RUSI of WA is pleased to acknowledge support from the Department of Defence Strategic Executive
For all information please contact:
Major James Cooper-Maitland Secretary, RUSI of WA on rusiwa@outlook.com Office Phone: 0458 650 904
Postal Address: (Please note recent change)
Royal United Services Institute of Western Australia (Inc) Artillery Barracks 2 Burt Street Fremantle WA 6160
Office and Library Hours:
Old Officer's Mess at Artillery Barracks 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Thursdays
RUSI of Western Australia | ![]() |
RUSI WA: HomeAimThe aim of the institute is to promote informed debate and to improve public awareness and understanding of defence and national security.
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) of Western Australia was founded in Perth in 1902. The original aim centred on improving the education of Service Officers by promoting the study of strategic and defence matters. A defence oriented library was established, which today contains a fine collection. The RUSI of WA is a Constituent Body member of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies Australia. Royal United Services Institute of Western Australia Incorporated Special General Meeting A Special General Meeting of Royal United Services Institute of Western Australia Incorporated will be held at Artillery Barracks at 6.00 pm on Tuesday 14 August 2018. Details on the main RUSIDSSA web page under Events. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Brett Biddington AM - "Space Developments in Australia"
Lecture Tuesday 14thofAugust 2018,7.00pm “Space Developments in Australia” The Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments have shown an increased focus on space. The 2018 budget provided $26m in seed funding to establish an Australian Space Agency. On 14 May 2018, Senator Michaelia Cash announced the launch of the Australian Space Agency, identifying 1 July 2018 as the commencement date and Dr. Megan Clark the inaugural Chief Executive. Locally, on 8 October 2018 the PerthUSAsia Centre is hosting ‘The Zone Above: The Indo-Pacific Era in Space’at OPTUS Stadium. Professor Brett Biddington, a space sector specialist, will discuss recent space developments in Australia and the challenges ahead. Brett Biddington AM Brett Biddington founded a consulting company in 2010 that specialises in space and cyber security matters. He led the team that delivered the International Astronautical Congress, in Adelaide in 2017. Previously he was a member of Cisco Systems’ global space team and before that an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) specialising in intelligence, security and capability development. His responsibilities in the latter role included sponsorship of space projects and the Jindalee Over-the-horizon Radar Network (JORN) project. He is a director of the Institute for Regional Security, a Canberra-based ‘think tank’, and also of the Space Environment Research Cooperative Research Centre. (SERC). He is Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC), located in Melbourne.
He holds an Adjunct Professorial appointment in the Security Research Institute at Edith Cowan University in Perth, one of Australia’s most important cyber security research organisations. Brett was admitted as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the Australian space sector in 2012. Venue: RUSI WA Meeting Room, Old Officer’s Mess, Artillery Barracks, 2 Burt Street, Fremantle, 6160. Enter via Tuckfield Street gate from 6.00pm. Bookings are essential via: https://www.trybooking.com/403014 Cost of $10 ($6 RUSI WA financial members) includes refreshment before the lecture. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Major James Cooper-Maitland - "Collective Training as a fundamental input to capability. Are we good enough?"
Lecture Thursday26thofJuly 2018,7.00pm “Collective Training as a fundamental input to capability. Are we good enough?” The Australian Defence Force has not faced a near peer enemy in over 65 years. The training the Australian Army delivers is generally considered good but is it good enough? We have robust individual training doctrine but our collective training systems are weak or non-existent. In this talk Major Cooper-Maitland will outline the current state of collective training policy and practice before highlighting shortfalls that have not been laid bare by our current operational environment. From this premise he will offer a number of suggestions that will significantly enhance the quality of our teams and our leaders. Major James Cooper-Maitland BA, B Info Sys, MA (Strategy and Policy) Major Cooper Maitland served at 5 RAR, NORFORCE, as 2IC at the School of Infantry, and most recently, has just completed a three-year posting to a local reserve unit as the senior ARA training officer. He has served overseas in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Major Cooper-Maitland is currently on Long Service Leave prior to discharging from the regular Army later this year. Venue: RUSI WA Meeting Room, Old Officer’s Mess, Artillery Barracks, 2 Burt Street, Fremantle, 6160. Enter via Tuckfield Street gate from 6.30pm. Bookings are essential via: https://www.trybooking.com Cost of $10 ($6 RUSI WA financial members) includes refreshment before the lecture. __________________________________________________________________________________________ " Future of the Australian/United States Military Alliance" Colonel Raymond Powell will provide an overview of his role as the Senior Defense Official and the role of his office within the United States Embassy in Canberra. He will provide an update on the Australian/United States military alliance and what he believes are the future opportunities and challenges that are ahead. On Thursday 17 May 2018 at 7:00pm TO MAKE A BOOKING KINDLY:___________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEWSLETTERS
Click here to download the March 2018 Newsletter
Click here to download the January 2018 Newsletter Click here to download the April 2016 Newsletter Click here to download the October 2015 Newsletter Click here to download the August 2012 version of the Constitution Click here to download the July 2014 Strategic Plan
Previous Newsletters can be downloaded by clicking below: 2016 Click here to download the April 2016 Newsletter, 2015 March, May, September, October 2013 February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October 2012 January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October #2 2011 February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September 2010 February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, On Thursday 22nd October 2015, Commander Sean Noble, RAN, Commanding Officer, Joint Logistics Unit (West) spoke on: Providing logistic support from Western Australia to enable Defence to train, fight and win
Senator Scott Ludlum discussed climate change as a multiplier of security instability, which looms as the greatest identified threat to global and regional security, observing how difficult it has been to get climate change recognised as a security issue in defence doctrine and procurement and suggest some ways forward.
Mr Smith is a Professor of International Law at UWA and a member of the Board of Directors at the Perth USAsia Centre. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Perth law firm Lavan Legal and a member of the Government and Public Sector Advisory Board for Ernst and Young Australians.
On Thursday 23rd July 2015, Derek Parks – Director of Aviation Services, Department of Fire & Emergency Services spoke on: The employment of aviation services and capabilities relating to emergency management in WA, including aviation first response. A brief introduction to the various state government, commercial and not-for-profit aviation services that employ a substantial aviation services, or have a first response or supporting role in emergency management.
Click here to download a transcript of one of the presentations:
Thursday 30th April 2015 Jim Truscott spoke about his latest book:Snakes in the Jungle, Special Operations in War and Business - an overview of Australian involvement in operations in SE Asia in WWII, and more recently in Southern Rhodesia, Bougainville, Cambodia, Southern Ocean, Indonesia, PNG, Solomon Islands, the Olympics and terrorism.
“People Not Packets – Cyber Security as an Intelligence Problem”
Mr Victor Abramowicz described how the Australian Defence Force (ADF) goes about procuring major capital equipment in terms of drawing up its needs and requirements.
Commodore Peter Lockwood is the first officer to be appointed by Defence as the Senior Officer West Australia (SOWA) working to The Secretary and CDF, a position stood up in response to a recommendation from the ADF Force Posture that Defence should create a new one star Navy appointment in WA to act as a senior representational officer for broader civil and interagency coordination and international engagement, due to the prominence of the ADF and Navy presence in Western Australia; and the increasing importance of the Indian Ocean.
The Photos below show COL Page speaking to the RUSI, and being thanked by RUSI WA President COL Michael Brennan. RUSI WA Photos 23 October 2013 Professor Sarah Percy, UWA spoke on 'Mercenaries, Private Military Companies, and Private Security Companies'26 September 2013 Major General Simone Wilkie AM spoke on:The Australian Defence College: Leading Defence Training and Education in Order to Build Defence Capability.Defence Photo 27 June 2013 Captain Angela Bond RAN, spoke on:Refining an Officer for Command - Linking Postings and Skills for the Ongoing Development of an Officer.Captain Bond assumed command of HMAS Stirling and as Senior Naval Officer – Western Australia on 17 December 2012Defence Photo 9 May 2013 Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO Chief of Army, gave a Blamey Oration, speaking on: “The Army’s Role in a National Maritime Strategy” Click here to download a transcript of this Oration
RUSI WA Photo
Click here to download a transcript of this Oration
Click here for a copy of the transcript (Photo courtesy Defence)
The RUSI of WA conducts a Blamey Oration every Year. 2010 - VADM Russ Crane Chief of Navy Click here for a copy 2011 Dr Ian J Watt AO, previous Secretary of the Department of Defence was unable to personally deliver his address but has provided it for the record. 2012 Mr Duncan Lewis AO, DSC, CSC Click here to download a transcript of this Oration 2013 LTGEN David Morrison AO Click here to download a transcript of this Oration RUSI of WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Library Catalogue The RUSI of WA has a significant library of books in its Library. Contact Secretary to borrow. For your convenience the catalogue can be downloaded complete or by section. Click on links below to download: Part III: Maps and Transparencies |