Victoria Chapter

CHAPTER MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE FOURTH MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT THE WAVERLEY RSL
The Waverley RSL is located at 161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley, and is conveniently situated opposite the Glen Waverley railway station. The RSL car park is free but you need to display a ticket on your dashboard (obtainable from reception) or use the public car park opposite.

You are invited to our Monthly Meeting commencing at 1900 on Monday 23 June 2025

Guest Speaker

 MAJ GEN Mike O’Brien, CSC, MDA, BSC

“The US Navy Fleet Visit to Australia – 1925”

Major General Mike O’Brien has had extensive military career, including early service in Vietnam as an infantry officer, then various regimental, staff training, equipment acquisition, engineering and logistics postings culminating in his appointment as Support Commander-Army.  He was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for services to Defence procurement and has extensive academic experience and qualifications.  In recent years he led an Australian government task to co-ordinate the recovery and identification of 250 Australian soldiers killed in action at the Battle of Fromelles, France, during the First World War.  He is now the President of the Royal United Services Institute of Victoria.

Michael will talk about the visit to Australia by a fleet of 56 US Navy warships in 1925.   Forty-eight of these ships came to Melbourne, Australia’s official capital and temporary seat of Federal Parliament at the time.  The remainder visited Sydney.  This visit of US Navy battleships, cruisers and destroyers was designed to demonstrate American naval power and strengthen the US-Australia alliance, building upon the so-called “Great White Fleet” visit of 1908.

It was the largest foreign naval fleet ever to visit Australian shores and the Australian public gave them a tremendous welcome.  Michael’s talk will be illuminated by some great photographs and archive materiel.

Membership of the NHSA automatically entitles you to be part of the Victoria Chapter and to share in its activities.

We hold our monthly meetings in the well-appointed “Sunset Room” at the RSL – easy access is provided by an adjacent lift.  Our program is listed on the website, and we either have a Guest Speaker or show a film.  Meetings start at approximately 7.00 pm and finish by 9.00 pm.

The “Warramunga Restaurant” on the ground floor opens at 5.30pm and a number of members and guests take the opportunity to enjoy a few drinks at the bar from 5pm onwards before heading to the Restaurant. Please be seated by 5.45pm to ensure the meeting starts on time.

Our Secretary Lynda Gilbert coordinates the booking of tables, so please let her know in advance by email lynda.gilbert@aol.com if you are intending to join us for dinner.

If joining us for the first time, please let us know when you plan to visit by contacting Andrew Mackinnon and we will ensure you are made welcome.

The Chapter produces a monthly newsletter called the ‘Three-Headed Dog’, containing a variety of articles of interest.  Edited by Andrew Mackinnon, this is published 11 times a year and is distributed by email to Victorian members free of charge.  Copies of the latest and previous ‘Three-Headed Dog’ newsletters can be found on the

Visit Navy Victoria Network