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On 1st July 2020, we were honoured to announce the appointment of General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (RETD) as our Patron.

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He has a lasting connection to Vietnam, following his early military service and subsequently being awarded the Military Cross. Sir Peter has been a leading voice on Australia-Vietnam relations and as Governor General was involved with the AVLD.  A highlight for us was when he hosted AVLD’s announcement event at Admiralty House in Sydney in 2019. 

 

In 2018, in his role as Governor-General of Australia, Sir Peter and his wife Lady Cosgrove had a State Visit to Vietnam.  He was received by Vietnam’s top leaders and together marked 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia.  During that visit, Sir Peter had the opportunity to meet leading alumni of the AVLD.

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OUR PATRON

In accepting the position, General Sir Peter Cosgrove provided the following comments:

“Australia’s relationship with Vietnam has never been more important, and the AVLD is the leading platform to harness the power of young people to drive the relationship.

I have personally met many of the exceptional alumni of the AVLD, and have been inspired by the diversity and quality of this group of young Australian and Vietnamese leaders.

AVLD transforms delegates as individuals, and through the experience, leads to new perspectives and momentum in the Australia Vietnam relationship.

I am delighted to be the AVLD Patron and be able to contribute to a transformative Dialogue that connects changemakers to contribute to a more sustainable future for Australia, Vietnam and the region.”

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ABOUT SIR PETER COSGROVE

General the Honourable, AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (RETD) | AVLD Patron

Born into an Army family, Sir Peter Cosgrove attended Waverley College in Sydney before graduating from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1968. His first deployment was in Malaysia with the 1st Battalion RAR and later in Vietnam he commanded an infantry platoon. He served as Commander of INTERFET in East Timor in 1999 overseeing that country’s transition to independence. Then promoted to Chief of Army and later Chief of the Australian Defence Force.  He retired from the ADF in 2005 serving on several boards before becoming a Knight in the Order of Australia when sworn in as Governor-General in 2014 and serving until June 2019. Sir Peter was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen in August 2019.  

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In retirement, he remains involved with defence, health and other charitable organisations.  In January 2020 Sir Peter accepted the voluntary role as chairman of the Business Council of Australia’s Community Rebuilding Initiative in response to the 2019/20 bushfires, leading a group of eminent business and community leaders to work with government and the community in the rebuilding process.

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Sir Peter is also an avid sports fan with a particular interest in Rugby and Cricket.  Married to Lynne since 1976, they have three sons and delight in their three young grandchildren.

Additional information about some of Sir Peter’s awards and honours:

  • The Military Cross (MC) for his performance and leadership in Vietnam during an assault on enemy positions (1971)

  • Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for service in command 1983-84.

  • Promoted to Companion of Order of Australia (AC) for leadership of INTERFET

  • Australian of the Year in 2001

  • Knight in the Order of Australia in 2014

  • Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, appointed by Her Majesty the Queen in August 2019.

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