National President

The Honourable General David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Retd)

General David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Retd)

General Hurley is a strong supporter of Scouting, with a long involvement. He and his wife Linda have served as Cub Scout, Scout and Venturer Scout Leaders, as well as David previously fulfilling the duties of Chief Scout of NSW and Chief Scout of Australia with enthusiasm and passion. As Chief Scout, he hosted 2,000 Scouts at Government House for the Governor General’s Camp in 2024 – an absolute high point in terms of real-world engagement between a Chief Scout and our program. 

David Hurley was born in Wollongong, growing up in Port Kembla, New South Wales. He joined the Australian Army in 1972, and served a long and distinguished 42-year military career, culminating with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force, a role he retired from in June 2014. During his time in the Defence Force, David graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1975 and with a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from Deakin University in 1991. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Wollongong in 2013. He commanded the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment during Operation SOLACE in Somalia in 1993, served in Darwin and East Timor during 1999/2000, and held strategic leadership roles prior to his promotion to General and Chief of the Defence Force.

Following his retirement, General Hurley was awarded a Doctor of the University, honoris causa, from the University of New South Wales in 2015; made a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering in 2016; and awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Macquarie University in 2017.

General Hurley received the Distinguished Service Cross in 1993; was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Australian Defence Force in 2010; and appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2024 by His Majesty The King.

Prior to being sworn in as Governor-General in June 2019, David Hurley served as the 38th Governor of New South Wales from October 2014 – May 2019.

His enthusiasm and passion for the Scouting movement is unquestionable. Given this demonstrated personal commitment, we believe this appointment will truly inspire and engage our youth members.

David Hurley has accepted the nomination to be the President of the National Council of the Scout Association of Australia.