Semi-retired now, I joined the RAN at 16 and retired at age 55 in 2006 having many sea postings in all sorts of warships and in senior command and administration postings ashore. Sea commands included my favourite job in the navy’s sail training ship STS YOUNG ENDEAVOUR during which time I sailed her around on her world voyage to join tall ships races in the 1992 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage of discovery.
Shore command included the Navy’s largest training establishment HMAS CERBERUS, site of all recruit training and the majority of specialist training for sailors and some army and air force.

Since retirement, I’ve sailed the barquentine STS LEEUWIN II as a relief master on the west coast. She takes 40 trainees on week long voyages of character development.