Western Australia's new Governor sworn in

18/8/00
Lieutenant General John Sanderson AC was today sworn in as the 29th Governor of Western Australia.
More than 350 invited guests witnessed the swearing-in ceremony in the Government House Ballroom.
The guest list included 80 Western Australians selected by ballot after more than 300 applicants responded to an invitation by Premier Richard Court to attend the ceremony.
Also attending were the principals and head students of Northcliffe District High School and Bunbury Senior High School where Lt Gen Sanderson attended as a boy.
The choir from Churchlands Senior High School sang at the swearing-in ceremony. They also sang at a similar ceremony for the 28th Governor, Major General Michael Jeffery, in 1993.
Following the signing of the Oaths of Allegiance and Office, a 19-gun salute was fired from Langley Park by the 7th Field Battery Royal Australian Artillery, marking the start of the new Governor's three-year term.
After the swearing-in ceremony the new Governor inspected a vice-regal guard of honour.
The Premier said Western Australians had great respect for the position of Governor and Lieutenant General Sanderson was a high calibre appointment to the post.
"The position of Governor is much more than a ceremonial role - it is one of leadership and community service," Mr Court said.
"General Sanderson has had a long and distinguished military career during which he has undertaken many challenging tasks."
Lieutenant General Sanderson, born in Geraldton, retired from the Australian Army on June 23, 1998, after 40 years service. He completed his service as Chief of the General Staff and Chief of the Army.
General Sanderson, 59, began his military career at the Royal Military College in Duntroon in 1958. Trained and educated as both a military and civil engineer, he spent his early military years in construction and training appointments with operational duties in both Borneo and South Vietnam.
In 1986 he was promoted to Brigadier and completed a major review of the Army Reserve before assuming command of the 1st Brigade in December 1986.
Promoted to Major General in 1989 he reviewed the arrangements for the development of defence policy and the oversight of the defence program.
In 1990 he was appointed the first Assistant Chief of Defence Force Development and conducted the first comprehensive force structure review of the total Australian Defence Force.
Lieutenant General Sanderson was seconded by the United Nations in November 1991 to plan the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. From February 1992 to October 1993 he headed the 16,000 UNTAC troops, gathered from 34 nations to oversee the country's first democratic elections.
He has received various accolades for his service, including the Order of Australia, an Officer of the Order and Companion of the Order of Australia for his service in Cambodia. His contribution to bilateral and regional relations has been honoured by the United States of America with the award of the Legion of Merit Commander Class.
Lieutenant General Sanderson and his wife Lorraine, who have been married for 38 years, have three children, Grant, Kelly and Rebekah and five grandchildren.-
Mrs Sanderson worked in Cambodia during her husband's United Nations posting and established an English typing school and a teaching and training program for Cambodian teachers. Many adult Cambodians injured by landmines were able to develop future employment opportunities through her work.
Media contact: Casey Cahill - 9222 9455