AADA has, over the years, had a number of great Australians speak at AADA National Dealer Conventions and this year is no exception. Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC, who officially stepped down as Governor-General on 28 June, will address the AADA Carsales Luncheon on 11 September.
This unmissable function will see one of the greatest living Australians speak about a lifetime of service to his country, beginning as a soldier and graduating through the ranks to eventually become head of Australia’s army, then its entire armed forces, through to his time as our head of state. Sir Peter will be the most senior Australian official to ever attend an AADA National Dealer Convention, let alone speak at one.
In a military career spanning four decades, Sir Peter earned medals including the Military Cross, National Medal, Centenary Medal, Member of the Order of Australia and Companion of the Order of Australia. Named ‘Australian of the Year’ in 2001, he has also been honoured by New Zealand, Tonga and Timor-Leste.
Sir Peter served his country for nearly half a century, rising to international prominence in 1999 when, as Major General Cosgrove, he served as Commander of the international force in East Timor during the peacekeeping mission as part of the nation’s transition to independence.
The son of a soldier, he attended Waverley College in Sydney and graduated in 1968 from the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Early in his military career he fought in Vietnam, commanding a rifle platoon. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1971 for his performance and leadership during an assault on enemy positions.
In 1972 he served as Aide de Camp to Governor-General, Sir Paul Hasluck. He returned to regimental life as 2IC of a Company, rising to Adjutant then Company Commander in the Army’s 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR), then 5/7 RAR in Holsworthy, Sydney.
Subsequent appointments included a period as a tactics instructor at the Army’s Infantry Centre in Singleton, NSW; a year’s study at the US Marine Corps Staff College in Quantico, USA; extended periods of duty in the UK and India, and command of 1 RAR. He was appointed a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service in command in 1983-84.
Sir Peter served as Australia’s Chief of Army from 2000 to 2002, then Chief of the Defence Force from 2002 to 2005, before retiring as a full General.
Subsequently, he accepted positions on several boards, including QANTAS, Cardno and the Australian Rugby Union. He was appointed by the Queensland Government to lead the taskforce rebuilding communities in the Innisfail region following the devastation caused by Cyclone Larry in 2006. From 2007 to 2012 he chaired the Council of the Australian War Memorial, and served as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University from 2010 until early 2014.
In January 2014 Sir Peter was named as Australia’s Governor-General by then-Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and was created a Knight of the Order of Australia on 28 March 2014, the same day he was sworn in as Governor-General.
Sir Peter is one of the greatest living Australians. Universally respected and admired for his leadership and humanity, he has had a remarkable journey from young soldier, to war hero, to revered leader, to respected statesman.
Sir Peter will speak about his work and his country in an address that is sure to be wide-ranging, informative, educational and engrossing. You do not want to miss this living legend and national treasure.