Being a not for profit organisation all our people are volunteers. The total number of regular volunteers is 35 to 40. They serve in a variety of capacities including; research and writing, as members of the national and Chapter committees and as tour guides of Garden Island, Sydney. Many are involved in delivering Society services which include; secretarial, accounting, sales, publications, membership, library, administration, research, archives, IT support, website content development and FaceBook management. The volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a broad range of skill sets which makes us a strong and innovative team. Less than 70% have a service background. Like any successful organisation the Society is always seeking new volunteers to achieve its ambitious business plan. Volunteers with plenty of initiative and good IT skills are always required. In addition to the traditional arrangement whereby volunteers attend the office on a regular basis a growing number of Society volunteers work remotely from home using the internet.
Meet some of our team.
Max Sulman
Tour Guide
I spent almost 40 years in the RAN and Garden Island was a constant in my life. I enjoy showing people the island and giving them some idea of Australia’s naval history.
David Michael
President
Regular contact with the Society during his final posting in the RAN as Director of the Naval Heritage Collection which involved managing Navy’s museums led to an invitation to join the Committee. Given that there is a story behind every heritage item it was not a big transition to join the Society as a regular volunteer. He was elected president in 2017 and continues in this role.
Liz Colthorpe
Librarian
My interest in the NHSA began in the 1970s when I thought as a young navy wife I should know something about my husband’s career. Since then I have very much enjoyed passing on whatever help I can to answer queries about naval history.
Hugh Farmer
Administration
Having joined the Society from a non-naval background in 2016 I have enjoyed participating in a variety of administrative support, archival and research activities and discovered the richness of Australia’s naval history. Working in the old Boatshed in the midst of a working Dockyard is also a very special experience.
Vivienne Murray
Tour Coordinator and Guide
Viv Murray served in the WRANS from 1971 to 1978 and in the RAN from 1978 to 1981 in the Communications Branch. Viv has volunteered with NHSA since 2022 and is currently a Tour Coordinator and Guide.
Melissa Julian
Editorial Team
Granddaughter of founding member and former editor of the Review Harry Adlam, Melissa joined us through a work experience placement as she completed her Bachelor of Arts in English and Writing. She has joined as a regular volunteer and will be taking on the layout of the Buzz as well as a Masters in Museum & Heritage Studies as her two main projects for 2025.
Dr Frank Doughty OAM BVSc PhD
Security and Administration
A retired veterinary surgeon with over 40 years service in NSW Department of Agrculture. He is a member of the NHSA and became a volunteer in 2010 firstly as researcher with the late John Smith then as a Tour Guide and finally Tours Coordinator (over 40 Tours of GI each year) until 2022. Continues to organize Crim Checks for volunteers.
His father and two uncles served in the RAN during Second World War. One uncle continued his career in the RAN after the war attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was recorded as the longest serving officer on HMAS Melbourne. He was a crew member during the 2 collisions involving this aircraft carrier.
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Activity Centres |
| Administration, Personnel, Finance & Membership Database |
| Information Resources (archive, library & research) |
| The Naval Historical Review & Newsletters (research, writing & editing) |
| Products (DVDs, Monographs, plans, CDs, books) Development, Production, Marketing, Sales & distribution |
| Promotion of Society |
| Tours (coordination & guiding) |
| Information, Communications & Technology Network management Hardware and maintenance support Website management |