Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2007/The Warrant Officer of the Navy
Welcome to the Winter edition of SeaTalk. As predicted it has been a busy start to 2007.
I look forward to seeing many of you as you go about your day to day business in our ships and establishments during visits that I have planned for the remainder of the year.
Firstly, I would like to congratulate Warrant Officers Simon Kelly and Peter Kenworthy on their appointments as Command Warrant Officers within Fleet and Navy Systems Command respectively.
In addition I congratulate WOs Van Eldik, Holzberger, Crocker, Woodsell and Munro on their selection as Ship’s Warrant Officers within Fleet Command.
Their selection recognises their outstanding commitment to Navy’s values and is a testament of their exemplary leadership and management experience.
To all applicants for these positions, you are fine warrant officers and presented extremely well, thank you.
It has been my privilege to have recently been able to visit a number of ships, establishments and workplaces. I thank the men and women of the Defence Signals Directorate, Defence Plaza Sydney, HMA Ships Cairns, Cerberus, Creswell, Kuttabul, Penguin, Toowoomba and Waterhen for their hospitality and candid discussions. I am heartened by the professionalism, loyalty and dedication of the sailors I have met. Your contribution is valued and has been taken forward.
I am also encouraged by the leadership of the senior sailors and warrant officers who have spoken with me.
Leadership is an all important attribute that underpins our core Navy values, and I look to all members to continue to adhere to our values.
Importantly, I appreciate the positive impact that you have personally, as a senior sailor or warrant officer, on the environment that our sailors work and live in.
I ask that you keep this influence foremost in your mind as you go about your day to day activities. A professional well motivated ship’s company doesn’t happen just as a result of a good command team. It takes extra effort from each individual member. Please take time to consider what extra you can do to contribute to your ship or unit today.
The Warrant Officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy, WO Neil Roberts, visited in April with the New Zealand Chief of Navy, RADM Ian Ledson.
WO Roberts’ visit continues to build on the very close and important link with our closest neighbour, and provided an opportunity to showcase the sailors of our Navy and their achievements and to discuss our individual navies’ many challenges.
WO Roberts visited Turkey for ANZAC Day. He was particularly impressed with our Navy’s people that worked hard to support the day, specifically the Federation Guard and our Navy band personnel. Well done to all personnel involved.
I know that our people are working extremely hard across the whole fleet. Rest assured that the Navy Senior Leadership Group appreciates your continued efforts and that they are working hard to address the many issues affecting both recruiting and retention. Unfortunately these changes take time – I ask that you remain patient and remain focused on the positive achievements that you contribute to daily as an integral part of our Navy. The key to our future Navy’s continued success is you.
Finally if you see me out and about, please take the opportunity to engage me.
James Levay Warrant Officer of the Navy E-mail: james.levay@defence.gov.au Tel: 02 626 54905
