CDF, Secretary, SEAC,
Army Elder – Auntie Lorraine
41st Chief of Army – LTGEN Simon Stuart and 12th Regimental Sergeant Major of Army – WO Kim Felmingham
My fellow Chiefs and Group Heads,
Incoming Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army – Warrant Officer Brad Doyle,
The very many Distinguished guests, former Chiefs, my amazing family and friends, and last but by no means least – Team Army.
Let me begin by saying how wonderful it is to be standing here this beautiful Canberra winters day on the land of the Ngunnawal people, and I pay my respects to their elders past and present.
I would also like to acknowledge any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders who are here today, and who have served our nation with distinction.
Today for me is about gratitude.
Almost four decades ago, then Private Dillon from 12/16 Hunter Rivers Lancers would have actually giggled at the thought of standing here today.
Even two years ago when taking up the privilege of becoming the Chief of Joint Capabilities on promotion to 3 Star, while I knew that I would have an invitation to attend today’s parade, I had no expectation that I would be the 42nd Chief!
Like those Chiefs and their amazing wives before me, I stand here with Mark, deeply humbled to be given this opportunity – the pinnacle for any volunteer to serve their nation, to be a steward of their profession.
And wonderful to be up here with the 13th Regimental Sergeant Major – WO Brad Doyle and his wife Liza. And we do so, with our family, our closest friends, our mentors and many colleagues present to witness this incredible honour.
Tomorrow we will farewell our CDF. Admiral Johnston – you have been an amazing leader and mentor for so many. Since we first worked directly together back in 2014 when I was that young Colonel in Afghanistan and you were Chief of Joint Operations, I remain indebted for your guidance and sound council. You will be missed, and we all wish you and Belinda the very best for your next chapter together.
To our incoming CDF – Mark, who from tomorrow I promise to call Admiral… Mark – our warmest congratulations to you and Jodi as well. A lifetime of service, I look forward to continuing to work together. I’m hoping for ‘fair winds and following seas’ with the Defence Leadership Team as we navigate the next chapter.
I also thank current and previous senior leaders and senior enlisted who to this day still offer their support and mentorship – many are here today.
A shout out to the amazing Joint Capabilities Group. It has been a crazy blur of the last 2 years – an incredible time where we’ve continued to evolve Space, Cyber, Defence Logistics and National Support for the ADF.
I could not be more proud of you and remain your biggest supporter in this next role, and will support Glen and the command team in every way I can.
Now to the 41st Chief of Army. I am privileged to follow in the footsteps of Lieutenant General Simon Stuart. I am grateful to have also served alongside as Chiefs, and observed his stewardship directly as one of his functional commanders as Army’s Forces Commander.
Together with RSM-Army, he has led an incredible transformation of our Army in his tenure. He has a phenomenal team – whom I am proud to inherit, a team of professionals focussed on ‘continual adaptation’.
I further extend my gratitude to Katy for her steadfast love and support, which has been integral to Simon’s achievements – as his have been to your own.
Our families are our centre of gravity – and so I also acknowledge Charlie and Evie. I am sure that you’re as proud of your Dad, as we are!
Simon – we sincerely thank you for four decades of impeccable service. You will be missed, and you leave an incredible legacy. Our Army is in an amazing position – thanks to your leadership, and those Chiefs before you. We stand on the shoulders of giants.
Now to Team Army. The incoming RSM-A and I have had some great discussions already, and we look forward to visiting units in the coming months, listening to our people, and meeting our allies and partners across our region.
As the next stewards, we have a clear purpose to ensure that our Soldiers continue to be ready to fight tonight, tomorrow and together as part of the integrated force, with our allies and partners. Allied by design across all five domains. In our region, we are neighbours by geography but we are friends by choice.
Together with the command teams throughout our Army we will continue to focus on what is important – our people and warfighting. The Australian Army stands ready to defend our nation – as a national institution, as a profession and as a fighting force. We will continue to make every experience an adventure, putting our people and their families first – knowing that by doing so, we will achieve or exceed our mission every day. Constantly reinforcing why being an Australian soldier, an Army in the community, and Army for our nation is incredibly special.
In closing, to my tremendous friends and colleagues- thank you for your support. Shout out to my best friends since December 1991 Pam and Donna, and my US Army War College buddy – TJ and his partner in crime – Karen for travelling all the way here. I am still hoping Chief of Air Force does a fly over soon for you all…
To my family – thank you. To my brothers Ron and Geoffrey, my Sister Alice and our families, thanks for being my support team ever since I was a skinny school cadet at Mudgee allegedly saluting with the wrong hand, and Alice was my Cadet Under Officer. I’ve followed Alice since, and she is the reason I joined back in 1987.
Our parents sadly have been passed for many decades now, but every time I used to go home to Manilla in country NSW to visit on leave, I would get asked at the local Bowling Club – am I a Sergeant yet? And I would say – not yet.
Now when I go home to Manilla, I will proudly say that I am honoured to be the 42nd Chief of an incredible Army. And if Mum and Dad want to call me Sergeant up there in heaven, I am ok with that too.
Finally, to my Mark and our children Jess, SQ and Jack, their partners, and my amazing in-laws Tony and Marie-Ann – thank you for your love, patience and support.
Again, thank you for joining us all today to recognise and farewell Simon and Katy, Kim and Jeff, and to acknowledge the start of yet another wonderful chapter in the Australian Army’s rich history. Brad and I can’t wait to come and visit our people and see the amazing work they are doing in our role as part of the integrated force.
Good soldiering.
