Major General Michael Jeffery, took his oath of office in the morning of August 11, 2003, to become Australia's 24th Governor-General since Australian Federation in 1901. He retired in September 2008 and was succeeded by former Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce.
General Jeffery's appointment was announced on June 22, 2003, by then Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
General Jeffery succeeded Archbishop Dr Peter Hollingworth who resigned in the wake of public controversy.
General Jeffery is a former Special Air Service commander and one-time governor of Western Australia.
'A great privilege'
"It's a great privilege to be appointed Governor-General from the 11th of August," he was quoted in the Sydney Daily Telegraph of June 23.
"I want to give my total commitment to the Australian people that I will endeavour... to be a Governor-General of the people and for the people."
General Jeffery was Governor of Western Australia for seven years from 1993.
He was born in the West Australian goldfields.
General Jeffery and his wife Marlena have four children, three of whom are serving army officers.
Dr Peter Hollingworth, whom he succeeded, served as Australian Governor-General from 2001 to May 25, 2003.
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