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National President
Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd)
Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC was appointed National President of the Scout Association of Australia on 21 June 2008. He previously served as Chief Scout of Western Australia during his seven-year term as Governor of that state (1993-2000), and Chief Scout of Australia during his five-year term as Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (2003-2008).
Born in Wiluna, Western Australia, in 1937 and educated at Kent Street High School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Major General Jeffery graduated into Infantry and served operationally in Malaya, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After command of all combat elements of the Army from platoon to division – including the Special Air Service Regiment – he retired in 1993 to assume the appointment of Governor of Western Australia, which he held for almost seven years. His major interests during his tenure were youth affairs, education, environment and the family.
For his services to the State he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and a Citizen of Western Australia.
On his retirement as Governor in 2000 he established a Perth-based not-for-profit research institute – Future Directions International (FDI) – whose object is to examine longer term issues facing Australia.
On 20 December 2000 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University.
On 11 August 2003 he was sworn in as the twenty-fourth Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, serving in that capacity until 5 September 2008.
Upon his retirement as Governor-General, he has accepted Chairmanship of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, FDI and Outcomes Australia, along with patronages of a number of other not-for-profit organisations.
Major General Jeffery is a Companion of the Order of Logohu (PNG), a Knight of St John, a Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary life member of the Returned and Services League.
He and his wife Marlena have four children and eight grandchildren. Major General Jeffery enjoys golf, cricket, fishing, reading and music.