Former governor-general, gentleman and 'great Australian' Michael Jeffery dies

Current Governor-General David Hurley issued a statement on Friday afternoon.

"Linda and I are saddened at the news of Michael Jeffery's passing," General Hurley said.

"On behalf of all Australians, our thoughts are with Marlena and the whole Jeffery family. As a nation, we give thanks for Michael's extraordinary lifetime of service.

"He was, by every measure, a great Australian."

Mr Jeffery died on Friday, less than a week after his 83^rd birthday on December 12.

He was Australia's 24^th governor-general, serving between August 2003 and September 2008.

Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nationals Michael McCormack said Australia could not have asked for a better soldier, a better statesman, or a better person to advocate for the rural sector.

"Major General Michael Jeffery was not only a great Australian and a respected military leader, but someone who knew the importance of regional Australia," he said.

"He was Australia's first National Soils Advocate, a position to promote the importance of soil health which underpins this country's agricultural industry.

"It was a role he was passionate about because he knew the value of the land and its integral connection to Australian agriculture.

"By championing soil health from Parliament House to the paddock, he successfully changed attitudes towards soil sustainability and energised change on farms right across Australia.

"We cannot thank him enough for his service to this country and we appreciate the attention he gave to agriculture, especially through his dedicated attention promoting better soils and sustainability."

His legacy will be perpetuated through a new award named in his honour, for which nominations are now open.

The General Jeffery Soil Health Award was announced at the recent inaugural Parliamentary Friends of Soil function, an honour which was very much appreciated by General Jeffery and his family.

"His name will live on not only for his significant contribution to Australia but also with this biennial award and the protection and preservation of one of our most precious resources - the very land beneath our feet," Mr McCormack said.

General Jeffery was National Soils Advocate from October 2012 to August 2020, when he stepped aside due to ill health.

Mr McCormack extended his condolences to General Jeffery's wife Marlena and family.

Mr Jeffery, supported by his wife Marlena, was prominent in his support of Canberrans in the wake of the 2003 bushfires. The couple more than made their mark on Canberra.

The Jefferys, regarded as a strong team, were in high spirits and close to tears when they were farewelled from Government House in September 2008, walking through a throng of school children, staff and other supporters.

During that farewell, a committee member of the Children's Medical Research Institute's Canberra committee, Elly Cox, described the Jefferys as the ''most natural, approachable people''.

General Hurley praised the service of Major-General Jeffery.

"After graduating from the Royal Military College in 1958, he served on operations in Malaya, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross. He held numerous commands, including of the Special Air Service Regiment, before retiring from the military in 1993," his statement read.

"His distinguished military career was just one chapter in his lifetime of service. He became governor of Western Australia in 1993 and, in 2003, Australia's 24th governor-general. After his term in office he became Australia's first National Advocate for Soil Health.

"Throughout his career - in its many iterations - he worked tirelessly, put others ahead of himself and brought immense intellect, work ethic and commitment to everything he did. Unfailingly polite, he was, quite simply, a gentleman.

"He was also a husband, father and grandfather. Our thoughts - as we give thanks and acknowledge a lifetime of service - are with his loved ones."