Our Patron
Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd)
General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) has succeeded the late Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC as Honorary Patron of The Long Ride Home.
Like MAJGEN Jeffery, Sir Peter is a past Governor-General of Australia. He was Knighted on becoming G-G in 2014 and was further honoured as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty the Queen after his retirement in 2019.
Sir Peter is widely known for his earlier career in the Australian Defence Force – serving in Malaysia and Vietnam before coming to greater public prominence as Commander of INTERFET in East Timor, Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2002-2005 and head of the Task Force set up to help rebuild communities in Queensland after Cyclone Larry in 2006.
On his retirement Sir Peter went on to serve on several corporate boards before becoming Governor-General.
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On the road
Written by Kelly Brennan for Australian Skydiver Magazine
Tribute to Bill Crowe 89.7 FM Community Radio Station Perth
The Long Ride Home team wishes to pay tribute and thanks to Perth community radio announcer Bill Crowe especially for his donations in support of The Long Ride Home’s epic rides carried out by Laurie “ Truck” Sams in raising awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that affects our veterans and first responders.
Radio Station 89.7FM
Radio Station 89.7FM and Bill Crowe proudly celebrate 20 year of service to the community of Perth in November 2021.
18th August 2021
Commendation for Brave Conduct
On behalf of The Long Ride Home Team I take this opportunity to congratulate Laurie “Truck” Sams SC, OAM for receiving a Commendation for Brave Conduct announced by the Governor General of Australia His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC, DSC (Retd) today.
August 2021 – Bravery List | Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Truck received a Star of Courage in 2001 for protecting his parachute student when the main and reserve chutes failed to open on a tandem skydiving jump in 1995.
That incident cost him his left leg below the knee and a badly damaged right ankle.
Laurie went on to receive an Order of Australia medal from the then Governor General in 2019 for epic cycling rides such as the Hanoi to Sydney 10,000 km ride he had undertaken to raise awareness for veterans and first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
He himself suffers from PTSD from combat service with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment in South Vietnam in 1970/71.
Being Vietnam Memorial Day in Australia, today is a poignant day for his latest bravery award.
Laurie, or Truck to his many mates, continues cycling for victory over PTSD.
Congratulations Truck
From Bill Gray on behalf of
The Long Ride Home Team
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