16 Facts About Penelope Wensley

Penelope Wensley was previously High Commissioner to India from 2001 to 2004 and Ambassador to France from 2005 to 2008.

Penelope Anne Wensley was born in Toowoomba, Queensland, to Neil Wensley and his wife Doris McCulloch.

Penelope Wensley was educated at Penrith High School in New South Wales, the Rosa Bassett School in London, and the University of Queensland, where she graduated with a first class Honours degree in English and French literature.

Penelope Wensley was a resident of the Women's College there.

Penelope Wensley was posted to Paris, returned to work in Australia, and was then given a posting in Mexico.

Penelope Wensley was consul general in Hong Kong from 1986 to 1988.

In 1994, Penelope Wensley was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by the University of Queensland.

Penelope Wensley was Ambassador for the Environment from 1992 to 1996.

Penelope Wensley then became the first woman to be Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations in New York between 1997 and 2001.

Penelope Wensley was then appointed as the first female Australian High Commissioner to India, a role she held until 2004.

On 24 January 2013, Penelope Wensley's term was extended to July 2014.

Since 2015, Penelope Wensley has served as chair of the Australian Institute of Marine Science Council.

Penelope Wensley is chair of the advisory committee for Reef 2050, an advisory body working with the Australian and Queensland governments on a plan to protect and improve the Great Barrier Reef.

Penelope Wensley serves on the board of the Lowy Institute.

Penelope Wensley has been long-term patron of Soil Science Australia and is currently the National Soils Advocate of Australia.

Penelope Wensley was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2001, a Dame of the Order of St John in 2008, a Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit by the French government in 2009, and was advanced to Companion of the Order of Australia in 2011.