Smart move opens post for navy Sharkey

Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey, Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force, has been appointed to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) replacing Air Vice-Marshal Tracy Smart.

CAPTION: Newly appointed Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey salutes during a parade at Campbell Park Offices, Canberra. Photo by Jay Cronan.

Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester congratulated Rear Admiral Sharkey on her appointment, noting her extensive skills and experience in the military and health sector were integral to supporting and honouring our nation’s current and former ADF community.

“Rear Admiral Sharkey has an extensive career in Defence, beginning her service under sponsorship while an undergraduate medical student at the University of Queensland and has enjoyed postings at sea and ashore,” Mr Chester said.

“With her clinical background primarily in submarine and diving medicine, Rear Admiral Sharkey has more recently served at the director-general level in Joint Health Command, and as head of the Navy Health Community.

“I congratulate Rear Admiral Sharkey on her appointment and wish her well in her new role.

“I have no doubt she will be an asset to the MRCC.”

Holding Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery, Masters in Business Administration, and a Masters in Politics and Policy, Rear Admiral Sharkey is also a Fellow of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.

In 2014, Rear Admiral Sharkey was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement as the Director of Clinical Governance and Projects and ADF Health Services Project Transition Lead.

Mr Chester thanked outgoing MRCC member Air Vice-Marshal Smart on her service to the commission over the past three years, and for her more than 30 years’ service in the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Air Vice-Marshal Smart has had a long and distinguished career in the ADF and I thank her for her service and wish her all the best for the future as she transitions back into civilian life,” Mr Chester said.

Information about the MRCC, including membership can be found here.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The link above to the MRCC information page was found for readers by CONTACT. The minister’s press release unhelpfully only offered a link to the DVA home page – where the MRCC is not listed. CONTACT found it after several clicks on search results. As it turns out, the MRCC page we found by this method isn’t even on the DVA web site!

Also, news of this appointment was sent to media on 17 December 2019, but the appointment commenced on 12 December, according to the MRCC web page.

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