Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

MakerSpace site supervisor Daniel Deleur shows Craftsmen Edward Viney and Dylan Mountain things people have made, during a site induction at the MakerSpace on Robertson Barracks. Story and photos by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree.

MakerSpace solves big problems with clever ideas

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1312 Views 1 Comment 3d Printer, MakerSpace, Robertson Barracks

Tucked away on Robertson Barracks lies a workshop that hums with creativity, problem-solving and quiet ingenuity. CAPTION: MakerSpace site supervisor Daniel

Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt in Exmouth, Western Australia. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

News Royal Australian Navy

A look inside secretive comms facility ahead of overhaul

18/03/202523/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1657 Views 2 Comments Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt, Navy Intelligence and Information Warfare

Work is under way to overhaul a kilometres-wide and 300-metre-tall transmitter array in the remote West Australian town of Exmouth.

An Army staff cadet from the RMC - Duntroon during Exercise Shaggy Ridge at Majura Training Area, ACT. Story by Lieutenant Tahlia Merigan. Photo by Corporal Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News Videos

Exercise pushes staff cadets’ limits

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1410 Views 0 Comments Army Cadets, Exercise Shaggy Ridge, Royal Military College-Duntroon (RMC-D)

Restricted food, sleep and limited feedback are what staff cadets from Royal Military College – Duntroon (RMC-D) experienced on Exercise

Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) host the 2025 DMFS welcome event in Adelaide. Story by Chelsey Ballard. Photo by Georgina Holmes.

ADF People

ADF settles into South Australian postings

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2532 Views 0 Comments Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS)

With the start of a new year comes a series of new postings for ADF personnel and their families. CAPTION: Defence

Navy Imam Mogamat Majidih Essa leads a prayer for members of the TNI AL at a local mosque in Surabaya Indonesia during Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023. Story by Corporal Luke Bellman. Photo by Sergeant Craig Barrett.

ADF People

Challenges personnel face during Ramadan

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 292 Views 0 Comments Chaplains

For Muslims in Defence, Ramadan presents a set of unique challenges. CAPTION: Navy Imam Mogamat Majidih Essa leads a prayer

Royal Australian Navy pilot Lieutenant Jure Plestina observes a vessel from a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft during a coordinated maritime domain awareness activity in the South China Sea. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos: byCorporal Emma Schwenke.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Freedom of navigation mission protects Indo-Pacific

18/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1140 Views 0 Comments HMAS Hobart, No. 11 Squadron, P-8A Poseidon, Regional Presence Deployment

Exercising Australia’s freedom of navigation, the Royal Australian Air Force successfully completed maritime surveillance missions in the Indo-Pacific region under

Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving Mr Watkins' life, and receive a tour of the ship while alongside Fleet Base East in Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

Training saves life of tourist in trouble

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1318 Views 1 Comment HMAS Canberra, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

“Without their help … I wouldn’t be here.” CAPTION: Elinor Thomas and Thomas Watkins, centre, thank HMAS Canberra personnel for saving

Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, talks with Queensland State Emergency Service officers about assisting Hervey Bay residents in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Private Gabriel Argent.

Australian Army News

Flood clean-up reaffirms Defence ties

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1134 Views 0 Comments 6th Battalion RAR, Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The community of Hervey Bay has strong Defence connections. CAPTION: Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian

Australian Army soldiers from 7th Combat Brigade conduct preparations at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of final preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Australian Army News

Support for Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1161 Views 0 Comments Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emergency authorities in Queensland and

Able Seaman Bharatkumar (Brett) Thumar, left, and Leading Seaman Chris Hughes reunite with Liz Cummings for the first time since providing first aid to her in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. Story by Lieutenant Allan Bruty. Photo by Petty Officer James Whittle.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Sailors save the day with first aid

14/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 919 Views 0 Comments

A routine run for three sailors in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens turned into a real-life first aid exercise, after they

Members of 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment meet Commander 11 Brigade, Brigadier Richard Peace, at Redlands City Council Local Government Area while supporting the local community affected by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Story by Captain Cath Batch. Photo by Ed Cousins.

Australian Army News

Troops waded in to help after cyclone

14/03/202527/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 679 Views 0 Comments 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

Soldiers from 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and 11 Brigade deployed across south-east Queensland with high-clearance vehicles to support the response

Australian Army officer Brigadier Damian Hill presents Lance Bombardier Joshua Burke with an engraved watch in recognition of the Mattner Award. Story by Major Tim Sydenham. Photo by Signals Aaron Thant.

ADF People Australian Army

Artillery award a nice surprise for gunner

11/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1684 Views 0 Comments NASAMS, Royal Australian Artillery

This year’s recipient of the Royal Australian Artillery’s Mattner Award had no idea he had been nominated. CAPTION: Australian Army officer

Australian Army soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, departing Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane as part of the Australian Defence Force response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo by Corporal Janet Pam.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Updates as of 11 March 2025 Support for Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred

11/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1209 Views 0 Comments Operation Tropical Cyclone Alfred Assist

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), emergency authorities in Queensland and

People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang

News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Updates on People’s Liberation Army–Navy vessels operating near Australia

11/03/202525/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2383 Views 0 Comments

People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) Task Group 107, comprised of the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, the Renhai-class Cruiser Zunyi, and the Fuchi-class