Chief of Navy's History Conference
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Matthew Paul Buckley AM CSC RAN welcomes you to this special conference highlighting the four pillars of his command intent — Purpose, People, Platforms and Partners.
Dates
19–20 November 2026
Thursday and Friday
Venue
Australian National Maritime Museum
Darling Harbour, Sydney
Times
Day 1 7.45 am for 8.20 am – 5.00 pm
Day 2 8.00 am for 8.45 am – 5.00 pm
Presented by
Sea Power Centre – Australia
Australian Naval Institute
With support from
Australian National Maritime Museum
UNSW Canberra
Topics
- Shipbuilding and acquisition
- Innovations in navy history
- The social dimensions of sea power
- Case studies of the RAN in regional and global conflicts
- Navy heritage and material culture
- Maritime trade protection
Speakers
Keynote
Professor Craig Stockings
UNSW Canberra
Delivering the keynote address at 0845 on Day 2.
Dr Natali Pearson
University of Sydney
Dr Miranda Booth
UNSW Canberra
Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO DSC RAN, retired
Naval Studies Group, UNSW
Paul Grace
Author, Operation Hurricane
Dr Richard Dunley
UNSW Canberra
Further speakers to be confirmed. See the program below.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 0745–0820 | Registration |
| 0820–0821 | Introduction: Captain Bernard Dobson, RAN: Director, Sea Power Centre – Australia |
| 0821–0825 | Welcome: Ms Daryl Karp, AM: Director and CEO, Australian National Maritime Museum |
| Morning: PLATFORMS | |
| 0825–0945 | Session 1: Australia, the Royal Australian Navy and the Second World War Commander Darren Puttock, RAN; Dr Knox Peden; Dr Tom Lewis Session Chair: Dr Ross Mackie |
| 0945–1015 | Morning tea |
| 1015–1030 | Chief of Navy Address: Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley, AM, CSC, RAN |
| 1030–1200 | Session 2: Shipbuilding and fleet acquisition – the long run view Dr Richard Dunley; Captain Alastair Cooper, RAN; Dr Allan du Toit Session Chair: Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO, DSC, RAN (retired) |
| 1200–1300 | Session 3: Deployment of new technology and weapons in regional environments – an historical perspective Paul Grace; Lieutenant Colonel Clare O'Neil, CSC Session Chair: Commander Darren Puttock, RAN |
| 1300–1345 | Lunch |
| Afternoon: PEOPLE | |
| 1345–1515 | Session 4: The social dimensions of sea power Matilda Hatcher; Dr Ryan Gifford; Able Seaman Naffissa Mohamed Session Chair: Dr Knox Peden |
| 1515–1545 | Break |
| 1545–1700 | Session 5 (Panel): Telling Bathurst class corvette stories Professor Erik Eklund; Antoinette Holm; Andrew Monaghan Session Chair: Captain Alastair Cooper, RAN |
| 1700–1800 | Book launch: Just Another Day in the Delta, by Max Speedy The Hon Peter Tinley, AM: National President of the RSL; and Captain Bernard Dobson, RAN |
| 1900 | No-host social at the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel |
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 0800–0845 | Registration |
| Morning: PARTNERS | |
| 0845–0945 | Keynote address: Professor Craig Stockings: UNSW Canberra |
| 0945–1015 | Morning coffee |
| 1015–1130 | Session 6: Essential enablers Dr Neil Westphalen; Dr Paul Chamberlain; Dr Victor Rudenno Session Chair: Captain Lisa Batchler |
| 1130–1300 | Session 7: Navy, maritime trade and prosperity in the Empire and in our region Dr Alex Little; Dr Ross Mackie; Cooper Kingsley Session Chair: Commander Piers Chatterton |
| 1300–1345 | Lunch |
| Afternoon: PURPOSE | |
| 1345–1500 | Session 8: Underwater cultural heritage, diplomacy and statecraft Dr Natali Pearson; Commander Mick de Ruyter, PhD, RAN Session Chair: Sterling Cooper |
| 1500–1530 | Break |
| 1530–1540 | Announcement: Winner, John Jeremy Memorial Essay Competition David Michael: President, Naval Historical Society of Australia; Fleet Commander |
| 1540–1640 | Session 9 (Closing panel): Strategy, command, and the way ahead Vice Admiral Peter Jones, RAN (retired); Dr Miranda Booth Session Chair: Captain Bernard Dobson, RAN |
| 1640–1650 | Closing remarks: Fleet Commander |
Also at the conference
Conference registration