Penelope Wensley

Infobox_Governor
honorific-prefix = Her Excellency

name = Penelope Anne Wensley

honorific-suffix =AO


order=25^th
office = Governor of Queensland
term_start = 29 July 2008
term_end =
lieutenant =
monarch = Queen Elizabeth II
premier= Anna Bligh
succeeding =
predecessor = Quentin Bryce AC
successor =
birth_date = birth date and age|1946|10|18|df=y
birth_place = Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
death_date =
death_place =
spouse = Stuart McCosker
residence = Government House, Brisbane
alma_mater = University of Queensland
occupation = Diplomat, Governor

Penelope ("Penny") Anne Wensley AO (born 18 October 1946) [ [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/1999/19990914.bio3250.doc.html Penny Wensley of Australia Elected Chairman of Fifth Committee] , United Nations, 14 September 1999.] is the Governor of Queensland [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/29/2318081.htm Wensley sworn in] ] and a former Australian diplomat.

Born in Toowomba, she was educated at the University of Queensland where she graduated with a first class honours degree in English and French literature. She joined the Australian Foreign Service in 1967. Wensley was posted to Paris (1969–1972), returned to work in Australia, and then given a posting in Mexico (1975–1977). Accompanied by her husband, Stuart McCosker, a veterinary surgeon, Penny Wensley gave birth to a daughter while posted in Mexico.Bhagat, Rasheeda: [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2004/10/29/stories/2004102900080400.htm India — a roller coaster] , "The Hindu Business Line", 29 October 2004.]

Her next diplomatic appointment was in Wellington, New Zealand (1982–1985). She was consul general in Hong Kong from 1986-1988. From 1991 to 1992, she was head of the International Organisations Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 1994, Wensley was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by the University of Queensland. Wensley was Ambassador for Environment from 1992 to 1996. She then became the first woman to be Australian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York in 1997" [http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1997/fa89_97.html Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York] ." Archived media release, Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 8 August 1997.] .

In 2001, Penny Wensley was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the development of Australia's international relations, particularly through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. [ [http://itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=885373&search_type=quick&showInd=true WENSLEY, Penelope Anne] , "It's an Honour" (Australian honours database), 26 January 2001.] She was then appointed as the first female Australian High Commissioner to India, a role she held until 2004. From 2005 to 2008, she was Australia's Ambassador to France, and non-resident Ambassador to Algeria, Mauritania and Morocco. [ [http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/pari/speecheshom.html Speeches by HE Penelope Wensley AO, Australian Ambassador to France, March 2005 - March 2008] , Australian Embassy in France.]

On 6 July 2008, the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved Penny Wensley's appointment as the next Governor of Queensland, in succession to Quentin Bryce who was relinquishing the office prior to being sworn in as Governor-General of Australia. Wensley was sworn in on 29 July 2008. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23977338-12377,00.html Penelope Wensley new Queensland governor] , "The Australian", 6 July 2008.]

External Links

* [http://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/ Government House, Queensland, official website]

References

Persondata
NAME = Wensley, Penelope Anne
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Wensley, Penny
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian diplomat, Governor of Queensland
DATE OF BIRTH = 18 October 1946
PLACE OF BIRTH = Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =