Rosies Patron in Chief

On his appointment as Governor-General of Australia, Rosies extended an invitation to Sir Peter to deepen his ties with the organisation through vice-regal patronage. Sir Peter confirmed he wished to continue his close association with Rosies, an organisation he once characterised as ‘compassion with its sleeves rolled up’, and was formally elevated to Patron in Chief on May 7, 2005 with Mrs Forde continuing as Patron.

Sir Peter was the Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 3 July 2002 until his retirement on 30 June 2005. He served in the Australian Army in a variety of roles in Australia and overseas after entering Royal Military College of Duntroon in 1965.

One of his greatest achievements was his command of the international forces in East Timor from 1999 until the force was withdrawn in February 2000, for which Peter Cosgrove was appointed a Companion of the Military Division of the Order of Australia.

He was awarded the Military Cross for his service in Vietnam early in his career and has received several foreign awards including the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) and Commander of the United States Legion of Merit. Peter Cosgrove was Australian of the Year in 2001.