Peter Cosgrove facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General The Honourable
Sir Peter Cosgrove
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Cosgrove in 2017
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| 26th Governor-General of Australia | |
| In office 28 March 2014 – 1 July 2019 |
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| 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 |
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| Monarch | Charles III |
| Governor General | David Hurley |
| Prime Minister | Anthony Albanese |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter John Cosgrove
28 July 1947 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.
Sir Peter graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He fought in the Vietnam War and received the Military Cross in 1971. He led the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999. This mission helped East Timor become independent.
He was the Chief of Army from 2000 to 2002. Then he became the Chief of the Defence Force from 2002 to 2005. After retiring from the army, he helped rebuild communities in Queensland after Cyclone Larry in 2006. In 2014, he became the Governor-General of Australia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Peter Cosgrove was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 28 July 1947. He went to Waverley College in Sydney. Like his father, he joined the Australian Army and attended the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1965.
His uncle, Bill Cosgrove, was a professional Australian rules football player. He was killed while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. At Waverley College, Peter Cosgrove was a top cadet. The school later named an award after him, the General Cosgrove Shield. This award honors the most efficient senior officer to graduate from the cadet unit.
Military Service and Leadership
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Peter Cosgrove became a second lieutenant in 1968. He was sent to South Vietnam in 1969. On 10 October 1969, he led his platoon in an attack on enemy bunkers. His brave actions helped capture the area without any injuries to his team. A few days later, he surprised another enemy group, causing them to flee. For these actions, he received the Military Cross.
He continued to rise through the ranks. In the mid-1980s, he commanded the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
Leading the East Timor Mission
In 1999, Peter Cosgrove became well-known. As a major general, he led the international forces (INTERFET) in a peacekeeping mission to East Timor. This mission was very successful. It helped East Timor move towards independence. This made him one of Australia's most respected military leaders.
After East Timor, he became Land Commander Australia in 2000. He was promoted to Chief of the Army. In 2002, he became a general and the Chief of the Defence Force. He retired from active service in 2005.
Life After the Military
Helping After Cyclone Larry
On 23 March 2006, Peter Cosgrove was chosen to lead a special team. This team helped rebuild communities in Queensland that were damaged by Cyclone Larry. This was a very strong tropical cyclone.
To recognize his important work, a new suburb in Townsville was named Cosgrove in 2008.
Other Important Roles
Peter Cosgrove also served on the board of Qantas, Australia's main airline. He was also the Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University. He is involved with many other community groups. In 2015, he became the Patron of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.
Becoming Governor-General
On 28 January 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Queen Elizabeth II had agreed to appoint Peter Cosgrove as the next Governor-General of Australia. He took over from Dame Quentin Bryce.
On 28 March 2014, Peter Cosgrove was sworn in as Governor-General. He also became a Knight of the Order of Australia on the same day. As Governor-General, he supported the Lung Foundation Australia.
In 2018, it was announced that General David Hurley would be the next Governor-General. Sir Peter Cosgrove's term was extended until July 2019 to ensure a smooth changeover.
In August 2019, he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen. In 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 King Charles III.
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 in St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra.
He is a big fan of the Sydney Roosters rugby league team. He also enjoys cricket and rugby union. His memoir, You shouldn't have joined ..., was published in 2020.
Honours and Awards
Peter Cosgrove has received many awards for his service. These include:
- Knight of the Order of Australia (AK)
- Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his leadership in East Timor
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
- Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
- Military Cross (MC) for his bravery in Vietnam
- Knight of the Order of St John
- Various service medals like the Australian Active Service Medal and Vietnam Medal
- The Centenary Medal for his service to Australia
- The National Medal for long service in hazardous situations
He also received awards from other countries, including:
- Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (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 (Portugal)
- Distinguished Service Order (Singapore)
- Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Gregory the Great (Holy See)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Tonga (Tonga)
- Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín (Argentina)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty (Portugal)
In 2001, he was named Australian of the Year. He accepted this award on behalf of all Australians who served in East Timor.
Honorary Appointments
- 2022–Present: Patron of the Australian Defence Force Cadets
- 2014–2019: Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
- 2014–2019: Colonel of the Regiment of the Royal Australian Regiment
- 2014–2019: Chief Scout of Australia
- 2014–2019: Prior of the Order of St John
Honorary Degrees
- 2016: Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Monash University
Named in His Honour
- The suburb of Cosgrove in Townsville, Queensland.
- The Cosgrove Centre at Waverley College, Sydney, New South Wales.
Images for kids
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See Also
- List of governors-general of Australia
- List of Australian of the Year Award recipients
