Lieutenant Commander Nic Zillman
Lieutenant Commander Nic Zillman was born in Nambour, South East Queensland in 1970. He spent his developing years in the rural sector of this area, completing his schooling as a boarder in Brisbane.
He joined the Royal Australian Navy as a MIDN in 1989 attending the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), located in Canberra. He graduated from both ADFA and the University of New South Wales in 1991 having attained a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English with sub-majors in Oceanography and Management.
After attending professional Seaman Officer training at HMAS Watson (Sydney) he served in HMA Ships Betano (LCH), Melbourne and Canberra (both ) before being awarded a Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate. He consolidated his skills in Canberra and as Commissioning Crew of Anzac (FFH).
Zillman served in the Fremantle class patrol boat, HMAS Whyalla as Executive Officer from 1997 to 1999. Tasking focused on civil law enforcement in Northern Australian and South West Pacific waters.
In late 1999 he assumed command of the Darwin based landing craft, HMAS Betano and was extensively tasked in support of peace enforcement and peacekeeping operations in East Timor. Whilst under his Command the ship was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation for contributions to this mission.
In mid 2001 he joined the staff of Commander Minor War Vessel Sea Training Group and was promoted to LCDR in 2002.
Early 2003, Zillman was appointed as Staff Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Damage Control (NBCD) Officer to Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) with the Royal Navy. Based in Plymouth, England the focus of this prestigious appointment was planning and executing exercises to enable ships to keep fighting once sustaining damage. He delivered this capability to ships of the Royal Navy and about 15 other navies. He was selected to lead the department in the later stages of his tenure.
On his return to Australia, in 2005, he took the appointment of Staff Officer Combat Survivability prior to assuming Command of the Darwin based Armidale Class Patrol Boat crew, in December 2006.
LCDR Zillman is a keen follower of rugby union and as opportunity allows is a avid traveller.
