Chief Petty Officer Anita van der Meer has seen Navy change considerably during her 37 years of service.

She joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Steward in 1989 and has spent 12 years serving at sea.

But an experience early in her career would have an impact far beyond her own service.

In 1992, Chief Petty Officer van der Meer faced dismissal over allegations she was in a same sex relationship. She challenged her treatment through the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

‘All I wanted to do was serve my country,’ she said.

Later that year, Australian Government policy changed to allow gay and lesbian members to serve openly.

Chief Petty Officer van der Meer continued her Navy career and witnessed attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ personnel change over the following decades.

‘Australians can now join Defence and be open to who they are and who they love,’ she said.

‘Defence knows that we’re all here to do one thing, and that’s to serve our country.’

In 2013, she joined the first Defence contingent permitted to march in uniform at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Gardi Gras. Marching in uniform for the first time remains one of the standout moments of her career.

In 2026, she marched with the Defence contingent for the final time before her retirement.

Chief Petty Officer van der Meer said the friendships she made remain her favourite part of Navy life.

‘We’re a big family in Navy and if something happens, we are there to support each other,’ she said.

She will retire from Navy in December 2026 and plans to return to her home state of Queensland. After 37 years, she hopes the next generation will continue supporting each other and championing inclusion.