Major-General Fairweather graduated from the Queensland Agricultural College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Rural Technology).
Following this, he went on to complete a Graduate Diploma in Teaching at Kelvin Grove Teachers' College in 1975 that led to him beginning a career as an Agricultural Teacher for nine years before moving into a sales and marketing role in the Agricultural sector. Five of those nine years he worked in the area at Lockyer District High School in Gatton.
Major-General Fairweather then went on to gain senior management experience in the private and public sector, with a strong focus on export marketing, leadership and management in the Agriculture, Food, Technology and Defence markets.
All during this time he progressed through the ranks from Private soldier to Major General, and has commanded at all levels up to brigade. He remained with the Queensland Agricultural College Training Unit for 13 years.
He received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for work in reforming Reserve Officer Training and the Australian Army Cadets and a Reserve Forces Decoration (RFD) for 40 years of service as a Soldier and Officer.
