The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC) is holding the fourth and final seminar in the Firepower: Lesson from World War II Seminar Series, at the ADFA Auditorium on Wed 14 Oct from 1700h.
Context. The 2026 Firepower Seminar Series is convened by the RAAHC as a volunteer not-for-profit co, and aims to raise awareness of the importance of timely preparation for, and contemplation of the potential prospects of a future major conflict involving Australia.
Format. Each of the four seminars present two historical academic papers on key stages in Australia’s wartime experience, followed by a moderated panel on the consequent learning opportunities for today.
The seminar is followed by a networking event with a keynote address.
Completed Seminars
- The ‘Road to War’ – Melbourne (Thu 19 Mar 26)
- The Defence of the Australian Continent – Brisbane (Thu 21 May 26)
- Campaign Theatre Adaptation (applying global experience in Australia’s region) – Adelaide (Thu 06 Aug 26)
Final Seminar
- Joint Fires in the Littoral (applying modern lethal effects in Australia’s approaches) – Canberra (Wed 14 Oct 26)
Event Details:
- Location: Adams Auditorium, Campbell, ACT (on the ADFA Campus)
- Day/date: Wednesday, 14th October 2026
- Timings: Seminar, 5-7pm; pause and refreshments, 7-7.30pm; and Keynote speech; 7.30-8.45pm.
- Cost: $25 (plus about a $2 admin fee online)
- Content:
o Presentation 1. Strategic Context – Vice Admiral Peter Jones, AO, DSC, RAN Ret’d:
- Case Study: The Apogee of Amphibious operations’: a theatre comparison for contemporary Australian littoral joint fire and manoeuvre
o Presentation 2. Campaign Application – Dr Dayton McCarthy, CSC:
- The Operation Oboe landings: Operationally outstanding; or overtaken by events?
o Panel discussion: Prof Peter Dean | Dr Malcolm Davis | Jennifer Parker:
- What lessons for today’s military and political decision-makers can be drawn from Australia’s preparation for and conduct of the Borneo campaign?
- What Australian experiences then are not applicable for Australia today?
- What strategic policy and/or military capability decisions might be considered to best prepare Australia’s firepower today, for employment tomorrow?
o Keynote Speeches, with refreshments:
- Prof David Kilcullen will be our keynote speaker – How might Australia’s political, industrial and civic leadership prepare national military capability, and steward the Australian societal will to employ it in the forceful defence of Australia’s military strategic interests – then and now?
- Plus: Special Guest: Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko – On ‘galvanising’ a nation for war.
- Key Links:
o Seminar website: Firepower: Lessons from WWII Seminar Series
o Eventbrite page for tickets: RAAHC’s Firepower: Lessons from WWII – Event Four: Canberra Tickets, Wednesday, October 14 • 5 PM – 9 PM | Eventbrite
o LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-7508435662371618816-iWQp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAA-24KMB3VKHRS5cseR8H6M9kZkKr0OmeFs
