Minister for Veterans Affairs Bruce Billson is delighted to announce that General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret’d) has been elected chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial.

General Cosgrove, the former Chief of Australia's Defence Force, replaces outgoing chairman Major General Adrian Clunies-Ross AO MBE (Ret’d) who has served with distinction as chairman since November 2000, after being first appointed to the Council in 1996.

"I would firstly like to congratulate General Cosgrove on his appointment and also thank Major General Clunies-Ross for his outstanding service, during a time of remarkable achievement at the Australian War Memorial (AWM)," Mr Billson said.

General Cosgrove had a distinguished military career, serving in Vietnam and being awarded the Military Cross.  In 1999 he served as Commander of the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters and of International Forces in East Timor.  During this turbulent period he oversaw East Timor's historic transition to independence.

General Cosgrove was later appointed Chief of Army and Chief of the Defence Force, before retiring in 2005.  He was appointed to the AWM Council in June 2006, having been an ex officio member in 2000-2002.

"General Cosgrove is an outstanding Australian who brings with him an enormous amount of respect and experience to the position of Chairman.  Major General Clunies-Ross leaves one of our nation's finest institutions in wonderful shape and General Cosgrove will help build on his achievements," Mr Billson said.

"Some of the capital works for which Major General Clunies-Ross can be particularly proud are the construction of the post-1945 conflicts galleries, and the ANZAC Hall."

As part of the continuing legacy of commemorating Australia’s war time service, the AWM Council is responsible for the policy, conduct and control of the affairs of the Memorial.

Media inquiries: Cameron Hill 0408 239 521
Editor’s Note: Brief biographies of new chairman General Peter Cosgrove and outgoing chairman Major General Adrian Clunies-Ross are attached.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES

General Peter Cosgrove AC MC (Ret'd)

General P. Cosgrove AC MC (Ret’d) was appointed to the AWM Council in June 2006 for a three-year term, having been an ex officio member in 2000-2002.  Following his graduation from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1968, he served in Malaysia as a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, RAR, before joining the Australian reinforcement unit in South Vietnam.
There he commanded an infantry platoon and was awarded the Military Cross for his work during an assault on enemy positions.  In 1999, as Commander of the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, he assumed command of the International Forces in East Timor, overseeing East Timor’s transition to independence.
On returning to Australia, General Cosgrove was appointed as Chief of Army, and then Chief of the Defence Force. He retired from this position in 2005. General Cosgrove was Australian of the Year in 2001.
He is a non-executive Director of Qantas, a consultant to Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu, Chairman of the South Australian Defence Industry Development Board and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Major General Adrian Clunies-Ross AO, MBE (Ret’d)

Major General Clunies-Ross has been a member of the Council since 29 May 1996 and was elected Chairman in November 2000.  Major General Clunies-Ross’s last appointment was as Chief of Operations – Army (1985–90).
Previously he had commanded the Army’s 1st Division (1984–85) and the 8th and 8/9th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment.  He was Colonel Commandant of the Royal Australian Regiment from 1993–1998.
He is currently Defence Adviser to the Returned and Services League of Australia and Chairman of the RSL National Defence Committee.  In June 2000 he was made a member of the Government’s Community Consultation Team prior to the publication of the Defence White Paper.
In July 2001, he was appointed to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Board of which he is Deputy Chairman.