List of ambassadors of Australia to Russia

{{Infobox official post

| post = Ambassador of Australia to the Russian Federation

| body =

| insignia = Coat of Arms of Australia.svg

| insigniasize = 120px

| department = Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

| reports_to = Minister for Foreign Affairs

| image = Ambassador of Australia to the Russian Federation John Gearing.jpg

| alt =

| incumbent = John Geering

| incumbentsince = {{start date|2023|11|14|df=y}}

| residence =

| nominator = Prime Minister of Australia

| nominatorpost =

| style = His Excellency

| appointer = Governor-General of Australia

| termlength =

| formation = 2 January 1943

| inaugural = Bill Slater

| website = [http://www.russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/home.html Australian Embassy, Russian Federation]

}}

File:Podkolokolny 10 02.jpg

The ambassador of Australia to the Russian Federation is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Russian Federation. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and holds non-resident accreditation for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Armenia and Belarus. The current ambassador since November 2023 is John Geering.

Posting history

Australia's first diplomatic presence in Russia was established in 1942. This occurred on 13 October 1942 with the conclusion of negotiations between Foreign Ministers Herbert Evatt and Vyacheslav Molotov. The Australian legation opened in January 1943 (the first Minister, Bill Slater was appointed in October 1942) in the temporary Russian capital of Kuybyshev and the Soviet embassy in Canberra also opened in March 1943.

By the war's end the legation moved to Moscow and on 16 February 1948 was upgraded to an embassy. In February 1950 the ambassador Alan Watt was recalled by the Australian government and was not replaced.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145625467 |title=NO AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW. |newspaper= Daily Advertiser |location=Wagga Wagga, NSW |date=8 March 1952 |access-date=12 May 2015 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} In April 1954 with the scandal of the Petrov Affair the embassy in Moscow was closed, but later reopened in 1959. Between 1964 and 1966, the ambassador in Moscow held accreditation as Ambassador to Sweden. Between June 1972 and September 1973, the ambassador in Moscow was accredited to Warsaw.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110754082|title=Ambassador from Poland due next week|newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=27 October 1973|page=9}} With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991, Australia acted to recognise the new states of the Commonwealth of Independent States on 26 December 1991. As a result, the embassy's accreditation was transferred to the Russian Federation, while non-resident accreditation to many of the new former Soviet republics was acquired. Non-resident accreditation with Ukraine was consequently included from 10 January 1992, but was transferred to the new embassy established in Kyiv in February 2015 following the Euromaidan protests across Ukraine.{{cite web|title=Political relations between Ukraine and Australia|url=http://australia.mfa.gov.ua/en/ukraine-au/diplomacy|website=Embassy of Ukraine in Australia|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine|access-date=11 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219045234/http://australia.mfa.gov.ua/en/ukraine-au/diplomacy|archive-date=19 December 2012|url-status=dead}} From 12 June 1973 to 29 May 1991, accreditation to Mongolia was also held by the embassy in Moscow until it was transferred to the Embassy in Beijing. Accreditation for Azerbaijan (since 1991) and Georgia (since 1992) was transferred to the Embassy in Ankara, Turkey in 2011. Accreditation for Moldova was transferred to the embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2019.

The Australian Government established an embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 1995 and appointed its first resident ambassador, Douglas Townsend.{{cite press release|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1995/m43.html |title=Diplomatic appointment: Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan|date=May 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212032610/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1995/m43.html|archive-date=12 February 2014|publisher=Australian Government|author-link=Gareth Evans (politician)|first=Gareth|last=Evans}} The Australian Government announced plans to close its embassy in Kazakhstan in August 1999.{{cite press release|first=Alexander|last=Downer|author-link=Alexander Downer|publisher=Australian Government|title=Changes in Australia's Overseas Representation|date=7 August 1999|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa089_99.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212024053/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa089_99.html|archive-date=12 February 2014}} According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the closure was due to resource constraints.{{citation|url=http://dfat.gov.au/geo/kazakhstan/Pages/kazakhstan-country-brief.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814053351/http://dfat.gov.au/geo/kazakhstan/Pages/kazakhstan-country-brief.aspx|archive-date=14 August 2015|title=Kazakhstan country brief|author=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|publisher=Australian Government}}

Officeholders

=Heads of mission=

class='wikitable sortable' ! Ordinal !! Officeholder !! Title !! Other offices !! Term start date !! Term end date !! Time in office !! Notes
align=center\| {{nts\|1}} \| {{sortname\|Bill\|Slater\|Bill Slater (politician)\|Slater, Bill}} \| rowspan=2 \| Minister to the Soviet Union \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1942\|10\|12\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1943\|06	df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1942\|10\|12\|1943\|06\|01}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17806072 \|title=EXCHANGING ENVOYS WITH SOVIET. \|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald \|date=13 October 1942 \|access-date=23 August 2015 \|page=5 \|via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11331152 \|title=MR SLATER BACK FROM RUSSIA. \|newspaper=The Argus \|location=Melbourne \|date=18 June 1943 \|access-date=23 August 2015 \|page=3 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|2}} \| {{sortname\|James\|Maloney\|Jim Maloney (politician)\|Maloney, James}} \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1943\|11\|5\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1946\|08\|12\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|1943\|11\|05\|1946\|08\|12}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17863384 \|title=NEW MINISTER TO RUSSIA. \|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald\|date=6 November 1943 \|access-date=23 August 2015 \|page=8 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| (n/a) \| {{sortname\|Noël\|Deschamps}} \| Chargé d'affaires \| style="background: #cccccc;" \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1946\|08\|12\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1947\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years\|1946\|1947}} years \|
rowspan=2 align=center\| {{nts\|3}} \| rowspan=2 \| {{sortname\|Alan\|Watt\|Alan Watt (diplomat)\|Watt, Alan}} \| Minister to the Soviet Union \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1947\|06\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1948\|02\|16\|df=y}} \| rowspan=2 align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1947\|06\|01\|1950\|02\|11}} \| rowspan=2 \|
Ambassador to the Soviet Union \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1948\|02\|16\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1950\|02\|10\|df=y}}
align=center\| (n/a) \| {{sortname\|Frederick\|Blakeney}} \| rowspan=3 \| Chargé d'affaires \| style="background: #cccccc;" \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1950\|02\|10\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1951\|09\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1950\|02\|10\|1951\|09\|01}} \|
align=center\| (n/a) \| {{sortname\|John\|McMillan\|John McMillan (diplomat)\|McMillan, John}} \| style="background: #cccccc;" \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1951\|09\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1953\|10\|14\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1951\|09\|01\|1953\|10\|14}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48992567 \|title=New Australian Envoy Calls On Mr. Gromyko. \|newspaper=The West Australian \|location=Perth \|date=1 October 1951 \|access-date=12 May 2015 \|page=2 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| (n/a) \| {{sortname\|Brian\|Hill\|Brian Hill (diplomat)\|Hill, Brian}} \| style="background: #cccccc;" \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1953\|10\|14\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1954\|02\|24\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|1953\|10\|14\|1954\|02\|24}} \| {{cite news\|last1=AAP\|title=Returning from Russia\|agency=The Sydney Morning Herald\|date=16 October 1953\|page=2}}
colspan=8 style="background: #cccccc;" \|Embassy closed
align=center\| (n/a) \| {{sortname\|Bill\|Cutts}} \| Chargé d'affaires \| style="background: #cccccc;" \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1959\|07\|22\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1960\|07\|28\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|1959\|07\|22\|1960\|07\|28}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103125855 \|title=DIPLOMATS ARRIVE IN MOSCOW. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=23 July 1959 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=2 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|4}} \| {{sortname\|Keith\|Waller}} \| rowspan=11 \| Ambassador to the Soviet Union \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1960\|07\|28\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1962\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years\|1960\|1962}} years \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137119842 \|title=News In Brief. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=29 July 1960 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=3 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|5}} \| {{sortname\|Stewart Wolfe\|Jamieson}} \| {{ref\|A\|A}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1962\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1965\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years\|1962\|1965}} years \|
align=center\| {{nts\|6}} \| {{sortname\|John\|Rowland\|John Rowland (diplomat)\|Rowland, John}} \| {{ref\|A\|A}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1965\|02\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1968\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years\|1965\|1968}} years \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105828260 \|title=Envoy leaves for Moscow. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=10 February 1965 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=18 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|7}} \| {{sortname\|Frederick\|Blakeney}} \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1968\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1972\|06\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years\|1968\|1972}} years	{{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120893714 \|title=Obituary: FREDERICK JOSEPH BLAKENEY. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=21 June 1990 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=7 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|8}} \| Lawrence John Lawrey \| {{ref\|B\|B}}{{ref\|D\|D}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1972\|06\|12\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1974\|04	df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1972\|06\|12\|1974\|04\|01}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110690336 \|title=Our man in Moscow returns. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=26 November 1971 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=7 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|9}} \| {{sortname\|James\|Plimsoll}} \| {{ref\|D\|D}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1974\|04\|23\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1977\|08\|04\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|1974\|04\|23\|1977\|08\|04}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110773423 \|title=Ambassador. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=17 April 1974 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=5 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|10}} \| {{sortname\|Murray\|Bourchier\|Murray Bourchier (diplomat)\|Bourchier, Murray}} \| {{ref\|D\|D}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1977\|08\|04\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1980\|08\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1977\|08\|04\|1980\|08\|01}} \|
align=center\| {{nts\|11}} \| David Wyke Evans \| {{ref\|D\|D}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1981\|03\|01\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1984\|03\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1981\|03\|01\|1984\|03\|01}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125646861 \|title=USSR welcomes new ambassador. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=14 January 1981 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=3 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
align=center\| {{nts\|12}} \| {{sortname\|Ted\|Pocock}} \| {{ref\|D\|D}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1984\|03\|21\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1987\|09\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1984\|03\|21\|1987\|09\|01}} \|
align=center\| {{nts\|13}} \| Robin Ashwin \| {{ref\|D\|D}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1987\|09\|28\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1991\|05	df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1987\|09\|28\|1991\|05\|01}} \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132155009 \|title=Hayden names 7 envoys. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=25 August 1987 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=3 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
rowspan=2 align=center\| {{nts\|14}} \| rowspan=2 \| Cavan Hogue \| \| align=center\| {{start date\|1991\|05\|29\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1991\|12\|26\|df=y}} \| rowspan=2 align=right \| {{age in years and months\|1991\|05\|29\|1994\|11\|01}} \| rowspan=2 \| {{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122358709 \|title=IN BRIEF. \|newspaper=The Canberra Times\|date=23 April 1991 \|access-date=19 May 2015 \|page=10 \|via=National Library of Australia}}
rowspan="10" \| Ambassador to the Russian Federation \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|E\|E}}{{ref\|F\|F}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1991\|12\|26\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1994\|11	df=y}}
align=center\| {{nts\|15}} \| Geoffrey Bentley \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|E\|E}}{{ref\|F\|F}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1994\|11\|02\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|1998\|12\|19\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|1994\|11\|02\|1998\|12\|19}} \|
align=center\| {{nts\|16}} \| {{sortname\|Ruth\|Pearce\|Ruth Pearce (diplomat)}} \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|E\|E}}{{ref\|F\|F}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|1998\|11\|18\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|2002\|01\|29\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|1998\|11\|18\|2002\|01\|29}} \| {{citation\|url=https://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/corporate/annual-reports/annual-report-1999-2000/5/app19.html\|publisher=Australian Government\|author=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade\|date=2000\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815041314/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/corporate/annual-reports/annual-report-1999-2000/5/app19.html\|archive-date=15 August 2015\|title=Annual Report 1999–2000: Appendix 19. Overseas accreditations and responsibilities}}
align=center\| {{nts\|17}} \| Leslie Rowe \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|E\|E}}{{ref\|F\|F}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|2002\|12\|18\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|2005\|02\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|2002\|12\|18\|2005\|02\|01}} \| {{cite press release\|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa183_01.html\|publisher=Australian Government\|first=Alexander\|last=Downer\|author-link=Alexander Downer\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212021805/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa183_01.html\|archive-date=12 February 2014\|title=Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to Russia\|date=18 December 2001}}
align=center\| {{nts\|18}} \| {{sortname\|Bob\|Tyson}} \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|E\|E}}{{ref\|F\|F}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|2005\|02\|28\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|2008\|06\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|2005\|02\|28\|2008\|06\|01}} \| {{cite press release\|title=Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to Russia\|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa015_05.html\|publisher=Australian Government\|first=Alexander\|last=Downer\|author-link=Alexander Downer\|date=28 January 2005\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084438/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa015_05.html\|archive-date=18 May 2015}}
align=center\| {{nts\|19}} \| {{sortname\|Margaret\|Twomey}} \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|E\|E}}{{ref\|F\|F}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|2008\|06\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|2013\|10\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|2008\|06\|01\|2013\|10\|01}} \| {{cite press release\|title=Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to Russia\|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2008/fa-s062_08.html\|first=Stephen\|last=Smith\|author-link=Stephen Smith (Australian politician)\|publisher=Australian Government\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406121802/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2008/fa-s062_08.html\|archive-date=6 April 2015\|date=30 April 2008}}
align=center\| {{nts\|20}} \| Paul Myler \| {{ref\|C\|C}}{{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| alig=center\| {{start date\|2013\|10\|24\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|2015\|12	df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|2013\|10\|24\|2015\|12\|01}} \| {{cite press release\|title=Media Release: Ambassador to Russia\|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/bc_mr_121101.html\|publisher=Australian Government\|first=Bob\|last=Carr\|author-link=Bob Carr\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403033833/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/bc_mr_121101.html\|archive-date=3 April 2015\|date=1 November 2012}}
align=center\| {{nts\|21}} \| Peter Tesch \| {{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|2016\|01\|df=y}} \| align=center\| {{end date\|2019\|04\|df=y}} \| align=right \| {{age in years and months\|2016\|01\|01\|2019\|04\|01}} \| {{cite press release\|title=Ambassador to Russia\|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_151116.aspx?w=tb1CaGpkPX%2FlS0K%2Bg9ZKEg%3D%3D\|publisher=Australian Government\|first=Julie\|last=Bishop\|date=16 November 2015}}
align=center\| {{nts\|22}} \| Graeme Meehan \| {{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\| {{start date\|2020\|02\|05	df=y}} \| align=center\| 14 November 2023 \| align=right \| {{age in years and days\|2020\|02\|05\|2023\|11\|14}} \| {{Cite web\|url=https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/ambassador-russia\|title=Ambassador to Russia\|last=Payne\|first=Marise\|date=28 June 2019\|website=Australian Government}}{{cite web \|url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62732 \|title=Presentation of foreign ambassadors' letters of credence \|work=Events \|publisher=President of Russia \|date=5 February 2020 \|access-date=14 December 2022 \|language=English }}
align=center\|23 \|John Geering \| {{ref\|G\|G}}{{ref\|H\|H}}{{ref\|I\|I}}{{ref\|J\|J}}{{ref\|K\|K}}{{ref\|L\|L}}{{ref\|M\|M}} \| align=center\|{{start date\|2023\|11\|14	df=y}} \| align=center\|incumbent \|{{age in years and days\|2023\|11\|14}} \|{{Cite web \|last=Trade \|first=corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and \|title=Australian Embassy in \|url=https://russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/our_people.html \|access-date=2024-03-02 \|website=russia.embassy.gov.au}}

class='wikitable sortable'

! Ordinal !! Officeholder !! Title !! Other offices !! Term start date !! Term end date !! Time in office !! Notes

align=center| {{nts|1}}

| {{sortname|Bill|Slater|Bill Slater (politician)|Slater, Bill}}

| rowspan=2 | Minister to the Soviet Union

| align=center| {{start date|1942|10|12|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1943|06

df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1942|10|12|1943|06|01}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17806072 |title=EXCHANGING ENVOYS WITH SOVIET. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=13 October 1942 |access-date=23 August 2015 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11331152 |title=MR SLATER BACK FROM RUSSIA. |newspaper=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=18 June 1943 |access-date=23 August 2015 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|2}}

| {{sortname|James|Maloney|Jim Maloney (politician)|Maloney, James}}

| align=center| {{start date|1943|11|5|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1946|08|12|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1943|11|05|1946|08|12}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17863384 |title=NEW MINISTER TO RUSSIA. |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=6 November 1943 |access-date=23 August 2015 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| (n/a)

| {{sortname|Noël|Deschamps}}

| Chargé d'affaires

| style="background: #cccccc;" |

| align=center| {{start date|1946|08|12|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1947|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years|1946|1947}} years

rowspan=2 align=center| {{nts|3}}

| rowspan=2 | {{sortname|Alan|Watt|Alan Watt (diplomat)|Watt, Alan}}

| Minister to the Soviet Union

| align=center| {{start date|1947|06|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1948|02|16|df=y}}

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and months|1947|06|01|1950|02|11}}

| rowspan=2 |

Ambassador to the Soviet Union

| align=center| {{start date|1948|02|16|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1950|02|10|df=y}}

align=center| (n/a)

| {{sortname|Frederick|Blakeney}}

| rowspan=3 | Chargé d'affaires

| style="background: #cccccc;" |

| align=center| {{start date|1950|02|10|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1951|09|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1950|02|10|1951|09|01}}

align=center| (n/a)

| {{sortname|John|McMillan|John McMillan (diplomat)|McMillan, John}}

| style="background: #cccccc;" |

| align=center| {{start date|1951|09|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1953|10|14|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1951|09|01|1953|10|14}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48992567 |title=New Australian Envoy Calls On Mr. Gromyko. |newspaper=The West Australian |location=Perth |date=1 October 1951 |access-date=12 May 2015 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| (n/a)

| {{sortname|Brian|Hill|Brian Hill (diplomat)|Hill, Brian}}

| style="background: #cccccc;" |

| align=center| {{start date|1953|10|14|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1954|02|24|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1953|10|14|1954|02|24}}

| {{cite news|last1=AAP|title=Returning from Russia|agency=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 October 1953|page=2}}

colspan=8 style="background: #cccccc;" |Embassy closed

align=center| (n/a)

| {{sortname|Bill|Cutts}}

| Chargé d'affaires

| style="background: #cccccc;" |

| align=center| {{start date|1959|07|22|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1960|07|28|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1959|07|22|1960|07|28}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103125855 |title=DIPLOMATS ARRIVE IN MOSCOW. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=23 July 1959 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|4}}

| {{sortname|Keith|Waller}}

| rowspan=11 | Ambassador to the Soviet Union

| align=center| {{start date|1960|07|28|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1962|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years|1960|1962}} years

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137119842 |title=News In Brief. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=29 July 1960 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|5}}

| {{sortname|Stewart Wolfe|Jamieson}}

| {{ref|A|A}}

| align=center| {{start date|1962|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1965|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years|1962|1965}} years

align=center| {{nts|6}}

| {{sortname|John|Rowland|John Rowland (diplomat)|Rowland, John}}

| {{ref|A|A}}

| align=center| {{start date|1965|02|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1968|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years|1965|1968}} years

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105828260 |title=Envoy leaves for Moscow. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=10 February 1965 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|7}}

| {{sortname|Frederick|Blakeney}}

| align=center| {{start date|1968|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1972|06|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years|1968|1972}} years

{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120893714 |title=Obituary: FREDERICK JOSEPH BLAKENEY. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=21 June 1990 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|8}}

| Lawrence John Lawrey

| {{ref|B|B}}{{ref|D|D}}

| align=center| {{start date|1972|06|12|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1974|04

df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1972|06|12|1974|04|01}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110690336 |title=Our man in Moscow returns. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=26 November 1971 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|9}}

| {{sortname|James|Plimsoll}}

| {{ref|D|D}}

| align=center| {{start date|1974|04|23|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1977|08|04|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1974|04|23|1977|08|04}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110773423 |title=Ambassador. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=17 April 1974 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|10}}

| {{sortname|Murray|Bourchier|Murray Bourchier (diplomat)|Bourchier, Murray}}

| {{ref|D|D}}

| align=center| {{start date|1977|08|04|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1980|08|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1977|08|04|1980|08|01}}

align=center| {{nts|11}}

| David Wyke Evans

| {{ref|D|D}}

| align=center| {{start date|1981|03|01|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1984|03|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1981|03|01|1984|03|01}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125646861 |title=USSR welcomes new ambassador. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=14 January 1981 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

align=center| {{nts|12}}

| {{sortname|Ted|Pocock}}

| {{ref|D|D}}

| align=center| {{start date|1984|03|21|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1987|09|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1984|03|21|1987|09|01}}

align=center| {{nts|13}}

| Robin Ashwin

| {{ref|D|D}}

| align=center| {{start date|1987|09|28|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1991|05

df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1987|09|28|1991|05|01}}

| {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132155009 |title=Hayden names 7 envoys. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=25 August 1987 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

rowspan=2 align=center| {{nts|14}}

| rowspan=2 | Cavan Hogue

| align=center| {{start date|1991|05|29|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1991|12|26|df=y}}

| rowspan=2 align=right | {{age in years and months|1991|05|29|1994|11|01}}

| rowspan=2 | {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122358709 |title=IN BRIEF. |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=23 April 1991 |access-date=19 May 2015 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}

rowspan="10" | Ambassador to the Russian Federation

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|E|E}}{{ref|F|F}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|1991|12|26|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1994|11

df=y}}

align=center| {{nts|15}}

| Geoffrey Bentley

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|E|E}}{{ref|F|F}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|1994|11|02|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1998|12|19|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1994|11|02|1998|12|19}}

align=center| {{nts|16}}

| {{sortname|Ruth|Pearce|Ruth Pearce (diplomat)}}

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|E|E}}{{ref|F|F}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|1998|11|18|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|2002|01|29|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and days|1998|11|18|2002|01|29}}

| {{citation|url=https://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/corporate/annual-reports/annual-report-1999-2000/5/app19.html|publisher=Australian Government|author=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|date=2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815041314/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/corporate/annual-reports/annual-report-1999-2000/5/app19.html|archive-date=15 August 2015|title=Annual Report 1999–2000: Appendix 19. Overseas accreditations and responsibilities}}

align=center| {{nts|17}}

| Leslie Rowe

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|E|E}}{{ref|F|F}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|2002|12|18|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|2005|02|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|2002|12|18|2005|02|01}}

| {{cite press release|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa183_01.html|publisher=Australian Government|first=Alexander|last=Downer|author-link=Alexander Downer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212021805/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa183_01.html|archive-date=12 February 2014|title=Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to Russia|date=18 December 2001}}

align=center| {{nts|18}}

| {{sortname|Bob|Tyson}}

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|E|E}}{{ref|F|F}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|2005|02|28|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|2008|06|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|2005|02|28|2008|06|01}}

| {{cite press release|title=Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to Russia|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa015_05.html|publisher=Australian Government|first=Alexander|last=Downer|author-link=Alexander Downer|date=28 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518084438/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa015_05.html|archive-date=18 May 2015}}

align=center| {{nts|19}}

| {{sortname|Margaret|Twomey}}

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|E|E}}{{ref|F|F}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|2008|06|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|2013|10|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|2008|06|01|2013|10|01}}

| {{cite press release|title=Diplomatic Appointment – Ambassador to Russia|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2008/fa-s062_08.html|first=Stephen|last=Smith|author-link=Stephen Smith (Australian politician)|publisher=Australian Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406121802/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2008/fa-s062_08.html|archive-date=6 April 2015|date=30 April 2008}}

align=center| {{nts|20}}

| Paul Myler

| {{ref|C|C}}{{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| alig=center| {{start date|2013|10|24|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|2015|12

df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|2013|10|24|2015|12|01}}

| {{cite press release|title=Media Release: Ambassador to Russia|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/bc_mr_121101.html|publisher=Australian Government|first=Bob|last=Carr|author-link=Bob Carr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403033833/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2012/bc_mr_121101.html|archive-date=3 April 2015|date=1 November 2012}}

align=center| {{nts|21}}

| Peter Tesch

| {{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|2016|01|df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|2019|04|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|2016|01|01|2019|04|01}}

| {{cite press release|title=Ambassador to Russia|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_151116.aspx?w=tb1CaGpkPX%2FlS0K%2Bg9ZKEg%3D%3D|publisher=Australian Government|first=Julie|last=Bishop|date=16 November 2015}}

align=center| {{nts|22}}

| Graeme Meehan

| {{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center| {{start date|2020|02|05

df=y}}

| align=center| 14 November 2023

| align=right | {{age in years and days|2020|02|05|2023|11|14}}

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/ambassador-russia|title=Ambassador to Russia|last=Payne|first=Marise|date=28 June 2019|website=Australian Government}}{{cite web |url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/62732 |title=Presentation of foreign ambassadors' letters of credence |work=Events |publisher=President of Russia |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=14 December 2022 |language=English }}

align=center|23

|John Geering

| {{ref|G|G}}{{ref|H|H}}{{ref|I|I}}{{ref|J|J}}{{ref|K|K}}{{ref|L|L}}{{ref|M|M}}

| align=center|{{start date|2023|11|14

df=y}}

| align=center|incumbent

|{{age in years and days|2023|11|14}}

|{{Cite web |last=Trade |first=corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and |title=Australian Embassy in |url=https://russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/our_people.html |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=russia.embassy.gov.au}}

==Notes==

:{{note|A|A}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to Sweden, between 1964 and 1966.

:{{note|B|B}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to Poland, between June 1972 and September 1973.

:{{note|C|C}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to Ukraine, between 10 January 1992 and February 2015.

:{{note|D|D}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to Mongolia, between 12 June 1973 to 29 May 1991.

:{{note|E|E}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Azerbaijan between 26 December 1991 and 2011.

:{{note|F|F}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to Georgia, between 1992 and 2011.

:{{note|G|G}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Uzbekistan, since 26 December 1991.

:{{note|H|H}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Kazakhstan, between 26 December 1991 and June 1995, and since 1999.

:{{note|I|I}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Kyrgyz Republic, since 26 December 1991.

:{{note|J|J}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to Turkmenistan, since 26 December 1991.

:{{note|K|K}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Tajikistan, since 26 December 1991.

:{{note|L|L}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Armenia, since 26 December 1991.

:{{note|M|M}}: Also served as non-resident Ambassador of Australia to the Republic of Belarus, since 26 December 1991.

=Ambassadors to Kazakhstan=

class='wikitable sortable'

! Ordinal !! Officeholder !! Term start date !! Term end date !! Time in office !! Notes

align=center| {{nts|1}}

| Douglas Townsend

| align=center| {{start date|1995|06

df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1997|11

df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years and months|1995|06|01|1997|11|01}}

align=center| {{nts|2}}

| Peter Tesch

| align=center| {{start date|1997|11

df=y}}

| align=center| {{end date|1999

|df=y}}

| align=right | {{age in years|1997|1999}} years

| {{cite press release|url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1997/fa127_97.html|first=Alexander|last=Downer|author-link=Alexander Downer|publisher=Australian Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212031000/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1997/fa127_97.html|archive-date=12 February 2014|title=Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan|date=15 October 1997}}

References

External links

[http://www.russia.embassy.gov.au/mscw/home.html Australian Embassy, Russian Federation]

Category:Australia–Russia relations

Russia

Australia

List of ambassadors of Australia to Russia

Posting history

Officeholders

=Heads of mission=

==Notes==

=Ambassadors to Kazakhstan=

See also

References

External links