Governor-General of Australia visits Oxford

The Governor-General of Australia, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, visited Oxford on Thursday, meeting a number of prominent Australians at the University. She first went to Christ Church before going to Rhodes House, where she was greeted by over 150 Australian students and academics. Those present included the inaugural Charlie Perkins Scholars, Paul Gray and Christian Thompson, who became the first Indigenous Australians to study in Oxford when they came to the University in October. The Governor-General also met over 40 students from New Zealand, who are studying in Oxford this term after the earthquake in their home city of Christchurch. The University made the offer of these places to students at the University of Canterbury following the devastating earthquake. At Rhodes House, the Governor-General spoke warmly of the contribution of Australian Rhodes Scholars, and urged current Scholars to 'make the very best of every second here' in the 'inspiring' University of Oxford. Eminent researchers were present at Christ Church earlier in the day.