Peter Varghese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Varghese
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Varghese, pictured in 2009.
|
|
| Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | |
| In office 3 December 2012 – 20 July 2016 |
|
| Preceded by | Dennis Richardson |
| Succeeded by | Frances Adamson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter Joseph Noozhumurry Varghese
19 March 1956 British Kenya |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Alma mater | University of Queensland |
| Occupation | Diplomat; Public servant |
Peter Joseph Noozhumurry Varghese AO was born on March 19, 1956. He is an Australian who used to work as a diplomat and a public servant. A diplomat helps represent their country to other nations. A public servant works for the government.
He was the top leader, called the Secretary, for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This department helps Australia deal with other countries and trade. He held this important job from 2012 to 2016. In 2016, he left this role to become the chancellor of the University of Queensland. The chancellor is like the head of a university.
Contents
Peter's Early Life and School
Peter Varghese was born in Kenya. His parents were from India, living in Kenya. In 1964, when he was a child, his family moved to Australia. They first lived in Newcastle, then moved to Brisbane two years later.
He went to the University of Queensland. There, he studied history. He did very well in his studies and even received a special award called a university medal.
Peter's Career as a Diplomat
Peter Varghese had a long and important career working for the Australian government. He worked in many different countries and held several key positions.
Early Diplomatic Roles
His first job as a diplomat was in Vienna, Austria. He worked at the Australian Embassy there from 1980 to 1983. Later, he worked at the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. in the United States from 1986 to 1988.
From 1989 to 1990, Peter Varghese was a speechwriter for Australia's Foreign Minister, Gareth Evans. This means he helped write speeches for the minister.
Important Roles in Australia
In 1991, Peter Varghese started taking on more senior roles within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He became an Assistant Secretary, helping manage staff.
In 1994, he worked at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. After that, he became the First Assistant Secretary of the Public Affairs Division from 1994 to 1996. This role involved managing how the department communicated with the public.
From 1996 to 1997, he led a team that wrote Australia's first "white paper" on foreign and trade policy. A white paper is a detailed report that sets out a government's plans and policies.
High Commissioner and Senior Adviser
In 2000, Peter Varghese was appointed the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia. A High Commissioner is like an ambassador, representing Australia in a Commonwealth country. He served in Malaysia until 2002.
From 2003 to 2004, he worked as a Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. This was a very important role, advising the Prime Minister on international matters.
From 2004 to 2009, Peter Varghese was the Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. This is an Australian government agency that provides intelligence and advice directly to the Prime Minister.
From 2009 to 2012, he was the Australian High Commissioner to India. He also represented Australia in Bhutan at the same time.
Leading the Department
In December 2012, Peter Varghese became the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is the highest public servant position in that department. He held this role until July 2016.
In 2015, he announced he would leave this job in 2016. He decided to become the chancellor of the University of Queensland, where he had studied as a young man.
Awards and Recognition
Peter Varghese has received special awards for his excellent work.
In 2010, he was given the title of an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his distinguished service to public administration. It specifically highlighted his work in leading reforms in Australia's intelligence community and advising on foreign policy and international security.
In 2013, the University of Queensland gave him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree. This was to recognize his outstanding service in diplomacy and to the Australian Public Service.
Peter's Family Life
Peter Varghese is married and has an adult son.
