The Robert Menzies Institute invites you to the 2025 ANZAC Oration to be delivered by General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retired).

2025 marks the 60th anniversary since Menzies’s commitment of a battalion of troops to the Vietnam War. We are honoured that former Governor General and Chief of the Australian Defence Force will deliver this year’s ANZAC Oration on the topic ‘Vietnam as an Uncivil War: From the 60s to the new millennium. What’s happening to our Civility?’

Tuesday 29 April 2025, 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Formalities: 6:00pm)
University Hall, North Wing, Old Quadrangle, University of Melbourne

Tickets: $50 General Admission or Free for Members

If you are not a member of the Robert Menzies Institute, you can join us now by clicking here.

About Sir Peter Cosgrove

Born into an Army family, Peter Cosgrove attended WaverleyCollege in Sydney before graduating from the Royal Military CollegeDuntroon in 1968. His first deployment was in Malaysia with the 1st Battalion RAR andlater in Vietnam he commanded an infantry platoon. He served asCommander of INTERFET in East Timor in 1999 overseeing thatcountry’s transition to independence. Then promoted to Chief ofArmy and later Chief of the Australian Defence Force.

He retired from the ADF in 2005 serving on several boards before becoming a Knight in the Order of
Australia when sworn in as Governor-General in 2014 and serving until June 2019. Sir Peter was
appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen in August 2019. In
April 2023 Sir Peter was commissioned by His Majesty King Charles III at the recommendation of
Prime Minister Albanese to serve when required as the Administrator of the Commonwealth
Government of Australia.

In retirement, he remains involved with defence, health and other charitable organisations. Among his other charitable involvements, Sir Peter accepted the voluntary role as chairman ofBizRebuild the business-led initiative, developed by the Business Council of Australia, to providepractical and on the ground assistance to small and local businesses left devastated by the 2019/20and subsequent bushfires and floods. In 2022 he become the inaugural national patron of theAustralian Defence Force Cadets. Since 2023 he has served as Ambassador for the commemorationsof the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.