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 have now closed.
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
2025 ANI Goldrick Seminar
Action Stations: Australia’s Fighting Navy in 2030
2 October 2025
Hotel Realm, Barton ACT
The ANI hosts an annual one-day conference known as the Goldrick Seminar, in honour of the late Rear Admiral James Goldrick, AO, CSC. Admiral Goldrick was a globally renowned naval historian and strategist. He was also a former President and Life Member of the ANI.
The 2025 Goldrick Seminar will be held in Canberra on 2 October 2025 under the overarching theme Action Stations: Australia’s Fighting Navy in 2030.
This theme was selected in conjunction with the Chief of Navy and is one of Navy’s key areas for research. Much of the current focus is on AUKUS and the future Navy, but given the lead time for naval procurements, the Navy of 2030 will not be substantially different to that of today. This seminar aims to explore how Australia can best use the maritime capabilities expected to be in service in 2030 to support national objectives and interests.
The Call for Papers for the 2025 ANI Goldrick Seminar closed on 15 June 2025