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Peter Hollingworth Dies at 91 After Resignation as Governor-General

Published 19 May 2026

Peter Hollingworth, Australia's 23rd governor-general and a former Anglican archbishop, has died in Melbourne at the age of 91. His death was confirmed by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Jeremy Greaves.

Dr. Hollingworth served as the Crown's highest representative in Australia from 2001 until his resignation in May 2003. His appointment followed a distinguished 40-year career in the clergy and social welfare, during which he became a prominent national advocate for the poor and disadvantaged.

Born in Adelaide in 1935, he was ordained as a priest in 1960. He joined the Brotherhood of St Laurence in 1964, spending 25 years with the anti-poverty organization and eventually serving as its executive director. His work earned him the title of Australian of the Year in 1991, along with appointments as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and an Officer of the Order of Australia.

In 1989, he was elected Archbishop of Brisbane, a position he held for 11 years. It was during this tenure that he was presented with allegations of child abuse against priests and teaching staff within the diocese.

Less than nine months after becoming governor-general in 2001, claims emerged that he had...

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