Ngunnawal elder Auntie Violet Sheridan, the Wiradjuri Echoes and Māori elders Isaac and Trish Cotter were all part of the Welcome to Country ceremony for Dame Patsy and Sir David at Government House in Canberra. A Welcome to Country is a ritual or ceremony intended to recognise the significance of the land to its traditional owners.
Australian Governor-General HE General Hon David Hurley and Mrs Linda Hurley invited Dame Patsy and Sir David to sign the guest book before Auntie Violet spoke.Then the floor was open for a dancer from the Wiradjuri Echoes, accompanied by a didgeridoo player.
Māori elders Isaac and Trish Cotter supported Dame Patsy and her party with karanga, mihi and waiata.
The planned Ceremonial Welcome was moved indoors due to rain. Following the welcome, Dame Patsy had a meeting with Australian PM Scott Morrison.
The afternoon's activities included a visit to the National Arboretum and the New Zealand High Commission, before a State Dinner at Yarralumla in the evening.
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Dame Patsy signs the Visitor Book
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The Visitor Book at Yarralumla
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Dame Patsy and Sir David with Governor-General and Mrs Hurley
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Auntie Violet Sheridan - Welcome to Country
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A dancer from the Wiradjuri Echoes
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Wiradjuri Echoes
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A dancer from the Wiradjuri Echoes performs
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Kaumatua for the New Zealand High Commission, Isaac Cotter
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Dame Patsy with the the dancer and musician from Wiradjuri Echoes
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Dame Patsy and Auntie Violet Sheridan
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Group photo
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The Ceremonial Welcome
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Dame Patsy, General Hurley and Mrs Hurley at the Ceremonial Welcome
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Introducing the delegations
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Meeting PM Scott Morrison
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Meeting PM Scott Morrison
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The National Arboretum - 'Wide, Brown Land' sculpture
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Didgeridoo at the National Arboretum
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Planting a totara at the National Arboretum
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Auntie Violet Sheridan
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National Arboretum
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With Dame Annette King at the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra
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Meeting staff at the New Zealand High Commission
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The Governor-General of Australia speaks at the State Dinner
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The Governor-General of New Zealand speaks at the State Dinner
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The State Dinner