Biography - Dr Hollingworth and Mrs Hollingworth

Right Reverend the Honourable Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE

Peter Hollingworth was born on 10 April 1935 in Adelaide. Both his parents grew up in South Australia, his mother belonging to one of the State's pioneering families. In 1941, the family settled in East Malvern in Victoria where he attended the Lloyd Street and Murrumbeena State Schools, before going to Scotch College and then taking on a commercial cadetship with BHP.

During his National Service in 1953, Peter was drafted to the Padre's Office as secretary and found his vocation to the priesthood. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Licentiate of Theology, having resided at Trinity College.

He met his wife Ann while still on National Service and married in 1960. The Hollingworths have three daughters, Deborah, Fiona and Sarah, and four grandchildren.

After completing his studies, Peter became Deacon-in-Charge and then Priest-in-Charge of St Mary's, North Melbourne as part of an innovative inner city team ministry. Four years later, he was appointed as Chaplain to the Brotherhood of St Laurence where he served for a total of 25 years in a range of different positions, ultimately as Executive Director. During this period, he completed a Master of Arts Degree in Social Work at Melbourne University and wrote several books based on his experiences working with the poor and disadvantaged.

He was elected Canon of St Paul's Cathedral in 1980 and consecrated Bishop in the Inner City in 1985. He was elected Archbishop of Brisbane in 1989.

Peter has served on a number of social action committees, and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1976 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988. Following his Chairmanship of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless (IYSH) National NGO Committee, he was Australian of the Year for 1992, during which he promoted the cause of the young unemployed.

On 22 May 2001, Peter received the Lambeth Degree of Doctor of Letters from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey for his work in the area of Christian Social Ethics and Social Welfare.

Dr Peter Hollingworth was sworn in as Australia's 23rd Governor-General on 29 June 2001. Following his request to resign from the office, his commission as Governor-General was revoked as of 29 May 2003.

Mrs Ann Hollingworth

19 May 1936 – 13 April 2021

Born Kathleen Ann Turner on 19 May 1936 in Brighton, Melbourne, the eldest of four sisters, Ann spent her early years in Hobart at Fahan School before moving with her family to Melbourne. She attended Korowa Church of England Girls Grammar School and went on to study physiotherapy at Melbourne University.

After graduating, Ann worked for two years at Mt Royal Geriatric Centre before specialising in obstetric physiotherapy, running her own practice.

She and Peter married in 1960. They have three children, Deborah, Fiona and Sarah and four grandchildren.

Ann maintained her physiotherapy practice throughout married life, specialising in turn in geriatrics, women's health and orthopaedics, finally working at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane. She retired from practice in 1998.