Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2008/The WON Log
Warrant Officer of the Navy James Levay
Welcome to the Summer and Christmas 2008 edition of SeaTalk.
The last quarter of 2008 has indeed been busy both here on the Australian station and abroad. I remain inspired by the professionalism and dedication of all our members, and by the unwavering support provided by their families, our extended Navy family, in meeting the needs of our Navy.
In October it was my privilege to host the CDF’s Warrant Officers and Non-commissioned Officers forum which brought together more than 100 non-commissioned personnel from across the three Services.
It was held at the Australian Defence College in Weston Creek over the period October 9-10, and was officially opened by the CDF, ACM Houston. He addressed the forum on his leadership expectations in the ADF.
The forum focussed on ‘how can our leadership culture have a more positive impact on the retention of the right people’. Mr Rod Harrod, presented to the forum on engaged leadership and the challenges that we as leaders of our Defence Force must embrace.
A key tenant of the forum was the syndicate discussions that occurred over most of the two days. Our people delivered a number of excellent and well developed presentations, which will be tabled and submitted to the ADF’s senior leadership for review and, in due course, will be available online.
A highlight was the mess dinner which CDF, VCDF, CAF, RADM Robinson, and MAJGEN Slater attended. It allowed all participants to experience our Navy’s mess traditions, and to interact socially as well as with members of the ADF’s senior leadership.
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Our Navy recently had a visit from the Warrant Officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy Neil Roberts, Chief Petty Officer of the Canadian Navy Bob Cléroux, and Fleet Master Warrant Officer - Republic of Singapore Navy Wong Fook Lam.
Their visit included meeting the members of Fleet Headquarters, the Ship’s Warrant Officer Designate course 01/08, staff of the Sailors’ Leadership and Management Faculty, and the Warrant Officers’ and Chief Petty Officers’ mess of HMAS Kanimbla.
Overall their visit was a great success and executed with utmost professionalism. Thank you all concerned.
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In recent times I have met many students undertaking the Junior Sailors’ Leadership Management Course in the east and west, and with the staff of the DSCM FBW Career Management Cell. Discussions like these are important in my role and I thank you all for your frank discussions and viewpoints.
This Christmas, like others there will be a number of personnel who are either deployed in support of ADF operations in both Australia and overseas, or unable to take leave with their loved ones due to their commitment to sustaining an ADF capability over this period. To these people, on behalf of the sailor community, thank you - your efforts are greatly appreciated.
I wish each and every member of the extended Navy family a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year, and I thank you for your contribution over the past 12 months.
Seasons greetings!
James Levay
Warrant Officer of the Navy
E-mail: james.levay@defence.gov.au
Tel: 02 626 54905
