Lieutenant Ron Read RANR (Rtd.) – ‘Australians enjoy unparalleled freedoms, but will tomorrows’ youth understand why?’

Our Speaker:  Lieutenant Read’s military career began when he entered the Royal Australian Navy as a Boy Seaman in early 1964, undertaking 2 months training at HMAS CERBERUS in Victoria.  He was then posted to HMAS SYDNEY, which was readying itself to transport the 1^st Battalion RAR to Vietnam, sailing from Sydney in May 1965.

After a few months in HMAS SYDNEY, he was posted to HMAS MELBOURNE, our Fleet aircraft carrier – in which he would serve three times over the course of his full-time-service.

Ron also served for 2 years in the Leander Class Destroyer Escort – HMAS TORRENS. which was seconded to the US Pacific Fleet during the last quarter of 1971. From Pearl Harbor, TORRENS then proceeded to Vietnam.

Ron was promoted to Signals Petty Officer in June 1974 and to Lieutenant RAN Reserve in March 1979.

He is a life-long student of history, particularly history from the mid-19^th century, which includes the First and Second World Wars, as well as all the confrontations in which Australia has since been involved.

Lieutenant Read has become a well-known professional military history speaker, addressing audiences including veteran organizations, historical societies, educational institutions, schools, corporates and community organizations right across South Australia.