Vale Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd)

The Governor-General has made the following statement at news of the passing of Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).

 “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.”