His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam continued his working visit to Australia by touring the Australian Institute of Sports Wednesday. The institute is Australia's internationally acclaimed national centre of sports excellence for the training and development of elite athletes and teams, RTB reported.

At the Institute, His Majesty was briefed on the features of the institute's campus and the role and functions of the Australian Sport Commission.

His Majesty toured the Sports Science and Medicine Building. It is where the secret of Australian excellence in sports lies. It provides medical services in physiology, biochemistry, biomechanics, psychology, nutrition, physical therapies and performance analysis and skill acquisition. According to the Australian Sports officials, the centre is responsible for half of the gold medals bagged by the country in the last two Olympics.

Later in the afternoon, His Majesty visited the Australian War Memorial. The Memorial is considered to be Australia's great cultural icon.

Upon arrival at the War Memorial Building, His Majesty was greeted by the Chairman of the Australian War Memorial Council, Major-General Clunies-Ross and the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Major-General Steve Gower. The War Memorial is regarded by the Australians as their unique institution that combines a shrine, a museum and an archive.

At the War Memorial, His Majesty laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldiers during the First World War.

It commemorates the 102,000 Australians who died while serving their country during the wartime.

His Majesty then toured the World War II gallery, which includes an exhibition on Brunei and the Malay Peninsula. Australian and British troops were involved in the theatre of conflicts in the two regions. The Memorial was the inspiration of Australia's 1st World War official historian, Charles Bean. His idea was to achieve commemoration through understanding.

There was an element of surprise when His Majesty was shown the historic scene of Brunei Darussalam. These old photographs were taken by the Australian soldiers who served in the liberation force of Borneo towards the end of the 2nd World War. The pictures were of His Majesty's uncle, Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, the 27th Sultan of Brunei. They were kept as parts of the Museum's treasured collections.

His Majesty began his second-day stay in Australia with an early morning walk with the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard.

His Majesty is a keen sportsman and has been acknowledged by Australian leaders for his piloting skill. The Australian Prime Minister at the age of 65, places great importance in keeping fit and healthy.

His Majesty and Mr Howard covered a distance of five kilometres in about half an hour.

En route to the airport to Sydney, the next destination on His Majesty's programme to Australia was the Transport Industries Skills Centre in Canberra.

Three high-powered cars were introduced to His Majesty. The three Holden Monaro are the latest editions of the Holden Company manufactured by it's factory in Adelaide, South Australia. Together with His Majesty to test drive this car was none other than Mark Skaife, a well known Australian car racer.

The test drive was done on a purpose-built 2.5 kilometre track.

The centre not only gives normal driving lesson training but also provides special driving skills for drivers of heavy vehicles of various classes.

His Majesty test drove the car and in front of the monarch's car was the Holden Monaro driven by Skaife.

His Majesty's skill in driving the high powered car was noted with admiration by Skaife. This professional Australian car racer has achieved many successes. He is a five-time national champion.

At the end of the test drive, His Majesty consented to receive a gift from Skaife in the form of his personal racing helmet.

His Majesty's first official engagement in Sydney was a meeting with the Governor of the New South Wales, Marie Bashir and Sir Nicholas Shehadie.

The informal discussion between His Majesty and the Governor of New South Wales and Sir Nicholas Shehadie took place at the Government House. After the meeting, His Majesty attended a luncheon hosted by the Governor of New South Wales and Sir Nicholas Shehadie in honour of His Majesty's visit to the city.

At the luncheon, His Majesty consented to deliver a titah, praising Sydney as the most cosmopolitan and international city with a reputation for great hospitality and generosity. This, His Majesty highlighted, was exemplified by Australia's spontaneous response to help countries affected by the recent tsunami.

His Majesty also noted that since the establishment of Air Link, there had been a growing number of Bruneians travelling to Sydney for business, leisure as well as education. The monarch further expressed appreciation for the opportunities offered to the people of Brunei Darussalam.

His Majesty later received a courtesy call from the Premier of New South Wales Bob Carr in a hotel.

Present during the call was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Abdul Rahman. Also present were Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Yahya and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng.

His Majesty on Tuesday night acknowledged the wide cooperation between Brunei and Australia. His Majesty made the remark in a titah at the state dinner hosted in His Majesty's honour by the Governor of Australia in Canberra.

His Majesty said this wide-ranging cooperation covers defence, education, air services, tourism, cultural, social and sporting affairs. His Majesty also noted that there is also a growing amount of trade and investment with an increasing number of Australian companies expressing interests in Brunei's future development.

His Majesty delivered the titah at the state dinner hosted by Governor General, Major-General Michael Jeffery and Mrs Jeffery.

The monarch stressed that Australia is a very important partner and one that will continue to be closely linked to Brunei's economic future. His Majesty noted that Brunei is also very pleased to be the long-standing regional partners in the Asean-Australia dialogue in Apec and most importantly today in its efforts to ensure regional security for everyone who lives and works in the Asia-Pacific Region.

His Majesty further stated that the state visit was not only a commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation but also to express Brunei's appreciation and respect for the friendship and contribution made by Australia in all aspects of life in the Asia-Pacific.

Also attending the state dinner were the President of the Senate, Senator Paul Calvert, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Hawker, the Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Alexander Downer. - Borneo Bulletin