Australian woman becomes governor general

CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Quentin Bryce -- a lawyer, grandmother and feminist -- was sworn in Friday as the first female governor-general of Australia.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his wife, Therese Rein, greeted Bryce when she arrived at Government House in Canberra to take the oath of office, The Age reported.

"Australians, you have entrusted a great deal to me," Bryce said. "I will honor your trust wholeheartedly."

Bryce takes on a largely ceremonial position as the representative of the Australian head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. She gives the Royal Assent to legislation, serves as commander of the Australian Defense Force and presides over the Federal Executive Council.

A native of the town of Longreach in inland Queensland, Bryce served as governor of the state for five years. She has also been federal sex discrimination commissioner and Queensland director of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.