Peter Cosgrove AC, MC

General Peter Cosgrove retired from the army in 2005. Four years earlier, he had been Australian of the Year: "In every respect Peter Cosgrove demonstrated that he is a role model. The man at the top displayed those characteristics we value most as Australians - strength, determination, intelligence, compassion and humour."

The son of a soldier, he graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1968. He was sent to Malaysia as a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). During his next posting in Vietnam he commanded an infantry platoon and was awarded the Military Cross for his performance during an assault on enemy positions.

In 1999 Peter Cosgrove became a national figure following his appointment as Commander of the International Forces East Timor (Interfet). He was responsible for overseeing East Timor's transition to independence during, what was to become, a tense and uncertain period. He shone as both a soldier and diplomat. Always in his slouch hat, Peter Cosgrove was a strong and reassuring figure, appearing regularly in all forms of the media.

Following his achievements and the international respect that he had achieved, he was promoted and made Chief of the Army. He went on to be promoted to General and was appointed Chief of the Defence Force. Peter Cosgrove retired from the Army in July 2005.

In a long and distinguished career Peter Cosgrove has embodied that sense of duty and courage that Australians hold so dear to their hearts.

After retirement from the Armed Forces, General Cosgrove has accepted positions on the Qantas Board, a consultancy with Deloittes and has written his memoirs. He has recently been appointed Chairman of the General Sir John Monash Foundation. More recently, after Cyclone Larry devastated Far North Queensland, General Cosgrove was appointed Chairman of Operation Recovery Task Force.