As Australia’s first female Governor-General Quentin Bryce has spent the last five-and-a-half years tirelessly dedicating her time in the service of others.
On a day when the nation should acknowledge the service of one of its most accomplished women, the 71-year-old selflessly insisted during her farewell press conference that it is she who has to be grateful to the Australian public, not the other way around.
“It has truly been an honour to serve our community as governor-general,” she said. “I’ve been utterly inspired by the experiences, they certainly have changed me in many ways and I’ve been inspired by what I have learned, what I have observed from my fellow Australians.”
During her esteemed tenure Bryce has been flawless. She has conducted herself with elegance and grace on global stage, lobbying for Australia’s interests overseas all the while championing the issues facing rural Australians.
Certainly, Quentin has had some amazing moments in her time occupying the post and her are some highlights of her years in office.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott visits Governor General Quentin Bryce at Government House for the pair’s last official meeting at Yarralumla.
Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands as she meets the Honourable Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of Australia, and her husband Michael Bryce at Buckingham Palace on June 11, 2013 in London, England.
Prince William and Quentin Bryce talk during luncheon at Admiralty House on January 19, 2010 in Sydney.
France’s President Francois Hollande welcomes Quentin Bryce prior to a meeting at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on June 3, 2013.
Quentin Bryce talks to a Timorese child during an official visit to Maubara Distrik Liqueca On December 16, 2008.
Quentin Bryce signs the state emergency service Kinglake unit sign during a meeting with volunteers near Kinglake on February 15, 2009. Bryce was there to pay tribute to the town that was virtually destroyed during the recent bushfire disaster which killed at least 181 people.
Musician John Williamson speaks with Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce during a ceremony in recognition of his 40 years in the music industry at Tamworth Country Music Festival on January 21, 2010 in Tamworth.
Prince Charles and Quentin Bryce pay their respect on July 19, 2010 in Fromelles, northern France, during the burial ceremony of an unknown World War One soldier, the last of the 250 found in a mass grave from the 1916 Battle of Fromelles.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Canakkale Governor Abdulkadir Atalik and Quentin Bryce arrive at the Commonwealth Memorial Service at Cape Helles on April 24, 2010 in Gallipoli, Turkey.
The Governor-General presents Alyssa Healy with her baggy green cap as a debutant before day one of the Test match between Australia and England at Bankstown Oval in Sydney.
The Governor-General talks with Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith after awarding him the Victoria Cross on January 23, 2011 in Perth, Australia. Corporal Roberts-Smith of the Special Air Service Regiment was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for his gallantry under fire during operations in Afghanistan. The Victoria Cross is Australia’s highest military honour.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is congratulated by Quentin Bryce after being appointed an Honorary Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia at Government House on March 9, 2010 in Canberra.
The Governor General and General Peter Cosgrove, who is set to be Bryce’s successor to the office, stand with U.S. President Barack Obama during his tour on November 17, 2011 in Canberra.
Quentin Bryce earthquake affected Christchurch in New Zealand in March 2011.
The new King Tupou VI greets the Goveror General during the State Funeral held for King George Tupou V at Mala’ekula on March 27, 2012 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
President of Portugal Mr Anibal Antonio Cavaco Silva, Quentin Bryce, the First Lady Isabel Perreira and President Taur Matan Ruak open the new Museum of Resistance in Dili, as East Timor celebrates ten years of independence on May 20, 2012.
The Governor-General reviews the royal honour guard as she is received by Jordan’s King Abdullah, on September 2, 2012 in Amman, Jordan.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, the Governor-General and Michael Bryce attend a garden luncheon at Government House on November 10, 2012 in Canberra.
Crown Prince Frederik, And Crown Princess Mary at Admiralty House Sydney with their twins, Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent stand for a picture with the Governor-General and her husband, Michael Bryce, in November 2011.
Quentin Bryce and her husband Michael Bryce are welcomed by Austrian President Heinz Fischer on June 7, 2013 in Vienna.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce swears in Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as he stands with his wife, Therese Rein at Government House, on June 27, 2013 after Rudd won an Australian Labor Party leadership ballot 57-45 the night before.
Quentin Bryce smiles as she inspects naval officers before boarding the Leeuwin on October 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.
Prince Harry and Governor-General Quentin Bryce pose on board the HMAS Leeuwin as they participate in the 2013 International Fleet Review on October 5, 2013 in Sydney.
Australia’s Governor-General visits the West China Hospital on October 22, 2013 in Chengdu, China.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce greets Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi at Government House in Canberra on November 29, 2013.
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