26 October 2020
It’s rare to reach 45 years of service. It’s rarer still that a minister is part of the ceremony to mark the occasion.
In recognition of his service, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Curran was presented with his second Federation Star, the sixth clasp to his Defence Long Service Medal, on October 23.
Only 48 hours beforehand, Lieutenant Colonel Curran was informed that Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester would conduct the honours at Victoria Barracks in Sydney.
Lieutenant Colonel Curran said it was a pleasant surprise.
“We chatted about our shared passion for running marathons after the presentation. It was a highlight to receive the Defence Long Service Medal from him,” he said.
Lieutenant Colonel Curran had previously been the recipient of the Defence Force Service Medal, which was replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal in 1999.
In 1971, as a 19-year-old he entered the Royal Military College at Duntroon and graduated as a lieutenant in the Armoured Corps and experienced a varied career.
“1 Armoured Regiment, 2 Cavalry Regiment, staff appointments with HQ Forces Command and operations in the Middle East in 2007 would be my highlight postings,” Lieutenant Colonel Curran said.
“My whole working career has been with the Army and I wouldn’t change any of it. Working with and for a fabulous group of people has been my inspiration for continuing to serve.
With his next milestone of 50 years of service coming up at the start of next year, Lieutenant Colonel Curran feels it is time to look at retirement.
“I think my wife will tell me it’s time to retire and look at doing some of the things we have been putting off,” he said.
