The Australian Naval Institute held its annual dinner at the Hotel Realm in Canberra on 20 June. The guest of honour was Acting Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley and the event sponsor was Serco Australia. Attending the dinner, in addition to ANI members, were serving members from Defence and representatives from the diplomatic corps, academia, defence industry, the public service and think tanks.
In his welcome to guests ANI President Vice Admiral Peter Jones said that much has occurred in the naval and security realm since last year’s dinner. The ANI has tried to play its part in providing a forum for the discussion of naval and maritime issues. Since last year’s dinner the ANI has posted well over 300 articles in its newsletter and on our website. The ANI has also introduced, the Saltwater Strategist podcast series which is sponsored by BAE Systems with Adroita for also supporting an episode. The tenth and latest episode was released to coincide with the dinner with its topic – Our future maritime challenges.
The winner of the 2023 McNeil Prize, awarded to an individual from industry who has made an outstanding contribution to the capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy was Mr Brad Flemming from Raytheon Australia. He is the Program Manager responsible for Combat System Integration of the Hobart Class destroyers. The McNeil Prize was presented to Brad Flemming by Rear Admiral Earley in the presence of members of the McNeil family. The ANI President later said “Brad Flemming’s exceptional leadership, outstanding professional expertise and drive have tangibly improved the availability and lethality of the Hobart class destroyers. He is a most worthy recipient of the 2023 McNeil Prize.” More details of Brad Flemming’s contribution to the RAN is at https://navalinstitute.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023-McNeil-Prize-Media-Release-Brad-Flemming.pdf
The 2023 Vernon Parker Oration was delivered by Her Excellency The Honourable Dame Annette King, the New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia, is entitled: “New Zealand and Australia – closest friends, myth or reality?” Her very engaging and thought-provoking oration will be published later this year in the Australian Naval Review. As a new initiative the Oration will also be shortly be released as a Saltwater Strategist podcast, sponsored by Serco Australia.
