His father was a prominent businessman and philanthropist, while his mother was the daughter of Alfred Deakin, the second Prime Minister of Australia.
[7] During the Second World War, Brookes enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne and was allocated the service number VX112158.
Richard Casey — the Minister for External Affairs — agreed, and Brookes became the first Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service until 1957 when he departed public office to work in the private sector.
[3] He established the Pacific Institute, a discussion forum that brought together representatives from government, business and academia.
Brookes maintained and promoted links to Chile and was recognised with the Gran Official of Bernado O'Higgins, the highest award to a non-Chilean.