Steve Gower | |
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![]() Gower (at centre) with Warren Snowdon, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Gai Brodtmann and Senator Kate Lundy at an announcement of additional government funding for the AWM in 2011
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Director of the Australian War Memorial | |
In office March 1996 – December 2012 |
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Preceded by | Brendon Kelson |
Succeeded by | Brendan Nelson |
Personal details | |
Born |
Stephen Newman Gower 10 June 1940 Adelaide, South Australia |
Alma mater | University of Adelaide |
Military service | |
Allegiance |
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Service/branch | Australian Army |
Years of service | 1959–1996 |
Rank | Major General |
Commands |
Training Command (1995–96) 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (1978–80) |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Officer of the Order of Australia |
Major General Stephen Newman "Steve" Gower AO (born 10 June 1940) is a retired Australian Army officer and former director of the Australian War Memorial (AWM). During his time in the Army he saw combat as an artillery forward observer during the Vietnam War in 1966 and 1967. He is also the author of the books Guns of the Regiment (1981) and Options for an Australian Defence Technological Strategy (1982).
Gower was born on 10 June 1940 in Adelaide, South Australia, to Allan Martin and Agnes Fanny Gower. Educated at Unley High School and Prince Alfred College, he entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1959. On graduation in 1961, he received a commission as a lieutenant in the Royal Australian Artillery. Gower wed Heather Eunice on 3 July 1965; the couple have one daughter.