BrigadierJim FurnerAO, CBE, DSM | |
---|---|
Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service | |
In office 27 February 1984 – 24 November 1992 | |
Prime Minister | Bob Hawke Paul Keating |
Preceded by | John Ryan |
Succeeded by | Rex Stevenson |
Personal details | |
Born | (1927-11-25)25 November 1927 Warragul, Victoria |
Died | 17 September 2007(2007-09-17) (aged 79) Terrigal, New South Wales |
Nationality | Australian |
Spouse |
Lois Walker (m. 1952) |
Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch/service | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1952–1982 |
Rank | Brigadier |
Commands | Australian Army Intelligence Centre (1969–70) |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Officer of the Order of Australia Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Medal |
Brigadier James Osmond Furner, AO, CBE, DSM (25 November 1927 – 17 September 2007) was an Australian military intelligence officer, who was the longest serving Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) from 1984 to 1992.
Military career
After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Melbourne and working as a school teacher, Furner embarked on a career change and enlisted in the Australian Army, becoming one of the first cadets to be trained at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea. On completion of his training, Furner joined the Royal Australian Infantry Corps where he was posted overseas with the 1st Commonwealth Division in South Korea from 1955 to 1956.
In 1982, Furner joined the Joint Intelligence Organisation as deputy director, and retired from the army to take the civilian post of director a few months later.
Australian Secret Intelligence Service
In February 1984, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bill Hayden, asked Furner to take the role of Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service in an acting capacity. The appointment was made permanent in late July 1985 and Furner served in the role until November 1992.
References
- ^ Vale Brigadier James Osmond Furner, AO, CBE, DSM (Retd), Defender (Australian Defence Association).
- White, Hugh (30 July 1985). "New director-general for ASIS". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
Government offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded byJohn Ryan | Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service 1984–1992 |
Succeeded byRex Stevenson |
Preceded byArthur McMichael | Director of the Joint Intelligence Organisation 1982–1984 |
Succeeded byG. Marshall |
- 1927 births
- 2007 deaths
- Military personnel from Victoria (state)
- Australian brigadiers
- Australian Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Directors-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
- Graduates of the Officer Cadet School, Portsea
- Officers of the Order of Australia
- People from Warragul
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (Australia)
- University of Melbourne alumni