Education
Hickling graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, in 1961.
Hickling graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, in 1961.
He undertook regimental postings with the Royal Australian Engineers, and saw service in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. Hickling was appointed Commander, Northern Command and received the Conspicuous Service Cross (Civil Service Commission) for service in that role in 1993. This was followed by a posting as General Officer Commanding Training Command from 1992 to 1994.
He then served as Land Commander Australia from 1996 until 1998.
In February 1998, he led Operation Belorussian Isi, a peace monitoring mission to Bougainville following a break in civil unrest in the country. Hickling was promoted lieutenant general and appointed Chief of the Army in 1998.
As Chief of the Army he deployed Australian troops to East Timor. In retirement he chaired the Review of the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) Scheme which reported in 2008.