Posted by Mike Hughes, Author at CONTACT magazine

Leading Aircraftwoman Desiree Stafford and her daughter Aircraftwoman Pani Davidson prepare for the interstate ADF Basketball championships at RAAF Williams, Victoria. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photos by Corporal Michael Currie.

Battling for family bragging rights

04/02/202504/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 604 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport

Walking out for the 2024 ADF Basketball grand final, Queensland representative and 61-year-old mother of eight Air Force Corporal Desiree

HMAS Hobart's Navigating Officer, Lieutenant Tori Costello, and Commanding Officer, Commander Alisha Withers, guide Hobart as it conducts a replenishment at sea during Exercise La Perouse. Story by Lieutenant Harrison Thomas. Photo by Leading Seaman Iggy Roberts.

HMAS Hobart joins Ex La Perouse 25

04/02/202508/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1173 Views 0 Comments Exercise La Perouse, HMAS Hobart

HMAS Hobart joined eight nations off the coast of Indonesia from January 20 to 24 for the fifth iteration of

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Invictus Games success has only just begun

31/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 846 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 might not have started yet, but Adelaide’s Sean Grimmond is already hailing the event

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Katie Chapman. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Cracking on despite a broken back

31/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 868 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Breaking your back while snowboarding might put some people off snow sports for life, but not Katie Chapman. CAPTION: Invictus Games

Youth ambassadors climb the main mast on board Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour during a voyage from Sydney to Newcastle, NSW. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

News Royal Australian Navy

All aboard the sail of a lifetime

31/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1294 Views 0 Comments STS Young Endeavour

Applications are now open for youth development voyages in the Navy-operated tall ship STS Young Endeavour. CAPTION: Youth ambassadors climb the

Army gunners from the 9th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, fire a 21-gun salute under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during Australia Day celebrations. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Sergeant Tristan Kennedy.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADF put on a show for Australia Day

31/01/202520/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1443 Views 1 Comment Australia Day

By air, land and sea, the ADF played a starring role in Australia Day 2025 festivities on Sydney Harbour to

The crew of the A2-487 Iroquois, at a village near Garaina, PNG, seek witnesses to the crash of a RAAF Caribou in August 1972.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans

Air-rescue bravery rewarded 40 years after event

31/01/202502/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1504 Views 4 Comments No. 5 Squadron, PNG

Nine Royal Australian Air Force crew members who risked their lives on a rescue mission for one of the worst

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Kaz Gladysz. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Invictus competitor faces challenges head-on

31/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 602 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

In a world where many shy away from a challenge, Kaz Gladysz is the embodiment of fearlessness. CAPTION: Invictus Games 2025

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Major Elizabeth Daley. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Breaking down mental health stigma in the military

29/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 956 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Australian Army officer Major Elizabeth Daly has felt an increased sense of belonging and support since engaging with the Invictus

The Royal Australian Navy medical team deployed on active service to Iraq. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Jake Badior.

History Middle East News Royal Australian Navy

Sub-lieutenant captures history

29/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 959 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

After more than 10 years, the last ADF servicemen and women deployed under Operation Okra left the Middle East late

Exercise Western Dawn participants experience 'The 90° Wedge', a 3.8m diagonal 3D display at the HIVE (Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch) at Curtin University, Perth. Story by Major Dean Benson. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Australian Army News Science & Technology

New dawn of innovation

29/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 953 Views 0 Comments 13 Engineer Regiment, 13th Brigade, Exercise Western Dawn

Soldiers, students and some sharp minds from defence industry came together for six weeks in Perth recently to deliver an

Petty Officer Mark has been awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal in the Australia Day honours for his rescue of a fellow submariner. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Able Seaman Zac Dingle.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Royal Australian Navy

Fear of sharks shelved in the line of duty

28/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1043 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours, HMAS Farncomb, RIMPAC

Australia Day CAPTION: Petty Officer Mark has been awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal in the Australia Day honours for his rescue

Chief Petty Officer Matthew with his wife and father after HMAS Waller berths alongside Diamantina Pier at Fleet Base West. He received a Conspicuous Service Medal during the 2025 Australia Day Honours. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Damian Pawlenko.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

Sailor rewarded for fight against heavy metal

28/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1329 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours, Collins-class submarines

Australia Day CAPTION: Chief Petty Officer Matthew with his wife and father after HMAS Waller berths alongside Diamantina Pier at Fleet

Personnel from across the spectrum of Defence activities and capabilities have been honoured in this year's Australia Day awards list. Photo by Corporal Jarrod Moreels.

ADF People

Honours for excellence in all domains

28/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 599 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours

Australia Day CAPTION: Personnel from across the spectrum of Defence activities and capabilities have been honoured in this year’s Australia Day

Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Leading Aircraftwoman Samantha Quadrio, bottom left, with the Australian team at the Governor-General’s XI vs England match at North Sydney Oval. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Chief Petty Officer Andrew Dakin.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

From ‘baggy blue’ to national cricketing uniform

24/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 907 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, Governor-General of Australia, No. 75 Squadron

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Leading Aircraftwoman Samantha Quadrio felt humbled and thankful for her selection onto the Governor General’s

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Captain Olivia Miley-Dyer. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Army captain aims higher, further, faster

24/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1224 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

As fate would have it, Captain Olivia Miley-Dyer found herself sitting in her car in the Canadian Rockies when she

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Dane Greenstreet. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Signing off on an Invictus high

24/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 894 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Rehabilitation centred on sport and exercise has been Dane Greenstreet’s focus since medically discharging from the Australian Army eight years

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Squadron Leader Bel Culley. Story by Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Squadron Leader Bel Culley. Photos: Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

From storyteller to competitor

24/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1162 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

In 2018, Squadron Leader Belinda ‘Bel’ Culley had the privilege of working as a part of the public affairs team

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Corporal Jason Marsh. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Ending career on Invictus Games high

24/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 683 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Corporal Jason Marsh is one of those people who performs at his best when he’s working towards a goal. CAPTION: Invictus

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Colin McCallum. Story. by Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Invictus competitor already a winner

24/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 734 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Given his stint as a Navy cadet, his passion for sailing and his father’s naval background, it was hardly surprising