insignia to units of the Australian DefenceForce. During 2011–12 the Office liaised closelywith the Department of Defence to coordinatethe Governor-General’s involvement in such events,including the following:• a Ceremonial Sunset at Admiralty House inrecognition of the centenary of the granting ofthe ‘Royal’ assent to the Royal Australian Navy,on 9 July 2011• presentation of the Unit Citation for Gallantryto D Company, 6 Royal Australian Regiment, at aparade marking the 45 th anniversary of the Battleof Long Tan at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane, on18 August 2011• presentation of the Queen’s and RegimentalColours to 7 Royal Australian Regiment inAdelaide, on 10 September 2011• presentation of the Governor-General’sBanner to the Royal Australian Army MedicalCorps at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane, on4 November 2011• attendance at the Anglesea Barracks BicentennialParade in Hobart, on 3 December 2011• attendance at the ANZAC Day service in TarinKowt, Afghanistan, and a visit to Al MinhadAir Base, United Arab Emirates, to meet withcurrently deployed Australian servicemen andwomen, in April 2012• a visit to the International Stabilisation ForceHeadquarters in Dili, Timor-Leste, on 19 May 2012.The Governor-General is regularly involved in eventsmarking the anniversary of significant military occasions,including some whose details have previously not beenwell known. For example, on 14 September 2011,the Governor-General unveiled a plaque at GardenIsland, Sydney, to commemorate the disappearanceof Australia’s first submarine, the AE1, in September1914 with a full crew of 35 sailors on board. On19 February 2012, Ms Bryce joined Federal andNorthern Territory Government representatives,Australian and American veterans and a large crowd ofTerritorians for a ceremony and other events markingthe 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.On 11 November 2011, after attending the annualRemembrance Day ceremony, the Governor-General hosted a lunch at Government House tomark the 90th anniversary of the Royal AustralianAir Force, the 70th anniversary of the Siege ofTobruk, and the 70th anniversary of the formationof the Women’s Services. Among many defencepersonnel who attended were eight Rats of Tobrukand 24 women veterans.On 8 May 2012, the Governor-General hosted areception for veterans of the Battle of the CoralSea, whose service 70 years previously representeda milestone in Australia’s military history and itssecurity alliance with the United States of America.Annual Report 2011–201223