Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Australian Army soldier Corporal Hamish Smith at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

Solemn duty to remember and connect

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 690 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australian War Memorial, Last Post

Corporal Hamish Smith never imagined he would one day stand at the pinnacle of solemn remembrance on such an important

Private Luke Morrison, of Australia's Federation Guard, will join the catafalque party at Gallipoli. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Service in homage to great-grandfather’s memory

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 425 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

Days before departing for Gallipoli to take part in Anzac Day commemorations, Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) member Private Luke Morrison

Leading Seaman Benjamin Woodlock, of Australia's Federation Guard, at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025, when he will command the catafalque party at the Gallipoli dawn service. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honoured and humbled to serve

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 355 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

‘Woody’, to his mates is a Larrikin, but on April 25 he will be stepping into a very important role,

Families prepare to welcome HMAS Hobart back to Fleet Base East in Sydney after three months on deployment. Photo by Able Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy

Hobart home after busy three-month deployment

23/04/202526/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1458 Views 1 Comment Fleet Base East, HMAS Hobart

HMAS Hobart has returned to its home port of Sydney following a busy three-month deployment. CAPTION: Families prepare to welcome HMAS Hobart back

Leading Seaman Christine Merrilees with her son, Leading Seaman Shannon Leak, and her father, Chief Petty Officer Stewart Merrilees. Story by Lieutenant Hinako Shiraishi.

ADF People History

Three generations share Navy heritage

23/04/202523/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 168 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

As HMAS Sydney sails through the Indo-Pacific region this Anzac Day, one sailor on board has a deeply personal connection

Air Force's Corporal Kevin Jeffries, of Australia's Federation Guard, reflects at the statue of Simpson and his Donkey at the Australian War Memorial before heading to Lone Pine for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photo by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Proud moment to lead at Lone Pine

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 177 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

This Anzac Day, Corporal Kevin Jeffries will be standing proud at Lone Pine in Turkiye as the Commander of Australia’s

Army soldier Sergeant Jonathan Apps, of Australia's Federation Guard, with his daughters and a picture of his great-grandfather at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, during preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story. y Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Leading Seaman Kylie Jagiello.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring commitment and sacrifice in France

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 181 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

As Anzac Day approaches, Army Sergeant Jonathan Apps is preparing for one of the most meaningful duties of his career

Able Seaman Rachel Brandt, of Australia's Federation Guard, places a poppy to mark her respects at the Australian War Memorial during the lead-up to Anzac Day 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather. Photos by Sergeant Sagi Biderman.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Continuing a family legacy of service

23/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 165 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Federation Guard

On Anzac Day this year, Able Seaman Rachel Brandt will have the perfect opportunity to pay respects to her great-great-uncle

Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden, Private Daniel Barlow and Able Seaman Mitchell Rigney at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during final preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

ADF People Australian Army History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1324 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, France, Villers-Bretonneux

With Anzac Day fast approaching, members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) are preparing for one of the most significant events

Warrant Officer Class Two Kim Johansen stands alongside his wife, Michelle, after being presented the Federation Star clasp to his Defence Long Service Medal for 40 years of service, at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland. Story by Captain Nigel Jacobs. Photo by Lance Corporal Luke Donegan.

ADF People Australian Army History

Four decades of dedication to Army

18/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2316 Views 1 Comment Army Reserve, Federation Star, Gallipoli Barracks

Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Kim Johansen has trained and mentored young soldiers and officers, in Australia and overseas, for

Air Force Cricket's Anzac Day 2022 team line up before the match in Bowral. Story by Wing Commander Deanna Nott.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force Cricket a binding tradition

18/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1059 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport

Flight Sergeant Ian Smith has swung a bat for Air Force Cricket for nearly two decades, and this Anzac Day

Veteran Terry Conner, of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, at the Meritorious Unit Citation parade for the units' service in Somalia, held at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Guy Sadler.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

1RAR recognised for Somalia operation

16/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1266 Views 3 Comments 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Solace, Somalia

Stepping on to the streets of Baidoa, Somalia, was like stepping into a different world for newly promoted Corporal Terry

HMAS Sydney departs Fleet Base East, Sydney to embark on the fleet's second regional presence deployment for 2025. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Helen Frank.

News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Sydney’s three-month journey through the region

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 966 Views 0 Comments Bersama Shield, Fleet Base East, FPDA, HMAS Sydney, Regional Presence Deployment

From late March until early July 2025, HMAS Sydney will sail throughout the Indo-Pacific as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-2

Army Corporal Bailey Cassidy refuels a CH-47F Chinook with some 3000lbs of blended sustainable aviation fuel at RAAF Base East Sale in southern Victoria. Story by Major Cameron Jamieson. Photo by Captain Bonnie Hunt.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force

Loading up on sustainable aviation fuel

16/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 886 Views 1 Comment CH-47F Chinook, RAAF East Sale, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)

An Army CH-47F Chinook refuelled with about 3000lbs of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at RAAF Base East Sale in southern

Chaplains from six different nations of the South Pacific lay wreaths at the Australian War Memorial. Story and photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Faith in the face of modern conflict

15/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 623 Views 0 Comments Chaplains

Spiritual fitness can be a good defence against the chaos of war. CAPTION: Chaplains from six different nations of the South

From left, Royal Australian Mint coin designer Adam Ball, Army Head of Corps Brigadier Deane Limmer and Royal Australian Mint acting chief executive officer Emily Martin. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman.

Australian Army News

Special coin signals a century of service

15/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1371 Views 1 Comment Royal Australian Corps of Signals, Royal Australian Mint

The Royal Australian Mint has paid tribute to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals’ centenary by unveiling a one-dollar coin

Defence Science and Technology Group scientist Dr Ben Sparkes, left, works with Australian-built quantum clocks at the University of Adelaide. He is now part of a research project to create and deliver a ground-to-satellite optical quantum link. Story by Emma Thompson.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology Videos

New quantum tech to enhance battlespace

15/04/202528/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 899 Views 0 Comments DSTG

The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) is leading a new cutting-edge quantum research project to enhance secure timing technologies

Australian Army News Videos

Run Army participants dig deep for Legacy

15/04/202516/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 759 Views 0 Comments Legacy, Run Army

This year’s Run Army in Brisbane was the biggest yet, despite torrential rain inundating south-east Queensland in the week leading

Wing Commander Phil Parsons, from the Collaborative Autonomous Systems Project Office, speaks with aviators and representatives from Boeing about the capabilities of the Boeing MQ-28 at the Australian International Airshow 2025. Story by Flight Lieutenant Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Videos

Budgie steers RAAF into new era of air power

28/03/202510/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1757 Views 0 Comments Australian International Airshow, MQ-28A Ghost Bat

Celebrating 40 years of distinguished service, Wing Commander Philip Parsons, affectionately known as “Budgie”, is leading the charge into the

US Army personnel on the ramp of a RAAF C-27J Spartan overlook Kwajalein Atoll. Story by Flight Lieutenant Glen Paul. Photos by Sherman Hogue.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Videos

RAAF Spartan supports fisheries patrol in Marshall Islands

28/03/202529/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1604 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Operation Rai Balang, Operation Solania

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan and its crew have played a key role in the Pacific Islands Forum