Announcing our Patron: David Hurley

We are honoured to welcome General David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Retd) as an inaugural Patron of ASoP.

A distinguished leader with over four decades of service to Australia, General Hurley's contributions span military command, state and national vice-regal office, and community engagement. General Hurley began his career in the Australian Army in 1972 and graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, rising through the ranks to become Chief of the Defence Force in 2011.

Following his military career, he served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales (2014–2019) and subsequently as the 27th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (2019-2024).

General Hurley served as Governor-General during the Black Summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessing firsthand the profound mental health impacts of these crises. He remains deeply committed to supporting veterans' wellbeing and continues to champion mental health initiatives across Australia.

As Patron of ASoP, General Hurley lends his distinguished legacy of service, integrity, and national leadership to our mission of advancing best-practice mental health care and supporting psychiatrists across Australia.