Lieutenant Commander Brett O'Connor

Born and raised in Temora, NSW, Lieutenant Commander Brett O’Connor completed a Bachelor of Education (Technology and Applied Studies) at Charles Sturt University in 2004, majoring in Agriculture. Lieutenant Commander O’Connor worked in the Agriculture industry and as a high school teacher prior to joining the RAN in 2007.

Upon joining the RAN, Lieutenant Commander O’Connor completed training in HMA Ships Kanimbla (II) (LPA), Shepparton (II) (SML), Melville (HS), Bathurst (II) (ACPB) and Maitland (ACPB). Lieutenant Commander O’Connor received his BWC and consolidated his training as an Officer of the Watch in HMAS Arunta (II) (FFH) in 2009/10.

In 2010, Lieutenant Commander O’Connor specialised as an MGO-H by completing an International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) accredited Category B Hydrographic Surveying course. He spent the following two years at sea with HS WHITE Crew in HMA Ships Leeuwin and Melville as both a Surveyor and Navigator. From 2011/12 Leeuwin and Melville deployed for Operation QUEENSLAND FLOOD ASSIST and regular deployments for Operation RESOLUTE. Lieutenant Commander O’Connor completed another two years at sea as the Executive Officer in HMAS Shepparton (II) for Hydrographic Surveys in the Torres Strait, Kimberley, Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea.

In 2015, Lieutenant Commander O’Connor posted to Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) J25 - Geospatial Support Cell (GSC) where he received a Bronze Level Commendation from the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations for work completed in the GSC.

Lieutenant Commander O’Connor completed the IHO accredited Category A course at HMS Drake (Plymouth, England) in 2017, where he graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Hydrographic Surveying. On completion, Lieutenant Commander O’Connor posted to HS RED Crew as the Senior Assistant Surveyor with duties as the Operations Officer, conducting surveys in Lae and Madang PNG.

In May 2018, Lieutenant Commander O’Connor was appointment as Officer in Charge DGST for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2018, RIMPAC 2018 and SEA1770 trials. In December 18 Lieutenant Commander O’Connor deployed to Antarctica in the RSV Aurora Australis, conducting surveys at Casey, Davis and Mawson Stations with the Australian Antarctic Division.

Lieutenant Commander O’Connor enjoyed short periods as the N3 at HMGRP in 2019, during which time Lieutenant Commander O’Connor was assessed by the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute as a Certified Professional Hydrographic Surveyor Level 2.

Lieutenant Commander Brett O'Connor assumed Command of HMAS Benalla (II) on 10 December 2019.