Chief of Navy – CONTACT magazine

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defense Minister for Japan Koizumi Shinjiro hold a press conference on board JS Kumano after signing the Mogami Memorandum. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Andrew Murphy. Photo by Leading Seaman James McDougall.

Contracts for future frigates signed

22/04/202626/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 645 Views 1 Comment Chief of Navy, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Minister for Defence

On Saturday April 18, Australia and Japan took a significant step in deepening their strategic defence partnership, by finalising contracts

Finalists in the Royal Australian Navy's 2026 Sailor of the Year, including winner Leading Seaman Jesse Nicholson (third from right), at the Australian War Memorial. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photos by Kris Kerehona.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Navy’s 2026 Sailor of the Year recognised

01/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 448 Views 0 Comments AWM, Chief of Navy, Sailor of the Year

In a ceremony at HMAS Kuttabul on March 6, Leading Seaman Jesse Nicholson was announced as the Royal Australian Navy’s 2026 Sailor

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A long life of remarkable service

04/02/202604/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 904 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Garden Island, HMAS Kuttabul

On January 22 2026, a memorial service was held at the Garden Island Naval Chapel to honour the life of

Ceremonial Sunset and official reception mark 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus, Victoria. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photos by Leading Seaman Sittichai Sakonpoonpol.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Recruit School – 100 years of shaping Navy’s future

19/12/202519/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1295 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, HMAS Cerberus

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond hosted an official reception and Ceremonial Sunset on December 11 to honour 100

Author and former broadcaster Mike Carlton speaks to the audience at Indo Pacific 2025. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

History News Royal Australian Navy

Mike Carlton honoured at Indo Pacific 2025

14/11/202514/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1009 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Indo Pacific

An author, historian and journalist known for his stories of the people behind some of Navy’s most notable missions has

Defence spouses from about 30 countries gather for an Indo Pacific 2025 cultural immersion program at HMAS Watson. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

ADF People

Defence spouses connect across cultures

11/11/202511/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 998 Views 1 Comment Aussie Hero Quilts, Chief of Navy, HMAS Watson

At Indo Pacific 2025, one of the most impactful moments came not from the main stage, but from a roundtable

HMAS Ballarat's boarding party approaches Royal Brunei Navy ship KDB Darulaman during a maritime exercise off the coast of Brunei Darussalam during Exercise Penguin. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Australia and Brunei strengthen defence ties

23/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4202 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Exercise Penguin, HMAS Ballarat, Royal Brunei Navy

For the first time since 2018, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Brunei Navy have completed Exercise Penguin, a

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond accepts a cheque on behalf of Keeping Watch, for $100,000 from Navy Health at Russell Offices, Canberra Story by Lieutenant Commander Naomi Deignan.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Donation supports Navy families

01/05/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2129 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Keeping Watch Fund

In an ongoing show of support, Navy Health recently donated $100,000 to Navy’s own charity, Keeping Watch. CAPTION: Chief of

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla with, from left, Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, on board the Admiral Hudson. Story. y Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Lucinda Allanson.

News Royal Australian Navy Videos

All eyes on Royal review

29/10/202402/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 5052 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Governor-General of Australia, King Charles III

Thousands of spectators lined the harbour around Garden Island, cheering and waving as the monarch sailed past. Those manning the

Admiral Victor Smith, seated, as air operations officer on board HMS Tracker operating in the Atlantic and Arctic in 1943. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photos courtesy Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

A legacy to remember

18/09/202418/09/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2683 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Fleet Air Arm, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Melbourne II, HMAS Sydney III, WWII

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper ‘VAT’ Smith led the first mass torpedo strike against a major warship at sea, survived

A picture of Vice Admiral (retd) Ian Warren Knox during his funeral service at the Garden Island Chapel, HMAS Kuttabul, NSW. Story by Midshipman Jonathan Rendell. Photos by Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Leaving behind a legacy

13/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2575 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Garden Island

Bestowing military honours on a Navy veteran who has died is among the most sacred of duties, and the funeral

Members from Australia’s Federation Guard prepare for a ceremonial sunset during the Sea Power Conference closing ceremony in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Commander Ben Willee. Photo by Able Seaman Lucinda Allanson.

News Royal Australian Navy

Navy happy with Indo-Pacific Expo 2023

16/11/202316/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2434 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Navy, Sea Power Conference

Naval and maritime experts from the across the globe gathered in Sydney from November 7 to 9 for the Indo-Pacific

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond and his wife Jodi Hammond with NCIS actor Todd Lasance, and NCIS: Sydney actors, at the show's Sydney launch. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Able Seaman Lucinda Allanson.

News Royal Australian Navy

Royal Australian Navy’s key role in new TV series

16/11/202317/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3165 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy

Navy people, ships and aircraft added authenticity and action to NCIS: Sydney, the first international edition of the highly successful

News Royal Australian Navy

Shared connection to sea and country

10/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2323 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Indigenous, Sea Power Conference

The close connection Navy has with the Saltwater people of Blue Mud Bay was honoured when artist and Madarrpa clan

HMAS Harman ship's company exercise their freedom of entry to the City of Queanbeyan as part of their 80th anniversary celebrations. Story b y Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. All photos by Petty Offier Jake Badior.

ADF People

Harman celebrates 80 years

14/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3496 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Freedom of Entry, HMAS Harman

Drawn swords and beating drums kicked off HMAS Harman’s week-long 80th anniversary celebrations, as personnel proudly paraded in a freedom

The Navy Indigenous Performance Group performs at the Chief of Navy reception for the 2013 International Fleet Review held at Sydney Opera House. Story by Lieutenant Commander Michael Henry. Photo by Able Seaman Dove Smithett.

News Royal Australian Navy

A decade of the Bungaree performers

22/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 3026 Views 1 Comment Chief of Navy, Indigenous, International Fleet Review (IFR)

In October 2013, as international audiences gathered to celebrate the Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review (IFR), Aboriginal and Torres

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond speaks at the 11th Biennial Submarine Institute of Australia Conference hosted in in Canberra. Photo by Nic Douglass.

News Royal Australian Navy

Leaders discuss future of nuclear-powered subs

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 4168 Views 0 Comments AUKUS, Chief of Navy, Minister for Defence, Nuclear Powered Submarines

Opportunities and challenges involved in Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines were discussed at the 11th biennial Submarine Institute of Australia

From left, former Warrant Officer of the Navy Deb Butterworth and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond are presented with a donation to Keeping Watch from Director Navy Health Commodore Michael Miko and CEO of Navy Health Mr Ron Wilson. Photo by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

News Royal Australian Navy

Helping to keep watch over those in need

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2823 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Keeping Watch Fund

Navy Health has donated $72,500 to the Keeping Watch Fund. CAPTION: From left, former Warrant Officer of the Navy Deb

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond takes a selfie with members of New Entry Officers Course 67. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Leading Seaman RyanTascas.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Officers course with an international flavour

23/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3130 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Gap Year program, HMAS Creswell, New Entry Officers’ Course

The New Entry Officers Course 67 (NEOC 67) attracted seven international students from the navies of the Philippines, Papua New

Warrant Officer of the Navy Deb Butterworth, centre, receives her promotion to commander from the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, right, accompanied by her partner Tracy. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Petty Officer Bradley Darvill.

ADF People

A tenure of passion and commitment

21/12/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2416 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, HMAS Newcastle, HMAS Success, Warrant Officer - Navy

Warrant Officer of the Navy (WO-N) Deb Butterworth has formally handed over to Warrant Officer Andrew Bertoncin during a ceremony

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