1. Michael Jeffery was the 28th governor of Western Australia from 1993 to 2000, and the 24th governor-general of Australia, serving from 2003 to 2008.
20 Facts About Michael Jeffery
1. 2.
From Perth, Western Australia, Jeffery graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and served in the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War, being awarded the Military Cross during the latter conflict.
3.
Michael Jeffery was at various stages commander of the Special Air Service Regiment and the 1st Division, and subsequently Deputy Chief of General Staff, before retiring from active service in 1993.
4.
Michael Jeffery was the first career Australian Army officer to hold the position, and was succeeded by Quentin Bryce.
5.
Michael Jeffery was born in Wiluna, Western Australia, on 12 December 1937, and was educated at Kent Street Senior High School.
6.
In 1972, Michael Jeffery was promoted to lieutenant colonel, commanding the 2nd Battalion of the Pacific Islands Regiment from 1974 to 1975.
7.
Michael Jeffery assumed command of the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth from 7 January 1976 until 22 October 1977, and was then promoted to colonel as the first Director of the Army's Special Action Forces in 1979.
8.
From 1982 to 1983, Michael Jeffery headed Australia's national counter-terrorist co-ordination authority.
9.
Michael Jeffery retired from the army in 1993, and was appointed to the ceremonial position of Honorary Colonel of the SASR.
10.
In November 1993, Michael Jeffery was appointed Governor of Western Australia and in June 1996 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia.
11.
Michael Jeffery was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on 1 April 2000.
12.
Michael Jeffery received some criticism from the Labor opposition and sections of the media for appearing to take positions on political issues.
13.
Michael Jeffery was formally appointed by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia and sworn in on 11 August 2003, becoming the first Australian career soldier to become governor-general.
14.
In 2005, Michael Jeffery became a co-patron of the private, non-profit Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, founded by Chinese-Australian businessman Chau Chak Wing.
15.
On 8 April 2005, Michael Jeffery represented Australia at the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
16.
In 2007, in his position as governor-general, Michael Jeffery was appointed as the colonel-in-chief of the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, succeeding the previous colonel-in-chief, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
17.
Michael Jeffery left Yarralumla prior to the swearing-in of his successor, Quentin Bryce, the former Governor of Queensland.
18.
Gillard noted that, as Governor-General, Michael Jeffery had a passion for regional development and the future of our rural industries, a commitment he continued after leaving office.
19.
In June 2020, Michael Jeffery stepped down from this role, now the Patron of the Soil Cooperative Research Centre, due to illness.
20.
Michael Jeffery died on 18 December 2020, at the age of 83.