PODCAST: A proud history of providing debate and connecting sailors, with Mark Schweikert, federal president, Navy League of Australia

The pair discuss the long-standing history of the Navy League and its earliest days supporting public interest in and engagement with the Royal Australian Navy dating back to its foundation in 1901.

They also discuss:

• The services the league provides to current and former naval personnel, including the opportunity to discuss and deliberate on the issues facing the nation’s sea power.
• The importance of the Royal Australian Navy and naval sea power for Australia and critical capabilities worth considering further development on, including fixed-wing naval aviation.
• The role the league plays in working with Defence and naval cadets to encourage more Australians into the Navy.
• Schweikert’s long history of association with the Navy and the league and his ambitions for the future of the league.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team

Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 523: PODCAST: Unpacking the impacts of a disruptive new US Defense secretary
Episode 522: PODCAST: Threats, theatre and tariffs in Trump’s world, with the Defence Connect team
Episode 521: CONTESTED GROUND: Regaining the qualitative advantage
Episode 520: CONTESTED GROUND: What’s in store for 2025? Part 2
Episode 519: PODCAST: Boosting women’s involvement in defence industry, with Rachel Falzon, Women in Defence Association
Episode 518: SPOTLIGHT: Delivering a sovereign small arms and load carriage capability, with Aquaterro’s Graeme Bulte
Episode 517: PODCAST: Royal Australian Navy minehunters’ new purpose after service, with Frank van der Linde
Episode 516: CONTESTED GROUND: What’s in store for 2025?
Episode 515: PODCAST: Building a robust, fit for purpose ADF, with Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh MP
Episode 514: CONTESTED GROUND: What Trump’s Panama Canal comments mean for maritime law