Commander Allison Norris

Commander Allison Norris, RAN (nee Horder) grew up in Maitland, NSW, joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1987 and graduated from ADFA with a Bachelor of Science in 1989. She then undertook Seaman Officer training in HMA Ships JERVIS BAY and TOBRUK achieving her Bridge Watchkeeping certificate in 1992. OOW consolidation was conducted in the FFG HMAS SYDNEY and she was promoted to Lieutenant in 1993. During this time SYDNEY was deployed to the Middle East in support of OPERATION DAMASK.

A short stint at RAAF WILLIAMTOWN completing Air Intercept Control training was followed by further sea service in HMAS CANBERRA. She successfully completed warfare training specialising in Above Water Warfare in 1996 and subsequently served in HMA Ships SYDNEY and ADELAIDE, which included service in support of operations in East Timor.

Promoted to LCDR in 2000, she took up a two year appointment with the USN at the Navy Combat Data Systems Centre in Dam Neck Virginia. On return to Australia LCDR Norris served as the Fleet Direction Officer for a short period. In 2002, she was appointed as Executive Officer HMAS MELBOURNE, which included a deployment to the Middle East in support of OPERATION CATALYST and SLIPPER.

In 2005, at the Australian Defence College, CMDR Norris achieved a Masters of Management (Defence Studies) and more recently, she completed the Masters of Maritime Studies through the University of Wollongong. CMDR Norris has completed duties as the Deputy Director Navy Establishments and Director Navy Workforce Planning and in 2007 she was appointed Staff Officer to the Chief of Navy.

CMDR Norris assumed Command of HMAS Melbourne between July 2008 and December 2009, a significant highlight in her career thus far.

Her interests include swimming, reading and cooking.