Before they were Governors General
Sunday, 30 December 2018
I'm privileged to be a member of a few websites where former defence force members get together to share photos and stories.
I thought you might be interested in these shots of the current and incoming Governors General!
Here's a dashing young Lieutenant Peter Cosgrove.....
...as a platoon commander in Vietnam in 1970 - pointing out the location of an enemy Burmese Python which had infiltrated the Australian base....
....this is his platoon sergeant Frank Johnson dealing with the prisoner!
And here's a young platoon commander David Hurley, 24 Platoon, C Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Blamey Barracks, Kapooka - 1978 (front row centre with the pips on his shoulders).
I was really struck by some of the comments from blokes who've served with Sir Peter and General Hurley - here's a sample:
Had the pleasure of the Boss being my CO, Brigade Commander, Comd Land Forces, Comd in East Timor. Great man who never forgot a face or your family. Sad to see him leave the post of GG, He and Lady Lynn were great ambassadors.
I had the pleasure to watch GEN Cosgrove from 1998 - 99 when he went to Timor. He showed that no matter how long you have served there is always room for new learning and the opportunity to help others achieve / succeed - 1998 was the ABCA exercise and 1999 was deployment to Timor. I think this is why I was very pleased when he became the GG.
I read Sir Peter’s book... it’s a cracker (makes a difference if you are/were in the Army to appreciate the subtleties). A good understanding of why he became a true Leader.
The Australian Regular Army had a very strong culture amongst its officers that the interests of the troops always took first priority. That was manifested in very practical ways, for example the officers would always wait until the troops had been served a meal out bush before they, the officers could eat.
Men like Sir Peter and General Hurley bring those strong traditions of duty and selflessness to the leadership of our country.
I wish more of that rubbed off on the elected mob in parliament.