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
2025 McNeil Prize
7 May 2025
2025 Vernon Parker Orator
Admiral David Johnston AC RAN
Chief of Defence Force
Admiral David Johnston AC RAN Chief of the Defence Force
Admiral David Johnston was appointed Chief of the Defence Force on 10 July 2024.
He entered the Royal Australian Naval College as a junior entry Cadet Midshipman in 1978 graduating from the College in 1982, later specialising as a Principal Warfare Officer.
His operational naval tours include serving as Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01) and HMAS Newcastle (FFG 06).
His staff appointments include Command and Control specialist staff positions in Australian Defence Headquarters, Operations Manager at Sailors’ Career Management and later as Director Joint Plans in Strategic Operations Division, where he developed strategic military response options for consideration by Government.
On promotion to Commodore in July 2007, he joined Fleet Headquarters as Commodore Flotillas and in November 2008 he assumed the role of J3 (Director General Operations) at Headquarters Joint Operations Command. He deployed to Operation SLIPPER in the Middle East Area of Operations as the Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 in October 2010. He was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for this role.
Promoted to Rear Admiral he assumed the role of Deputy Chief Joint Operations Command in June 2011 and was appointed Commander Border Protection Command in December 2011 holding this responsibility until December 2013.
On promotion to Vice Admiral in April 2014, he was appointed Chief of Joint Operations in May 2014, and was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2018.
Admiral David Johnston holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from the USN Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Deakin University. He participated in the inaugural Australian Security Executive Development Program in 2009. In 2012 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (Military Division) and in 2018 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division). In 2022 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (Military Division). He is married and has two children.
2025 ANI McNeil Prize
The 2025 ANI 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.
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.
Event Details
Date: 7 May 2025
Time: 18:15 for 19:00 start
Venue: National Ballroom Hotel Realm, 18 National Circuit BARTON 2600 , ACT
Price:
ANI Members: $180
Non-members: $200
Oration & ANI Membership: $250
Table 10: $1800
Bookings Now Open
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 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 was held on 3 October at the Adams Auditorium at the Australian Defence Force Academy.