Major Events

The ANI runs a number of events of interest to the naval and maritime community.

The ANI’s two flagship events are:

  • the ANI Annual Dinner during which the McNeil Prize is awarded and the Vernon Parker Oration is delivered by an eminent Australian; and
  • the Goldrick Seminar in which an issue of particular interest of the Chief of Navy is explored.

ANI Vernon Parker Oration and Dinner
and
2024 McNeil Prize

15 May 2024

2024 Vernon Parker Orator

Professor Rory Medcalf AM

Head of National Security College,
Australian National University

 

Putting AUKUS in its place: Australia’s submerged Indo-Pacific strategy

The AUKUS arrangement, centered on nuclear-powered submarines, has come to dominate perceptions of Australian maritime power and strategy. AUKUS is a massive investment, combining strategic logic, political audacity and significant enterprise risk. However, it is about means not ends, and should not overshadow the larger question of Australian strategy. How do we protect and advance our comprehensive national interests in this maritime region we call home, the Indo-Pacific? In this oration, Rory Medcalf will offer a vision that puts AUKUS in context – and keeps sight of wider strategy and the other capabilities and partnerships it will require.

Professor Rory Medcalf AM is Head of the National Security College at the Australian National University. His career spans diplomacy, academia, intelligence analysis, journalism and think tanks, including with the Lowy Institute. Professor Medcalf was a senior strategic analyst with the Office of National Assessments, Australia’s peak intelligence agency, and a diplomat with service in India, Japan and Papua New Guinea. He has played a lead role in Australia’s informal diplomacy with India and a range of other countries. Professor Medcalf is recognised globally as a thought leader on the Indo-Pacific strategic concept, as articulated in his book Contest for the Indo-Pacific (published internationally as Indo-Pacific Empire).

The 2024 McNeil Prize will be presented during the evening to a recipient who has made an outstanding contribution to the operational capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.

2024 ANI McNeil Prize 

The McNeil Prize will be presented at the ANI Annual Dinner.

The McNeil Prize is awarded to ‘an individual or individuals from Australian industry who has made an outstanding contribution to the capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy’.

The winner of the 2024 McNeil Prize was Mr Craig Lockhart, Managing Director BAE Systems Australia – Maritime.

Nominations for the 2025 ANI McNeil Prize are now open January 2025.

NOMINATION FORM

 

 

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The 2024 ANI Annual Dinner and Vernon Parker Oration is sponsored by


2024 Goldrick Seminar

The Importance of the Maritime Domain for Australia’s Economic Wellbeing and National Security

 3 October 2024

Adams Auditorium Australian Defence Force Academy

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond has selected the theme for the 2024 Goldrick Seminar as The Importance of the Maritime Domain for Australia’s Economic Wellbeing and National Security. The one-day event will be held on 3 October at the Adams Auditorium at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

The ANI will stage the seminar in partnership with ADFA, the Naval Studies Group at the University of NSW (Canberra) and the Seapower Centre Australia.

Details of the program will be posted when confirmed.

Over recent years the Goldrick series have brought together speakers from Defence, academia and industry to discuss topics of importance to the serving Chief of Navy.

 

PROGRAM

BOOK

Event Details
Date: 3 October 2024
Time: 08:30 – 17:00
Venue: Adams Auditorium
Price: TBA
Bookings Open: 1 August 2024