About the Program

Based on the ‘Fighter Country Partnership’ developed at Luke Air Force Base in the USA, the Honorary Commander Program commenced in 2016 as a facilitated program to strengthen relationships between the leaders of the ADF and the Hunter Community.

The Honorary Commanders program teams voluntary ‘commanders’ from the Hunter community with a participating Military Commander from RAAF Base Williamtown. The program provides an opportunity for each Honorary Commander and Military Commander to establish a mutually supporting relationship that opens visibility to each other’s professional challenges and activities, exchange ideas, share experiences and build friendships between the defence and wider communities.

Honorary Commanders are invited to participate, as much as possible, in the activities of ‘their’ squadron or unit - and vice versa.   The Program provides insight for leaders within our community to the importance of RAAF Base Williamtown and the roles and missions of the Australian Defence Force in the Hunter. The program also allows Military Commanders and their units to learn more about the community in which they live. Military Commanders and personnel benefit through increased association with the community and its leaders.

Both Community and Military leaders personally benefit from the program through a mutual sharing and understanding of the leadership challenges faced by each other in different disciplines.

An Honorary Commander:

1. Is a recognised outstanding community or business leader;

2. Is an enthusiastic supporter of the ADF;

3. Is willing to find resources to accomplish the objectives of the Honorary Commander’s program.

4. Is able to invest time and effort to fulfil the two-year term as an HC.

5. Will, at the completion of their HC tour, maintain an active interest in HDSN and the program and will continue to support where able.

HONORARY COMMANDERS 2021

kari armitage - quarry mining

Tactical fighter systems program office (tfspo)

Kari’s career began at engineering firm Parson Brinckerhoff where she designed and supervised the construction of a range of infrastructure projects.  Kari broke new ground for women through her leadership of high profile developments including the Hunter Economic Zone and PB’s first ‘design and construct’ of an underground mine in NSW, Mandalong Mine. In 2006 Kari was asked by her father to take over the running of his innovative and well respected, but relatively small, drilling equipment company - Quarry Mining. Under Kari’s leadership as the sole director of Quarry Mining, the company has become a leading Australian manufacturer, employing more than fifty tradesmen, technical representatives, operations and support staff across workshops and offices in Newcastle, Sydney and Mackay. Quarry Mining is an Australian manufacturer recognised and highly regarded as a business partner among some of Australia’s largest blue-chip mining and construction companies.

JOe clayton - business owner JNP resources

76 squadron

Joe, a mining engineer, has lived the itinerate life of the miner having lived and/or worked in every state in Australia, PNG and Indonesia. Much like members of the armed forces! Now happily settled in Newcastle running an industrial abrasives business, AIMinerals, with sand mining and processing operations in the Northern Territory and South Australia.

PETER COCk - CEO newcastle airport

T&T DIRECTORATE AWC

Peter is the Chief Executive Officer of Newcastle Airport.  Peter has extensive aviation industry experience working both for airports and as an industry consultant.

JULIA CONNELL - University of newcastle

No 42 WING

Julia Connell is Executive MBA Director of the Faculty of Business and Law, University of Newcastle.  Julia is also Visiting Professor of the Graduate School of Research at University of Technology, Sydney.

PAT COOPER - CEO Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator

No 88 SQUADRON

Pat Cooper is a graduate of the Honorary Commanders program having left the PAF in 2019.  He is now CEO of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator.

MICHAEL DE IULIIS - business owner De luliis Wines

44 WING

Michael is a leading Hunter Valley winemaker and wine judge.  Mike delivered his first complete vintage using grapes grown on the De Iuliis family vineyard in 2000.  

hennie du plooy - CEO port waratah coal services

SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE GROUP

Hennie is is the Chief Executive Officer at Port Waratah Coal Services. Port Waratah Coal Services has been receiving, stockpiling, blending and loading coal for export in the Port of Newcastle for almost 40 years. They own and manage the Kooragang and Carrington Coal Terminals, with a combined capacity of 145 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). They employ approximately 350 employees operating the terminals 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.  Hennie has a B. Comm in Mineral Economics and Accounting and hails from South Africa. Hennie is also the President of the Hunter Business Chamber.

KYLIE FREARSON - Director Property Solutions 101 

26 SQUADRON

Kylie is Buyers Agent and Director with Property Solutions 101. Kylie created Property Solutions 101 in 2011 with immediate commercial success.

CHAD GRIFFITH - GM of Sales & CLient services newcastle knights

AIR COMBAT SPO

Chad Griffith is General Manager Sales and Client Services for the Newcastle Knights.  He is a graduate of Newcastle University and is skilled in planning, development and marketing.

DIANNE HAMER - business owner 20:20 Consulting services

81 wing. combined workshops

Dianne Hamer has over 30 years experience in a range of senior management roles across government, for profit and not for profit sectors, including most recently as CEO of Castle Personnel providing NDIS and Disability Employment Services. Dianne is passionate about building a more inclusive community and champions diversity and inclusion. She recently started her own business 20:20 Consulting Services to assist businesses to translate diversity and inclusion plans into reality.

BOB HAWES - CEO Hunter Business Chamber

81 WING

Bob is the Chief Executive Officer of the Hunter Business Chamber.  He has previously served as General Manager of the Hunter Development Corporation.

ADRIAN HOWARD - coo westrac

AEW&C SPO

Adrian Howard is a proud Novocastrian and Chief Operating Officer of Westrac NSW/ACT.He has over 20 years industrial business experience having previously worked with OneSteel and Asciano.

matt howell - ceO TOMAGO ALLUMINIUM

AIR COmbat group

Matt Howell has been Chief executive of Australia’s largest aluminium smelter (Tomago Aluminium) since September 2013. Prior to that he held the position of Group General Manager Smelting for Nyrstar, based in Zurich, Switzerland. This role was responsible for 9 smelters operating in Australia, The USA, China, Belgium, The Netherlands and France. Matt has in excess of 32 years in base and precious metals smelting, refining and recycling and has lived and worked in USA, China, Belgium and Switzerland. He and his Wife Katrina, have 3 children; 2 daughters studying at University of Queensland in Brisbane  and a son at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra. Now that they are finally ‘empty nesters’, Matt & Katrina enjoy relaxing on the shores of Lake Macquarie and taking in everything the wider Hunter Valley region has to offer.”

RICHARD JONES - CEO Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Northern NSW

3 SQUADRON

Richard is a former top rugby league player and long serving Chief Executive Officer of the Hunter Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

ali kimmorley - director people fusion

77 squadron

Ali is the co-founder of Peoplefusion and a highly respected recruiter with more than 15 years’ experience in the industry. Her long-standing business partnership with Sally Bartley is one of the strongest in the region. Ali is a trusted advisor to her clients, providing authentic and strategic advice at every stage of the recruitment process and at every level of recruitment. Ali’s passion for getting the best results for her candidates and clients is matched by her passion for fundraising for children’s charities Camp Quality and Harry’s House. Ali is an Accredited Professional Recruiter and has reached Member status with the industry body Recruitment & Consulting Services Association (RCSA). She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

TIM OSBORn - Owner Osborn Law

LMU TFSPO

Tim holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business from the University of Newcastle and has been qualified as a solicitor since 2004.  Tim founded Osborn Law in January 2011.

rebecca phillips - general manager fair play oosh

381 crs

Rebecca is the General Manager and provider at Fair Play OOSH.  This highly successful childcare business provides out-of-school hours care for over 350 children at six centres around the Newcastle region.

NATHAN ROBERTS - Associate Aurecon

No 87 SQUADRON

Nathan is the Newcastle Office Leader and Associate for the global engineering and infrastructure firm Aurecon.  Nathan is a civil engineer with a strong background in bridge design and building and heavy civil structures projects both in Australia and the UK.

Steven smith - Director advitech pty limited

No 481 SQUADRON

Steven is a director of the Advitech Group, a Hunter-based engineering consultancy group. Steven is also Chair of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards and has previously served as Chairman or Hunternet.

WARWICK SOMMER - COO Ampcontrol

no 3 control and reporting unit (3cru)

Warwick was appointed as COO in March 2018, after joining Ampcontrol in July 2017. Warwick has over 20 years industry experience across the legal, manufacturing and logistics sectors. Prior to rejoining Ampcontrol, Warwick held a number of senior management positions within Asciano. In his role as COO, Warwick draws on his extensive experience in logistics and commercial disciplines, to be able to develop business strategy and deliver on strategic objectives. Warwick holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the University of Newcastle, Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University, Graduate Diploma of Management (Technology Management) from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the NSW College of Law.

Erica thomas - principal newcastle grammar school

2 operational conversion unit (2ocu)

Erica became Head of Newcastle Grammar School in 2014, having broad experience with leading NSW independent schools and having held a number of leadership positions.

ALICE THOMPSON - CEO Committee for the hunter

SADFO RAAF WILLIAMTOWN

Alice Thompson is CEO of the Committee for the Hunter.  Alice has previously been the National Leader on cities and regions with KPMG and was senior advisor to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on cities and infrastructure.

PAUL TOBIN - PARTNER Sparke Helmore

No 41 WING

Paul is a partner and senior construction and procurement lawyer with Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

ROB VINCENT - executive manager out of the square

No 453 SQUADRON

A highly organised and motivated Executive Manager at Out of the Square with an excellent track record for identifying opportunities. Possesses strengths in problem-solving and the willingness to work above and beyond the call of duty.

MYLES WEST - National Sales Manager BME

2 SQUADRON

Myles is the Head of Business Development for the BME Group of companies.