The Australian Government established the role of the Patron of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cadets in 2022 to provide support, recognition and promotion of the cadets’ connection with the wider Australian community.
The inaugural Patron, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retired), was appointed on 7 April 2022. As a former cadet, Sir Peter knows the strong values, experience and mentorship the programs can provide to current and future cadets.
Sir Peter visits cadet units throughout Australia to engage with cadets and cadet staff, and to support their activities and experiences.
Inaugural Patron of the ADF Cadets, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC, introduced himself to the more than 28,000 cadets and their families in a video message.
Patron of ADF Cadets, Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (Retd) observes the Australian Air Force Cadets team complete the rope crawl obstacle in the Confidence Course at the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge at Kokoda Barracks, QLD.
Chris McGrane
Patron of ADF Cadets, General (Retd) Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC talks to participants from the Chief of Army Cadet Team Challenge 2023 at Kokoda Barracks in Canungra, South Queensland.
LSIS Nadav Harel
Patron of ADF Cadets, General (retd) Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC addresses cadets during the Australian Navy Cadets Fleet Engagement Camp at Cockatoo Island, NSW.
ABIS Benjamin Ricketts
Born into a military family, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retired) first began considering a career with Australia’s defence forces when he was an Army Cadet at Waverley College, Sydney in the early ’60s.
He happily joined the more than 400-strong school cadet unit, where he went on to win the Major General Chapman Cane Award for Best Cadet in Unit in 1964. Years later, that cadet unit has named an award the General Cosgrove Shield (for the most efficient Speciality in the Cadet Unit). It is presented each year to honour the achievements of the most senior ranking officer to graduate. Sir Peter remembers his time in cadets fondly and attributes many of his leadership qualities to the lessons he learned as a young cadet.
Sir Peter was the Chief of the Army from 2000 to 2002 and Chief of the Defence Force from 2002 to 2005. He then retired from active duty and went on to serve on several corporate boards before becoming the Governor-General of Australia in 2014. He was sworn in on 28 March 2014 and made a Knight of the Order of Australia (AK) on the same date. Following his retirement in 2019, Sir Peter was further honoured as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) by Her Majesty the Queen.
In retirement, Sir Peter continues to be involved with Defence, including his appointment as the Patron of the ADF Cadets. He is also actively engaged with health and charitable organisations.
Sir Peter married Lynne Payne in 1976, and together they have three sons and four young grandchildren.
He is an avid sports fan with a particular interest in rugby and cricket.
Commands
- Chief of the Defence Force (2002–05)
- Chief of Army (2000–02)
- Land Command Australia (2000)
- International Force East Timor (1999–00)
- 1st Division (1998–99)
- 6th Brigade (1992–93)
- 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1983–84)
Honours and awards
- Knight of the Order of Australia (AK) (2014)
- Companion of Order of Australia (AC) (military division) (2000); for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as the Commander of the International Force East Timor
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (military division) (1983–84); in recognition of service as Commanding Officer 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
- Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) (2019); appointed by Her Majesty the Queen
- Military Cross (MC) (1971); for performance and leadership in Vietnam during an assault on enemy positions
- Australian of the Year (2001); he accepted this award on behalf of all those Australians who served in East Timor "I did a lot of the talking, they did all the working."