David Hurley

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC, DSC
General David Hurley in January 2014
38th Governor of New South Wales
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 October 2014
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Premier	Mike Baird Gladys Berejiklian
Preceded by	Dame Marie Bashir
Lieutenant	Tom Bathurst
Personal details
Born	1953 Wollongong, New South Wales
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Linda Hurley
Children	Caitlin Hurley Marcus Hurley Amelia Hurley
Residence	Government House, Sydney
Website	Office of the Governor
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1972–2014
Rank	General
Commands	Chief of the Defence Force (2011–14) Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2008–11) Chief of Joint Operations (2007–08) Chief of Capability Development Group (2003–07) Land Commander Australia (2002–03) 1st Brigade (1999–00) 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1991–93)
Battles/wars	Operation Solace
Awards	Companion of the Order of Australia Distinguished Service Cross Knight of the Order of St John Complete list

Viceregal styles of David Hurley
Reference style	His Excellency
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Alternative style	Sir

General David John Hurley AC, DSC (born 1953) is a former senior officer in the Australian Army, and the 38th and current Governor of New South Wales. In a 42-year military career, Hurley was deployed on Operation Solace in Somalia in 1993, commanded the 1st Brigade (1999–00), and was appointed the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group (2003–07). His career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) on 4 July 2011, in succession to Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston. Hurley retired from the Defence Force in June 2014, and succeeded Dame Marie Bashir as Governor of New South Wales on 2 October the same year.

David Hurley was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, the son of Norma and James Hurley. His father was an Illawarra steelworker and his mother worked in a grocery store. Hurley grew up in Port Kembla, attended Port Kembla High School where he completed his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies. He is married to Linda and has three children.

Hurley joined the Australian Army in January 1972, and graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in December 1975 into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His initial posting was to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). Promoted to captain, he was appointed Adjutant of the Sydney University Regiment before becoming Regimental Adjutant of the Royal Australian Regiment. He went on exchange to the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards (British Army) before serving with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR).