Graeme Roberts-Thompson

2020 Distinguished Past Student Award winner

Graeme has served the state, nation and Her Majesty the Queen with dedication and distinction. He was the Aide de Camp to the Governor of Queensland from 1972 to 1975.

The position of Aide de Camp for the Governor of Queensland required discretion, confidentially and the ability to work under pressure and in stressful situations. Graeme was responsible for the coordination and management of all facets of the Governor’s state and international program, including visits, functions and investitures.

Between 1979 and 2001, Graeme provided protocol services to six Queensland premiers. During that time, he coordinated all major visits to Queensland by VIPs from ambassador level to heads of state, including more than 400 he personally facilitated.

Graeme was responsible for three royal tours for which he was awarded a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) by the Queen in 1988.

More recently, he was appointed by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as the Airport Manager for the G20 Summit in 2018, responsible for the on-tarmac meeting and farewelling of heads of state and heads of government and all aspects of protocol related to these activities.

In 2002 he was awarded the Centenary Medal for Public Service.

In 1994, Graeme was promoted to Colonel and appointed Chief Instructor of the Command and Staff College and in 1997 he was appointed Director of Army Personnel Agency, a position he held until retiring in 2000.

He is the recipient of a Reserve Force Decoration, the National Medal, and the Defence Medal.