Head - Management & Strategic Studies Faculty HMAS Creswell
Lieutenant Commander J. Heather Walker, RAN
LCDR Walker was born 1972 in Sydney, Australia and entered the Royal Australian Navy in 2003 after eight years teaching in rural Australia, New Zealand and Sydney. LCDR Walker graduated from the New Entry Officer Course in 2003 with an award of the Governor General’s Cup from the Royal Australian Naval College. She proceeded on posting after her Training Systems Application Course to HMAS Cerberus in 2004.
Whilst posted to Cerberus as a Training Development Officer, LCDR Walker worked with the Engineering Faculty, Supply and Health Faculty and the ADF Physical Training School and assumed one of the two Project Manger positions during the redevelopment of the Training Systems Faculty in 2005. LCDR Walker was awarded the Chief of Navy’s Sword June 2005, for the 2004 non-seaman officer application courses duxes and the Huw Paffard Memorial Award for Junior Officers’ Leadership Course August 2005.
LCDR Walker was fortunate enough to be posted to HMAS Tobruk Jan 2006 – Jan 2008 where she assumed the position of Training Implementation Officer and obtained enormous experience of life at sea. LCDR Walker enjoyed great support from Sea Training Group and Ship’s Company during numerous workups and Mission Readiness Evaluations in preparation for OP CATALYST, OP SLIPPER, OP AZURE and OP ASTUTE. In 2007 Tobruk was awarded the Fleet Training Award, with the late RADM N. Coates, AM, RAN presenting to Tobruk in early 2008. On conclusion of this posting LCDR Walker received a Commanding Officer’s Commendation.
In 2008 LCDR Walker posted to Executive Officer Directorate Education and Learning Systems position in Canberra and received great insight into how Defence Support Group and People Strategy and Policy Group work with the greater Australian Defence Organisation. A highlight of this posting was being the ADF Higher Education Advanced Standing Scheme officer and helping current, past and Reserve ADF members achieve advanced standing or credit into university studies at 29 universities around Australia. Additionally LCDR Walker was one of the selected Training Systems Advisory Group (TSAG) members in 2008.
January 2010 she was promoted to LCDR and September 2010 saw LCDR Walker move from Canberra to stunning HMAS Creswell and take up the position Head – Management and Strategic Studies Faculty (H-MSSF) with responsibility for a broad scope of courses including: the Chief Petty Officer Promotion Course, Warrant Officer Promotion Course, Junior Officer Leadership Course, Lateral Entry Program, Warrant Officer Entry Leadership Program and the Junior Officer Management and Strategic Studies Course. LCDR Walker is thrilled and appreciative to have excellent staff instructing and supporting the courses at MSSF.
LCDR Walker is married with one son and three step children. She is keenly interested in keeping fit and has competed in a variety of sports at varying levels including horse riding, dragon boating, triathlon, water polo and cycling. To relax LCDR Walker enjoys kayaking, jogging, reading novels, music and theatre, and spending time with family and friends.
