Peter Cosgrove facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, CVO, MC
Cosgrove in 2017

26th Governor-General of Australia
In office 28 March 2014 – 1 July 2019
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Prime Minister	Tony Abbott Malcolm Turnbull Scott Morrison
Preceded by	Dame Quentin Bryce
Succeeded by	David Hurley
Administrator of the Commonwealth
In office 30 April 2023 – 10 May 2023
Monarch	Charles III
Governor General	David Hurley
Prime Minister	Anthony Albanese

Personal details
Born	Peter John Cosgrove (1947-07-28) 28 July 1947 (age 78) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Spouses	Lynne, Lady Cosgrove (née Payne)
Children	3
Alma mater	Royal Military College, Duntroon National Defence College, India
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Years of service	1965–2005
Rank	General
Commands	Chief of the Defence Force (2002–05) Chief of Army (2000–02) Land Command Australia (2000) International Force East Timor (1999–00) 1st Division (1998–99) 6th Brigade (1992–93) 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1983–84)
Battles/wars	Vietnam War International Force East Timor
Awards	Knight of the Order of Australia Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Military Cross Complete list

General Sir Peter John Cosgrove (born 28 July 1947) is a retired senior Army officer. He served as the 26th Governor-General of Australia from 2014 to 2019.

Peter Cosgrove graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He fought in the Vietnam War and received the Military Cross award in 1971. He led the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999. This force helped keep peace in East Timor as it became an independent nation.

Cosgrove was the Chief of Army from 2000 to 2002. He then became the Chief of the Defence Force from 2002 to 2005. After leaving the army, he helped rebuild communities in Queensland after Cyclone Larry in 2006. In 2014, he became the Governor-General of Australia. He was also made a Knight of the Order of Australia on the same day. Sir Peter Cosgrove retired in 2019.

Early Life and Education
Military Service and Leadership
After the Military
- Helping Communities After Cyclone Larry
- Other Roles and Community Work
Governor-General
Personal Life
Honours and Awards
See also

Early Life and Education

Viceregal styles of Sir Peter Cosgrove (2014–2019)

Reference style	His Excellency the Honourable
Spoken style	Your Excellency

Peter Cosgrove was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 28 July 1947. He went to Waverley College in Sydney. Following his father, who was a warrant officer in the army, Peter joined the Australian Army. He attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1965.

His uncle, Bill Cosgrove, was a professional Australian rules football player. Sadly, he was killed while serving with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. At Waverley College, Peter was a cadet and received an award for being a very efficient cadet. Later, the college named an award after him, the General Cosgrove Shield. This award honors the most senior officer to graduate from the cadet unit each year.

Military Service and Leadership

Cosgrove at the Centenary of the Kangaroo March launch in 2013.

Peter Cosgrove became a second lieutenant in the army in 1968. He was sent to South Vietnam in 1969. While there, he showed great bravery. In one event, he led his platoon to attack enemy bunkers. His actions helped capture the area without any losses to his own team. He also surprised another group of enemies, causing them to run away. For these brave actions, he received the Military Cross award in 1971.

He continued to rise through the ranks. In the mid-1980s, he commanded the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Peter Cosgrove became widely known in 1999. As a major general, he led the international forces called INTERFET. This group went on a peacekeeping mission to East Timor. Their goal was to help East Timor become independent and keep the peace. The mission was very successful, and he became one of Australia's most respected military leaders.

After this, he returned to Australia. He was promoted to lieutenant general and became the Chief of the Army in 2000. In 2002, he was promoted to general and became the Chief of the Defence Force. This is the highest military position in Australia. His time as Chief of the Defence Force ended in 2005. He was succeeded by Air Marshal Angus Houston.

After the Military

Helping Communities After Cyclone Larry

After leaving the military, Peter Cosgrove continued to serve the community. In 2006, he was chosen to lead a special team. This team helped rebuild communities in northern Queensland that were badly damaged by Cyclone Larry. This was a very powerful tropical cyclone.

To recognize his important work after Cyclone Larry, a new suburb in Townsville was named Cosgrove in 2008.

Other Roles and Community Work

Peter Cosgrove also served on the board of Qantas, Australia's main airline, for many years. He has been involved with many other organizations as a leader or member. He was the Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University from 2010 to 2014. He is also an Honorary Patron for groups like the ACT Veterans Rugby Club and the Rosies Youth Mission. In 2015, he became the Patron of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.

Governor-General

Swearing in as Governor-General

On 28 January 2014, it was announced that Peter Cosgrove would become the next Governor-General of Australia. The Governor-General is the King's representative in Australia. He took over from Dame Quentin Bryce. On 28 March 2014, he was sworn in as Governor-General and became Sir Peter Cosgrove.

During his time as Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove supported the Lung Foundation Australia. He also met with important visitors, including Prince George and his parents, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, in April 2014.

Prince George with his parents and Sir Peter Cosgrove at Admiralty House, Sydney, April 2014

Sir Peter Cosgrove's term as Governor-General was extended until July 2019. This was to ensure a smooth changeover after state and federal elections. He was succeeded by General David Hurley.

In August 2019, after his term, he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen. In April and May 2023, he briefly served as the Administrator of the Commonwealth. This happened when the Governor-General and state governors were in London for the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla.

Personal Life

Peter Cosgrove married Lynne Payne in 1976. They have three sons and four grandchildren. He is a Roman Catholic and often attends Mass.

Cosgrove is a big fan of the Sydney Roosters rugby league team. He also enjoys watching cricket and rugby union. His memoir, a book about his life, is titled You shouldn't have joined ... and was published in 2020.

Lady Cosgrove in 2017

Honours and Awards

	Knight of the Order of Australia (AK)	28 March 2014
	Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)	25 March 2000 (Military division)	For excellent service to the Australian Defence Force as the Commander of the International Force East Timor
	Member of the Order of Australia (AM)	26 January 1985 (Military division)	For service as Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
	Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)	12 August 2019
	Military Cross (MC)	12 February 1971	For bravery in Vietnam
	Knight of the Order of St John	28 March 2014
	Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975		with Vietnam clasp
	Vietnam Medal
	Australian Active Service Medal		with East Timor clasp
	International Force East Timor Medal		(INTERFET)
	Australian Service Medal 1945–1975
	Centenary Medal	1 January 2001	For service to Australian society as Chief of the Defence Force
	Defence Force Service Medal with Federation Star		For 40–44 years of service
	National Medal	16 October 1980	For long and diligent service to the community, including in emergencies
	Australian Defence Medal
	Vietnam Campaign Medal		Republic of Vietnam
	Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2000	New Zealand
	Commander of the Legion of Merit		United States
	Tong-il Medal of the Order of National Security Merit		South Korea
	Officer of the Legion of Honour		France
	Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry	28 May 2002	Portugal
	Distinguished Service Order	7 September 2004	Singapore
	Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste	30 August 2009	Timor-Leste
	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great	7 February 2013	Holy See
	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Tonga	3 July 2015	Tonga
	Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín	9 August 2016	Argentina
	Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty	6 July 2018	Portugal
	Infantry Combat Badge
Other awards
	Australian of the Year	26 January 2001	He accepted this award for all Australians who served in East Timor.