Defence Leaders: Reserves
Major General P.L. Brereton, AM, RFD
Head Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division
Paul Brereton was born on 27 August 1957 in North Sydney. He was educated at Knox Grammar School (where he was a Cadet Under Officer, Prefect, and Dux of the School in 1975) and the University of Sydney, from which he graduated Bachelor of Arts with Honours in 1980 and Bachelor of Laws in 1982. While a student, he was elected President of the Students Representative Council for two successive terms, and a student Fellow of the University Senate.
Major General Brereton enlisted in Sydney University Regiment as a private soldier in 1975. After promotion to Corporal and Sergeant he was commissioned in Sydney University Regiment (SUR), into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, in 1979. He served postings in SUR as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Regimental Signals Officer and Officer Commanding Headquarters Company, before attending Junior Reserve Command and Staff College. On graduation from that course in 1984 he was awarded the prize for Tactics and promoted Captain. He returned to SUR as Officer Commanding C (Officer Training) Company, then Officer Commanding B (Rifle) Company, and finally Operations Officer, before being posted to Headquarters 5th Brigade as Staff Officer Grade 3, Operations in 1989. After completing Intermediate Reserve Command and Staff College in 1990, he was promoted Major and posted to 2/17 RNSWR as Officer Commanding Support Company. In 1994, following attendance at Senior Reserve Command and Staff College and Intermediate Operations Course, he returned to SUR as Regimental Second-in-Command. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 31 December 1996, and assumed command of 4/3 RNSWR on 1 January 1997. After three years in command, he was posted as an instructor to Army Command and Staff College, Queenscliff in 2000, and then Australian Command and Staff College, Weston Creek, in 2001, where he conducted the first Reserve Operations Module at the new College.
In 2003, he was promoted Colonel and posted to the Office of Head Reserve Policy, where his responsibilities included Reserve input to the development of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. On 1 January 2005, he was posted to HQ 5th Brigade, as Chief of Staff, where his responsibilities included management of the Reserve Response Force, the Brigade response to the Military Justice Report, and the implementation of the Hardened Networked Army - Reserve. He was awarded a Land Commander's Commendation for his service as Chief of Staff, 5th Brigade. On 1 January 2007, he was promoted Brigadier and posted Assistant Chief of Staff, Land Headquarters, and on 1 January 2008 assumed command of 5th Brigade.
In June 2010, he was made a Member of the Military Division of the Order of Australia for his exceptional service to the Australian Army as the Chief of Staff Headquarters 5th Brigade, Assistant Chief of Staff, Land Headquarters and as Commander 5th Brigade.
Major General Brereton was promoted to Major General on 10 December 2010 and appointed Head Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division (HCRESD).
Major General Brereton was admitted as a solicitor in 1982, and was called to the New South Wales Bar in 1987. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 1998. He practised mainly in Sydney but also interstate, with a wide-ranging general practice, in trial and appellate advocacy. He appeared regularly in major cases in the Supreme Court of NSW and the NSW Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Australia and its Full Court, the Family Court of Australia and its Full Court, and the High Court of Australia. On 15 August 2005, he was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, where he is assigned to the Equity Division.
Major General Brereton has also served as an Officer of Cadets since 1977, mainly with the Knox Grammar School Cadet Unit.