Pipeclay Club – 2024 ANZAC Day Lunch

The Defence Reserve Strategic Review – a perspective.

After the ANZAC Day March, the Pipeclay Club invite members and guests to come together to mark this solemn day of remembrance. Special guest speaker Brigadier Michael Annett CSC will speak about the Reserve Strategic Review.

About the Topic:

As a consequence of the Defence Strategic Review which reported publicly in April 2023, Defence has been tasked to conduct a very comprehensive and far-reaching strategic review of Defence Reserves in Australia to consider reserves and reserve service [i.e. the pattern of reserve service as much as the people themselves] as part of National Defence in the light of current strategic circumstances.

We are faced with a deteriorating security environment overall. Hence, one of the driving forces behind the DSR is the loss of the 10-years’ warning-of-conflict period that had featured so heavily in our thinking up until this point.

In light of these changing circumstances, the Review is to investigate innovative ways to adapt the current structure, shape, conditions of service, and role of the Reserves to determine how the Defence Reserves can best complement the total defence workforce and can provide an expansion base and follow-on forces in time of crisis.

The review is to investigate innovative ways to adapt the current structure, shape, conditions of service, and role of the Reserves to determine how the Reserves can best complement the total defence workforce and provide an expansion base and follow-on forces in time of crisis.

About our Speaker: Brigadier Michael Annett CSC

Michael was born on 1st March 1962 in Western Victoria and after completing his secondary education at Hamilton High School he entered the Royal Military College in 1980, graduating in 1983. His initial appointment in 1985 was as a Troop Leader in 1st Armoured Regiment. 1987 – 1989 saw him as a Squadron 2IC in 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He also served as Officer Commanding A Squadron, 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles in 1993/4 and the Commanding Officer of 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment in Victoria in 2000/2001.

In 1988/89 Michael served as a UN Military Observer on the ceasefire line between Iran and Iraq and he has participated in exchanges with British and New Zealand armoured units and with the US Army.

He held a number of training and staff appointments including Senior Instructor Tactics at the School of Armour, Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor of Warrant Officer and NCO Wing at the Land Warfare Centre Canungra and Chief of Staff, Headquarters 2nd Division, in 2003/4.

Michael Annett is a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College which he attended in 1995 and from which he was awarded a Diploma in Management Studies. As a graduate of the University of New South Wales he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in History in 1984, and from Deakin University he was awarded a Masters Degree in International Relations in 1999. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Colonel Annett’s final appointment in the Regular Army was as Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 636, responsible for planning and delivering ADF support to the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, in March 2006.

Michael left the Regular Army to serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Branch of the RSL in May 2006, the state’s major veteran support organisation and a large commercial hospitality and aged care facilitation enterprise. In 2007 Michael resumed his soldiering as a Reservist. He attended the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies as a part-time student in Canberra in 2012 and was awarded a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Studies. Michael was promoted to Brigadier on 1st January 2013 to assume command of 4th Brigade in 2013.

Resuming full time military service in May 2015, Michael deployed to Afghanistan as the Australian Task Group Commander from July 2015 to March 2016.

Upon his return from Afghanistan Michael returned to his role with the Victorian RSL. He also took up the position Director General Reserves – Army, a part time appointment within Army HQ. In January 2019 Michael moved to the position of Assistant Commander of 2nd Division.

Michael moved from his position as Chief Executive Officer of RSL Victoria in October 2019 to a contracted role with the Department of Veteran Affairs where he contributed to the establishment of six new Veteran and Family Wellbeing Hubs nationally. The success of this project is now being followed up by using the model for a significantly expanded Commonwealth funded network facilitated through DVA. In May 2021, Michael commenced a project role working in support of the Joint Transition Authority within Defence, initially focused on updating the Defence Transition Manual to reflect best practice in managing and improving transition outcomes for ADF members and their families. With the Manual now adopted Michael is undertaking further project work for Defence as a Reserve senior officer within Joint Capability Group and in a private capacity provides strategic consultancy services with a focus on policy development and sustainable service delivery planning.

Michael was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in the 2007 Australia Day Honours List and received a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his role in Afghanistan in the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours List. He was appointed an Honorary Aide de Camp to the Governor-General and since March 2021 has been the Honorary Colonel of 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and is Patron of the Regimental Association. Michael is the Deputy Chair of the Melbourne Cricket Club’s Military Veteran Group, is a member of the Victorian Council of the Royal United Services Institute, and in January 2023 was elected as the National President of the Defence Reserves Association. He is also a Legatee and Vice President of Melbourne Legacy.

Michael Annett and his wife Helen have a son, William and a daughter, Victoria. Michael is a keen horse rider and runner and he and Helen enjoy bushwalking and their amateur farming activities on their small property in Western Victoria.

Dress: Uniform or Men – Lounge suit / Jacket and Tie, and Ladies – Day Dress and medals.

Cost: $65 per person, includes 2 course luncheon.

Beverages: Beverages are available at the cash bar.

Bookings: Bookings are necessary and guests are very welcome. You do not have to be an RACV Club Member to book.

RSVP: When bookings use the link below:

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VIA RACV CLUB WEBSITE

Please advise any dietary requirements or special needs.