I was in Parliament this morning for the swearing-in of the new Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, the much-decorated soldier and former Chief of the Defence Force. It was a solemn and symbolic occasion, but the speeches afterwards were warm and full of good humour.
Sir Peter quoted Wellington, the famous British general turned statesman. He said that he would be a Governor General for all Australians, but that the military would always hold a special place in his heart. His appointment is very fitting at this time, as he will be officiating at many events to commemorate the centenary of the First World War over the next few years. I spent quite a bit of time watching rugby matches with him last year during the British and Irish Lions tour– he was on the board of Australian Rugby.
Earlier in the week I had attended a farewell reception at Parliament for outgoing Governor General, HE Dame Quentin Bryce. The Prime Minister and Opposition leader spoke very warmly about her distinguished period in office. A former academic lawyer and Governor of Queensland, she was Australia’s first female Governor General. She won plaudits in the role from all sides of Australian politics and from the public at large.
During her time in office Her Excellency played a prominent role in representing Australia’s support for its men and women in uniform, as the country responded to sad losses of military personnel in Afghanistan. She has also been able to use the post to reflect her longstanding interests in working with young people and indigenous Australian communities. Whenever I have met her the Governor General always talks very warmly of her relationship with HM The Queen and she told me that attending the Jubilee celebrations in London was a special memory for her.