21 October

On Wednesday, in the morning, at Gordonvale State School, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Mrs de Jersey met staff and student leaders, toured classrooms and addressed a whole-of-school parade.

Read the Governor's Gordonvale State School speech here. 

Following, at Gordonvale State High School, His Excellency the Administrator and Mrs de Jersey met and addressed staff and student leaders, and were briefed on the senior alternative program.

Read the Governor's Gordonvale State High School speech here. 

Following, at Cairns School of Distance Education, His Excellency the Administrator and Mrs de Jersey received a briefing on School operations, toured the facilities and participated in an on-line lesson.

In the afternoon, at James Cook University Cairns Campus, His Excellency the Administrator received a briefing on University operations, and toured the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and the Tropical Queensland Centre for Oral Health.

In the evening, His Excellency the Administrator and Mrs de Jersey attended the official opening of CQUniversity Cairns Campus, where His Excellency addressed guests and joined the Treasurer, Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, the Honourable Curtis Pitt MP, CQUniversity Chancellor Mr Rennie Fritschy and CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Scott Bowman in officially declaring open the Campus and unveiling a commemorative plaque.

Read the Governor's official opening speech here. 

Following, at the Pullman Cairns International Hotel, His Excellency the Administrator and Mrs de Jersey joined guests for an official dinner celebrating the opening of the CQUniversity Cairns Campus.

Also in the evening, the Honourable Justice Margaret McMurdo AC ceased duty as Acting Governor, and the Honourable Chief Justice Catherine Holmes commenced duty as Acting Governor.