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.
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, Canberra
Over recent years the Goldrick Seminar series has brought together speakers from Defence, academia and industry to discuss topics of importance to Australia and the serving Chief of Navy.
As a trading nation, the Australian economy is highly dependent on the security of it’s sea lanes for exports and the import of the goods and information which supply our industries, provide consumer goods and secure our communications with the world. Challenges to the rules based order have potentially changed the security of the sea lanes with potential for significant economic impacts and Australia’s national security.
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.
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 was 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 will open in January 2025.
The 2024 ANI Annual Dinner and Vernon Parker Oration was sponsored by
