Previous Chiefs of Navy
The following list chronologically records those who have held the post of Chief of Navy. Note: List excludes some Royal Navy personnel appointed First Naval Member (now known as Chief of Navy Australia).
List of Previous Chiefs of Navy
(2018 - 2022)
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1984 and graduated in 1986 with a Diploma of Applied Science. He trained as a Seaman Officer and then subsequently...
(2011 - 2014)
Vice Admiral Ray Griggs
Ray Griggs was born in Homebush NSW in 1961. He joined the Adelaide Port Division of the Royal Australian Navy Reserve in 1978 as a radio operator and entered the Royal Australian Naval College at...
(2008 - 2011)
Vice Admiral Russell Harry Crane
Russell Harry 'Russ' Crane was born in Southport, Queensland on 11 June 1954 and began his naval career as a Junior Recruit at HMAS Leeuwin in 1970, training as an Electrical Mechanic in aircraft...
(2005 - 2008)
Vice Admiral Russell Edward Shalders
Russell Edward (Russ) Shalders joined the Royal Australian Naval College at Jervis Bay from Victoria in 1967. After sea training he undertook Operations and Weapons courses in the United Kingdom. On...
(2002 - 2005)
Vice Admiral Christopher Angus Ritchie
Christopher 'Chris' Angus Ritchie was born in East Melbourne, Victoria on 16 January 1949. Chris Ritchie graduated from the RAN College at Jervis Bay in 1968. He received further training at sea and...
(1999 - 2002)
Vice Admiral David John Shackleton
David Shackleton was born in Leeds, UK on 2 March 1948. He joined the RAN from Adelaide in March 1966 as a Supplementary List seaman officer, becoming the youngest Midshipman of SLEX 3/66. After...
(1997 - 1999)
Vice Admiral Donald Bruce Chalmers
Donald Bruce Chalmers was born in Young, NSW on 29 April 1942 and entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1958. He graduated from the college in December 1960 and proceeded to sea in...
(1994 - 1997)
Vice Admiral Rodney Graham Taylor
Rodney Graham Taylor was born at Toowoomba, Queensland on 11 June 1940 and joined the RAN as a 13-year old junior entry cadet midshipman in 1954. He undertook his initial training at the Royal...
(1991-1994)
Vice Admiral Ian Donald George MacDougall
Ian Donald George MacDougall was born in Sydney on 23 February 1938 and joined the Royal Australian Naval College as a 15-year old Cadet Midshipman in January 1954. He graduated the following year...
(1985-1991)
Admiral Michael Wyndham Hudson
Michael Wyndham Hudson was born in Taree in NSW on 10 March 1933 and grew up in Sydney. Hudson briefly attended North Sydney Boys High before joining the Royal Australian Naval College at Flinders...
