Desert pattern camouflage hat worn by CMDR Peter Collins AM, RFD, QC

Date2007

Object number00045529

NameHat

MediumCotton, polyester

DimensionsOverall: 135 x 240 mm

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Peter Collins AM, RFD, QC

Terms

DescriptionCMDR Peter Collins AM, RFD, QC has held many positions in politics as well as leadership within the Australian Defence Force. He was deployed to Iraq from 24 July to 18 October 2007 as Team Leader of the Australian Contribution to Law and Order Task Force working to assist with the restoration and enhancement of the Iraqi legal services. This Disruptive Pattern Camouflage uniform dates from this service. Commander Collins has also held numerous positions within the Army Reserve, served on Inquiry boards, including the Sea King Board of Inquiry 2005-2006 and was appointed Director Naval Reserve Support NSW 2007. HistoryPeter Collins was born on 10th May 1947 to Ronald and Mavis Collins in Lismore, New South Wales. He was educated at Marist Brothers, Kogarah, St Patrick's Bathurst and Waverley College where he then completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney between 1965 and 1972. Politically, Mr Peter Collins was a NSW Barrister-at-law before election to the NSW Parliament in 1981. He was appointed Attorney General in the Greiner Government in 1991 and Queen's Council in the same year. Collins held six different portfolios over the seven years of 1988 to 1995 finishing as Treasurer of NSW. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 1995 to December 1998 and retired from Parliament at the 2003 NSW Election. Mr Collins served in the Army Reserve between 1964 and 1969 in which he finished as a Commando officer. He has served in the Navy Reserve since 1975 including 13 years as a naval intelligence officer. He was promoted to Commander in 1994 and was awarded the Reserve Forces Decoration. Collins' naval service was interrupted by becoming Honorary Colonel, 1st Commando Regiment from 1995 to 2000 after which he resumed naval service in 2001 as a member of the Sydney Legal Panel of the RAN Reserve. Peter Collins served twice as Acting Fleet Legal Officer in Fleet Headquarters in Sydney in 2003 and 2004. He conducted administrative Inquiries in 2005-2006 where he was legal liaison for the Sea King helicopter Board Inquiry 2005-2006. Appointed Director of the Naval Reserve Support NSW in 2007, he was deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations from 24 July to 18 October 2007 as Team Leader of the Australian Contribution to Law and Order Task Force which was established by General David Petraeus in 2007 within the Rule of Law Complex at Rusafa, Baghdad. This complex was in embedded in the Law and Order Task Force which was operated and administered by US military in conjunction with the US Justice Department. The basic mission was to assist with the restoration and enhancement of Iraqi legal services. Peter Collins has received numerous honours for his contribution in different aspects of his life, including Member of the Order of Australia (AM) 2004, Centenary Medal 2003 and also awarded the Reserve Force Decoration (RFD) 1994. Peter Collins is currently a member of Workers Compensation Commission and Director (non-executive) of Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation which he has held since 2001.SignificanceThis hat is representative of Australian Desert Camouflage Uniforms used by Australian military personnel during operations in Iraq in 2007. It demonstrates army issued camouflage clothing for land and jungle surroundings.