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Report on performancethe President of the House of Representatives, andwomen parliamentarians. She also officially openedthe new chancery of the Australian High Commission,Nicosia, and met with members of the AustralianFederal Police contingent to the United NationsPeacekeeping Force in Cyprus.From Cyprus, the Governor-General travelledto the United Kingdom to represent Australiaat the official Diamond Jubilee celebrations forHer Majesty The Queen.Wherever possible, the Office includedopportunities for the Governor-General to meetAustralian expatriates and alumni of Australianeducation institutions during overseas visits.Meetings and site visits were organised through therelevant Australian diplomatic missions, to supportAustralian development assistance efforts andbusiness, trade and other bilateral linkages.Community engagementEngagement with the community is an importantpart of the Governor-General’s role and a primaryconsideration for the Office in planning and deliveringa balanced program. The Governor-General meetswith people in cities, regions and remote and ruralcommunities throughout Australia. In her role, MsBryce is uniquely placed to draw connections betweenpeople and organisations to help advance Australia as acontemporary and compassionate society.In a proactive approach to community engagement,the Governor-General assists in promoting andsupporting innovative and practical solutions tosome of the longstanding issues facing Australia’sexpanding metropolitan centres. During 2011–12,the Governor-General undertook an urban outreachprogram to encourage greater social inclusion andcelebrate Australia’s cultural diversity (see despatch).Among themes ranging from sport to history andscience, the Governor-General supported initiativesto encourage literacy, acknowledge carers, rejectdomestic violence, fight breast cancer, praise the workof nurses, recognise the contribution of farmers andrural communities, and help Indigenous children tofurther their educations.An important aspect of the Governor-General’scommunity role is to provide comfort and supportto individuals or communities in distress. On4 September 2011, Ms Bryce attended a churchservice with members of the Tongan and Samoancommunities in Logan, following a tragic house fire atSlacks Creek; on 10 January 2012, she attended theLockyer Valley First Anniversary CommemorativeService following the Queensland floods in 2011;on 7 February 2012, she met with flood-affectedresidents in Moree, Yarraman and Wee Waa in theaftermath of the New South Wales floods; and on17 March 2012, she visited flood-affected areas ofWagga Wagga and attended a community barbecuewith emergency workers, volunteers and residents.The Governor-General officially opens the 150 year old Cape Wickham Lighthouse on King Island on 5 November 2011Annual Report 2011–201229