The Naval Historical Society will present The Culture at Sea & Ashore of the RAN since 1974. Zoom Presentation: 11am. Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Desmond Woods will address the dramatic and far-reaching changes that have occurred in the culture at sea and ashore of the RAN since he joined in 1974.
This colourful and fully illustrated address will consider the impact on Navy culture of the changes in expectations of leadership, the impact of the first WRANS and the later integration of women into the fleet. He will also discuss the end of the culture of heavy drinking, the change away from the steam driven ships, and the assertion of Australian naval traditions and the ongoing change to a more egalitarian and diverse workforce.
