David Hurley facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids General The Honourable David Hurley AC, CVO, DSC, FTSE
Official portrait, 2019

27th Governor-General of Australia
In office 1 July 2019 – 1 July 2024
Monarch	Elizabeth II Charles III
Prime Minister	Scott Morrison Anthony Albanese
Preceded by	Sir Peter Cosgrove
Succeeded by	Sam Mostyn
38th Governor of New South Wales
In office 2 October 2014 – 1 May 2019
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Premier	Mike Baird Gladys Berejiklian
Lieutenant	Tom Bathurst
Preceded by	Dame Marie Bashir
Succeeded by	Margaret Beazley

Personal details
Born	David John Hurley (1953-08-26) 26 August 1953 (age 71) Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse	Linda McMartin (m. 1977)
Children	3
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Years of service	1972–2014
Rank	General
Commands	Chief of the Defence Force (2011–2014) Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2008–2011) Chief of Joint Operations (2007–2008) Chief of Capability Development Group (2003–2007) Land Commander Australia (2002–2003) 1st Brigade (1999–2000) 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1991–1993)
Battles/wars	Operation Solace
Awards	Companion of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Cross Knight of the Order of Saint John

David John Hurley (born 26 August 1953) is an Australian who had a long and important career. He was a senior officer in the Australian Army for 42 years. After his military career, he became the 38th governor of New South Wales from 2014 to 2019. Later, he served as the 27th governor-general of Australia from 2019 to 2024.

During his time in the military, Hurley was part of Operation Solace in Somalia in 1993. He led the 1st Brigade and held several high-ranking positions. These included Chief of Capability Development Group, Chief of Joint Operations, and Vice Chief of the Defence Force. His military career ended when he became the Chief of the Defence Force in 2011.

After leaving the army in 2014, Hurley became the Governor of New South Wales. He served in this role until 2019. Then, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as the Governor-General of Australia. He started this important role in July 2019 and finished in July 2024. Sam Mostyn has now taken over from him.

Early Life and School
His Military Journey
Governor of New South Wales
Australia's Governor-General
Honours and Awards
Coat of Arms
See also

Early Life and School

David John Hurley was born on 26 August 1953. His hometown is Wollongong, in New South Wales, Australia. His parents were Norma and James Hurley. His father worked in a steel factory, and his mother worked in a grocery store.

David grew up in a place called Port Kembla. He went to Port Kembla High School. After high school, he studied at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He also earned a degree from Deakin University.

David Hurley is married to Linda McMartin. They got married in 1977 and have three children.

His Military Journey

General Hurley in 2013, during his time as Chief of the Defence Force.

David Hurley began his military career in January 1972. He joined the Royal Military College, Duntroon, as a cadet. In December 1975, he became a lieutenant in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His first job was with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR).

As he moved up in rank, he became a captain. He worked with the Sydney University Regiment and the Royal Australian Regiment. He also spent time with a British Army unit, the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards.

In 1991, he became the commander of 1RAR. He led this group during Operation Solace in Somalia in 1993. For his brave service there, he received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Later, he became a brigadier. He took command of the 1st Brigade in Darwin in 1999. He helped prepare the brigade for operations in East Timor.

In 2001, Hurley became a major general. He then became Land Commander Australia in 2002. He was promoted to lieutenant general in 2003. In this role, he became the first Chief of Capability Development Group. He also served as Chief of Joint Operations and Vice Chief of the Defence Force.

On 4 July 2011, David Hurley became a general. He took on the highest military role as Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). He served for 40 years in the Australian Defence Force. He retired from the army on 30 June 2014.

General David Morrison, who was named Australian of the Year in 2016, used a famous quote from Hurley. The quote is: "the standard you walk past is the standard you accept." This phrase became very well-known.

Governor of New South Wales

On 5 June 2014, the Premier of New South Wales, Mike Baird, announced that David Hurley would be the next Governor of New South Wales. He officially started this role on 2 October 2014. He replaced Dame Marie Bashir.

As Governor, he represented the King in New South Wales. He carried out important duties for the state. On 17 March 2015, he was made a Knight of the Order of St John.

Australia's Governor-General

Hurley at his swearing-in ceremony as the 27th Governor-General of Australia.

On 16 December 2018, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that David Hurley would become the next Governor-General of Australia. This is the King's representative for all of Australia. He took over from Sir Peter Cosgrove on 1 July 2019. He was the first Governor-General born during Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

He was sworn in at Parliament House, Canberra. His first words were spoken in the language of the local Aboriginal people, the Ngunnawal language.

In September 2019, he gave a speech in Indonesian at an event. This showed his respect for other cultures.

In March 2020, Australia faced the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. The Governor-General declared a "human biosecurity emergency." This was done under a special law to help keep people safe.

During his time, Hurley supported a leadership program. This program received government funding. However, the next government later cancelled the funding. They said it was not good value for money.

Hurley was also involved in a situation where former Prime Minister Scott Morrison secretly held extra ministerial jobs. An investigation found that Hurley had to follow the Prime Minister's advice. Criticism of Hurley's role was considered "unwarranted."

In June 2022, Hurley apologised for writing a good review for a builder. The builder had used his review in advertisements.

Honours and Awards

David Hurley has received many honours and awards for his long service. These awards recognise his dedication and achievements in the military and in public service.

	Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)	26 January 2010
	Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)	26 January 2004
	Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)	14 June 2024
	Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)	26 November 1993
	Knight of the Order of St John	17 March 2015
	Australian Active Service Medal	with Somalia clasp
	Australian Service Medal
	Defence Force Service Medal with the Federation Star	40–44 years service
	Australian Defence Medal
	Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)	20 January 2012
	Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)	10 May 2012
	Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (Malaysia)	2012
	Defence Meritorious Service Star – 1st Class (Indonesia)	19 November 2012
	Distinguished Service Order (Singapore)	13 February 2013
	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (Thailand)	5 April 2013
	Gold Decoration of Merit (Netherlands)	June 2014
	Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste)	May 2022

Badges

Infantry Combat Badge

Honorary Degrees

David Hurley has also received special honorary degrees from universities:

2013: Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) from the University of Wollongong.
2015: Honorary Doctorate of the University (D.Univ.) from the University of New South Wales.
2017: Honorary Doctorate of the University (D.Univ.) from Macquarie University.

Honorary Appointments

He has held many honorary roles, which are special titles given to show respect:

2008–2019: Honorary Colonel of the Sydney University Regiment.
2014–2019: Chief Scout of Scouts Australia NSW.
- 2019–2024: Chief Scout of Australia
2014–2019: Honorary Colonel of the Royal New South Wales Regiment.
2014–2019: Honorary Air Commodore of No. 22 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force.
2014–2019: Deputy Prior of the Order of St John.
- 2019–2024: Prior of the Order of St John
2014–2019: Governor of the New South Wales Police Force.
2016: Honorary Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (Hon.FTSE).
2019–2024: Patron of Rugby Australia.
2019–2024: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
2019–2024: Colonel of the Regiment of the Royal Australian Regiment