Chief of Navy’s History Conference

To Fight and Win at Sea:125 Years of Australian Naval History

In 1901, the Commonwealth Naval Force was formed, bringing together the separate colonial navies of Australia under one Commonwealth banner. The title ‘Royal Australian Navy’ was granted in 1911. In 2026, we examine these 125 years of Australia’s navy history.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Matthew Paul Buckley AM CSC RAN welcomes you to this special conference highlighting the four themes of his tenure as Chief of Navy — Purpose, People, Platforms and Partnerships.

Dates

19–20 November 2026
Thursday and Friday

Venue

Australian National Maritime Museum
Darling Harbour, Sydney

Times

08.00 for 08.45–17.00
Both days

Presented by

Sea Power Centre – Australia
Australian Naval Institute

With support from

Australian National Maritime Museum
UNSW Canberra

• ◆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

Rear Admiral Peter Jones RAN, retired
Naval Studies Group, UNSW

Dr Richard Dunley
UNSW Canberra

Commodore Peter Leavy RAN, retired
President, Australian Naval Institute and PhD candidate, ANU

Dr Miranda Booth
UNSW Canberra

Paul Grace
Author, Operation Hurricane

Further speakers to be confirmed. The full list of presenters appears in the program below.

Program