The T.O.P. Blog

The day I met the Governor General

// September 29th, 2009 // General News

Yesterday was a big day for Tania’s dad, Brian – the Governor General of Australia was to swear him in as the administrator of the Christmas Islands and the Cocos Islands, and we were lucky enough to be invited along.

We got off to a bad start when there was a mixup with our tickets and whilst Joan, Brian, Bradley and Madison (Per’s cousin) got on the plane, we three did not. Needless to say, the lambasting Tania gave one the ground crew was severe. I admit I crept away and pretended to shop for ties. We eventually caught a later plane and made it to Canberra safely, albeit a few hours later than intended.

At the hotel where Joan and Brian were staying we met up with everyone, got changed and then set off for Government House which is the main official residence of the Governor General. Upon arrival we were greeted by various officials and were briefed as to the sequence of events. We were then led into the main room (which wouldn’t have looked out of place in Buckingham Palace) where, after a brief wait, the Governor General was announced. We all stood to one side whilst Brian was sworn in and signed the various documents. Per had been briefed that this was a very, very special day for Grandad and that if he absolutely had to speak, he could only do so in a whisper. Shortly after the ceremony started he proceeded to whisper, repeatedly, to Tania and myself “I love you”. I guess he was a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing.

After the ceremony, the official photos were taken (which I’ll post here once we get them) following which drinks and snacks were served whilst the Governor General and her husband got to meet and chat to everyone. She took a real liking to Per who proceeded to tell her about the trip he’d had that day (on a plane), showed her the little Qantas freight truck we’d bought him at the airport and told her how much he liked the cheese crackers (which really were very nice). When the cheese crackers were gone the Governor General ordered more for Per as he clearly wasn’t done yet.

After about 10 minutes the Governor General and her husband departed, but not without giving Per a big hug. As the couple left Per repeatedly called after them “See ya. See ya.” We then moved into the lobby where we all signed the visitor’s book and, after thanking everyone, we headed back to the hotel. Luckily we managed to get on an earlier flight which meant that we left Canberra at 19:30, on the same flight as Per’s cousin Madison and his uncle Bradley.

If we had to ask Per to give us a synopsis of the day it would go something like this: We went to the airport where I saw a captain who carried a box (not sure what the box is?). Then we went on a Queensland plane (Qantas) to Canberra. We went to a big house where a nice lady in a blue dress gave me yummy cheese crackers. Then I went on another plane. The End.