DINNER-14 SEPTEMBER 2002. (CHIEF OF ARMY LIEUTENANT

GENERAL P.F. LEAHY AO)

Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Doctor John Yu, Colonel

Young, Distinguished Guests,

On behalf of the Australian Army, John, let me thank you for your generous

toast. In return I congratulate UNSWR on the occasion of its fiftieth

anniversary.

It occurred to me recently that my affiliations with the Australian Army and

the University of News South Wales extend over nearly the same amount of

time.

I entered the Royal Military College as an aspiring officer in January 1971.

By the end of February of that same year I was enrolled as an undergraduate

in the Faculty of Arts at this University. Ultimately, I graduated from both

institutions in December 1974, under the arrangements, which then prevailed

for the education of officers.

The links between the profession of arms and this University are deep and

venerable. It was recognised in the late 1960’s that the Australian Army

required future leaders who were well equipped with a liberal education.

Examination of the global situation today thoroughly vindicates that the

prescience of that judgement. The modern soldier can be engaged in a

spectrum of operations from traditional warfare right through to sensitive

humanitarian tasks.

The modern commander must be a warrior, a diplomat, a humanitarian

worker, a lawyer and public relations expert all rolled into one. The modern

battlespace is a complex environment and even tactical matters can have

immediate, real time impacts on our National reputation and security.

Now, more than ever, we need men and women of judgement, intellectual

breadth and cultural sensitivity to protect Australia’s interests in a very

volatile world.

In other words, the nexus between the military and our institutions of higher

learning has never been more vital.

I commend this University for its superb contribution to the preparation of

the leaders of the ADF. That contribution, which commenced in the late

1960s continues to this day.

And of course, even before that affiliation with the permanent forces

commenced, UNSWR had forged the link between Athens and Sparta. For

fifty years this Regiment has been training young officers for our Army.

Your alumni are extremely distinguished.

I congratulate you on your past contribution to the Australian Army. And I

wish you even greater success in the years to come.