Sir Peter Cosgrove, General the Honourable, AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (RETD)

Born into an Army family, Peter Cosgrove attended Waverley College in Sydney before graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1968. His first deployment was in Malaysia with the 1st Battalion RAR and later in Vietnam he commanded an infantry platoon. He served as Commander of INTERFET in East Timor in 1999 overseeing that country’s transition to independence. Then promoted to Chief of Army and later Chief of the Australian Defence Force. He retired from the ADF in 2005 serving on several boards before becoming a Knight in the Order of Australia when sworn in as Governor-General in 2014 and serving until June 2019. Sir Peter was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen in August 2019. In April 2023 Sir Peter was commissioned by His Majesty King Charles III at the recommendation of Prime Minister Albanese to serve when required as the Administrator of the Commonwealth Government of Australia.

In retirement, he remains involved with defence, health and other charitable organisations. Among his other charitable involvements, Sir Peter accepted the voluntary role as chairman of BizRebuild the business-led initiative, developed by the Business Council of Australia, to provide practical and on the ground assistance to small and local businesses left devastated by the 2019/20 and subsequent bushfires and floods. In 2022 he become the inaugural national patron of the Australian Defence Force Cadets. During 2023 he is serving as Ambassador for the commemorations of the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Sir Peter memoir You shouldn’t have joined.... was published in October 2020.

Sir Peter is also an avid sports fan with a particular interest in Rugby and Cricket. Married to Lynne since 1976, they have three sons and delight in their four young grandchildren.

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Additional information about some of Sir Peter’s awards and honours:

The Military Cross (MC) for his performance and leadership in Vietnam during an assault on enemy positions (1971)
Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for service in command 1983-84.
Promoted to Companion of Order of Australia (AC) for leadership of INTERFET
Australian of the Year in 2001
Knight in the Order of Australia in 2014
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, appointed by Her Majesty the Queen in August 2019.