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Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia

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The Governor-General

His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia

Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC was born in Wiluna, Western Australia in 1937, and educated at Kent Street High School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

The Governor-General

He graduated into Infantry and served operationally in Malaya, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After command of all combat elements of the Army from platoon to division—including the Special Air Service Regiment—he retired in 1993 to assume the appointment of Governor of Western Australia, which he held for almost seven years. His major interests during his tenure were in youth affairs, education, environment and the family.

For his services to the State he was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and a Citizen of Western Australia.

On his retirement as Governor in 2000 he established in Perth, a not-for-profit research institute—Future Directions International (FDI)—whose object is to examine longer term issues facing Australia.

On 20 December 2000 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University.

On 11 August 2003 he was sworn in as the twenty-fourth Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

He and his wife Marlena have four children and five grandchildren. General Jeffery enjoys golf, cricket, fishing, reading and music.

 

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