Sir Peter reflects on new chapter of a wonderful life

SIR Peter Cosgrove admits it crossed his mind he may have emptied the tank after penning his first work of non-fiction, the best-selling memoir My Story.

But an unexpected chapter unfolded after 2010 which gave him cause for a rethink.

“I went from thinking ‘somebody ought to write about that’ to the decision that ‘I will write about that’,” he says.

His second book, a memoir titled You Shouldn’t Have Joined…, is being released on October 27 ahead of next month’s Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival where he is a headline guest.

The former Defence chief and Governor-General is flattered to be involved with the three-day event which will be live streamed online for the first time.

Sir Peter will partake in an hour-long conversation with accomplished journalist Jenny Brockie on November 23.

“It will be a great pleasure to be back in Victoria, in Geelong, even if only virtually at this stage,” he says.

“Geelong has a secret spot in my heart because my late father served nearby in the coastal artillery before World War II.”

Sir Peter promises his new book explores fresh ground and mentions politicians, the royal family and offers a word or two on an Australian republic.

“I have been working on my book subconsciously since 2006 but formally since early 2020 – for me, one of the few compensating aspects of the coronavirus restrictions,” he says.

“My publishers encouraged me in this book to return to some of my earlier life experiences at home and at school and in the Army and I’ve been able to do that without repeating myself from my earlier book.

“Beyond that my time in corporate life after I retired from the Army was a story that I hadn’t written about earlier and, of course, my time as Governor-General was something I thought might be pretty interesting for future readers.”

The man regarded as one of Australia’s most popular public figures is an avid reader with a passion for historical fiction.

“Now that I am (mostly) retired, I average three to four books a week,” he says.

“When I was a lad, I read every book the late CS Forester wrote, more than once and his heroic, tragic figure Hornblower was my favourite,” he recalls fondly.

“Having read thousands of books since it would be onerous and unfair to pick a ‘very’ favourite thereafter – too many candidates.”

Sir Peter says his enjoyment of writing was instrumental in his decision to write a second book.

“Writing is the most marvellous combination of the spirit and the passion of your inner self reaching out to your reader, along with the discipline and rigour of doing so with coherence and organisation,” he says.

“The great glue, the bonding agent is our beautiful language – to be simultaneously cherished and exploited. What a challenge!”

On the topic of challenges, Sir Peter insists he is not surprised that events such as Word for Word are continuing despite the pandemic.

“For an old chap like myself, there have been countless opportunities over my long public life for me to observe my countrymen and women and to stand in awe and admiration of them,” he says.

“Bushfires, wars, floods, economic crises and now pandemics – all have drawn from our people the most admirable stoicism, selflessness and good humour.

“I haven’t been surprised but still overwhelmed, at how disciplined and cohesive they have been over this last year.

“It’s the same as schooling for our young Australians – it’s part of their birthright, not to be surrendered.”

Peter Cosgrove in Conversation will be livestreamed on Saturday, November 21 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost $10. For bookings or to view the full program, go to wordforwordfestival.com.au.