Former GG Michael Jeffery dies
The Governor-General has made the following statement following news of the passing of Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).
FILE PHOTO (2004): Then Governor General General Michael Jeffery at a Reserve Forces Day march in Sydney. Photo by Leading Seaman Bill Louys.
“Linda and I are saddened at the news of Michael Jeffery’s passing,” the Governor-General said.
“On behalf of all Australians, our thoughts are with Marlena and the whole Jeffery family.
“As a nation, we give thanks for Michael’s extraordinary lifetime of service.
“He was, by every measure, a great Australian.
“After graduating from the Royal Military College in 1958 he served on operations in Malaya, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross.
“He held numerous commands, including of the Special Air Service Regiment, before retiring from the military in 1993.
“His distinguished military career was just one chapter in his lifetime of service.
“He became Governor of Western Australia in 1993 and, in 2003, Australia’s 24th Governor-General.
“After his term in office he became Australia’s first National Advocate for Soil Health.
“Throughout his career – in its many iterations – he worked tirelessly, put others ahead of himself and brought immense intellect, work ethic and commitment to everything he did.
“Unfailingly polite, he was, quite simply, a gentleman.
“He was also a husband, father and grandfather.
“Our thoughts – as we give thanks and acknowledge a lifetime of service – are with his loved ones.
“Vale.”
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From my time in the SASR, and later in civvy life while in command of a school army cadet unit, he was affectionately known as Colonel Avachat. That is until he became governor of WA. He was known for his affection for school based army cadet units and would often attend marching out parades. Spending time chatting to staff and cadets. I last spoke to him many years ago when he was on his way to officiate as the guest speaker at the school speech night. I mentioned to him that he was my CO in the regiment and he started to chat about what my life was like, unfortunately our conversation was brief as he was reminded by the headmaster that he had duties to attend and they were running late.
RIP sir.
The entire brigade 80 k route march full pack around Holsworthy range…….because???
I liked him anyway.
It would be good if you spelt his name correctly & consistently! Poor proofreading!
My bad.
Sorry.
Brian Hartigan
Editor
What impressed me about this great man was that he always had the time to visit Cadets when they were on parade at one of the functions he was attending. Many times in W.A. I was present with the Australian Air Force Cadets at his functions where after his official duties he spent a good deal of time with the kids. Fantastic. RIP Major general Jeffery, your memory will live long.