Defence Science Centre

Philip Spedding, DSC AM, RAN (rtd)

Chair of the Advisory Board & Western Australian Defence Advocate

Philip Spedding assumed the role of Defence Advocate in January 2023. He provides independent advice to the Western Australian Government and promotes the State’s Defence industry capability and capacity through effectively liaising with senior decision-makers in Canberra.

His position plays a critical role in achieving the Western Australian Government’s economic diversification agenda and ensuring that the State is awarded with all relevant naval shipbuilding, submarine sustainment and general defence support work.

With a highly distinguished career spanning over four decades in the Royal Australian Navy, Philip is the most suitable representative to achieve the Western Australian Government’s defence industry objectives.

His permanent naval service included overseas exchanges and multiple sea commands. His operational experience included fisheries and border protection, service in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia and Fiji, and multiple deployments to the Middle East.

Promoted to the Navy senior leadership group as a Commodore in 2009, he held positions focused on operational planning, organisational risk, and preparedness. After transitioning from full time to reserve service in 2015, he undertook further appointments focusing on joint and combined training, capability planning and management, and infrastructure development.

Selected for promotion to Rear Admiral in 2020, Philip undertook specialist reviews into Australia’s future submarine capability requirements, and the optimal location for an East Coast submarine base.

His outstanding service and contribution to the nation and allied forces has been recognised through the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia, a Commendation for Distinguished Service, and the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2009, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his exceptional performance as a Coalition Task Group Commander during a Middle-East Region operation.

Philip formed his own consultancy business in 2020 and has since provided support to several clients across industry and academia. For three years, he also provided specialist advice on maritime sustainment infrastructure to the Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group. He sits on the management and advisory boards of several defence focused companies.

In support of his clients, Philip draws upon a broad range of skills acquired during his 41 years of military service, and an extensive network across Defence, Government and industry. He is passionate about working to understand requirements, delivering innovative solutions to problems, and delivering results.

Philip and his wife Karen live in Canberra and have two adult daughters.

Linda Dawson

Deputy Director General of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Linda Dawson is a senior executive with more than 25 years experience working in large Australian and multinational organisations across the resources and utilities sectors.  Over Linda’s career she has led corporate services, community development, human resources, health safety and environment, corporate affairs and operational functions. Linda currently works for the Department of Jobs Tourism Science and Innovation in the Western Australian Government, as Deputy Director General Industry Science Innovation.

Linda has a strong belief in equality and respect for all in society, learning from our First Nations people, empowering women and giving back to the community. She has been a Chair of the MCA Indigenous Community of Practice, mentor with WIMWA and a past Chair of the CMEWA Pilbara Regional Council.

Linda is currently a Board Member of Workpower, Vice Chairperson of Midland Women’s Health Care Place and a Member of the Sir Charles Gardiner and Osborne Park Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee.

She holds a Masters of Education and Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Western Australia, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Certified Professional of the Australian Human Resource Institute and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Dr Carolyn Patteson

Defence Science and Technology Group

Harry Hubbert

Director and Chief Technology Officer, Greenroom Robotics Pty Ltd

Harry Hubbert is a Naval Architect, ADF veteran, Director, and Chief Technology Officer. Passionate about Robotics and Maritime Autonomy, Harry graduated from the Australian Maritime College in 2014 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, specialising in subsea systems and robotics. 

Entering service with the Royal Australian Navy in 2011 as a Marine Engineer Officer, Harry held roles on board RAN vessels, with his final sea-posting as the Deputy Marine Engineer Officer for HMAS Adelaide (L01). Following a number of Roles as the Capability Realisation Engineer for maritime robotics projects, Harry completed his service in Canberra within Navy Capability and the Warfare Innovation branch, being awarded the Engineers Australia "2020 AUSTRALIA’S INNOVATIVE ENGINEERS" award for his work in grassroots innovation and robotics projects. 

Leaving the ADF with a passion for enhancing sovereign capability and innovation, Harry co-founded Greenroom Robotics, a small and thriving Australian technology company with the mission to revolutionise the maritime sectors through the ethical application of robotics and artificial intelligence. As a Director and Chief Technology Officer of Greenroom Robotics, Harry and his teamwork with SMEs, government bodies, commercial organisations and private entities in Australia and worldwide, delivering innovative solutions and game-changing products to our clients and partners. 

Outside of his core work responsibilities, Harry is passionate about mentoring young engineers, grassroots innovation and other programs to enhance Australia's sovereign capability and self-reliance. 

Professor Melinda (Lindy) Fitzgerald

Curtin Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research

John Curtin Distinguished Professor Melinda Fitzgerald is the Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research at Curtin University and CEO of Connectivity Traumatic Brain Injury Australia.

Lindy is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies, frameworks, and activities to achieve the University’s strategic goals in research and IP commercialisation, including Curtin’s Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer funded by the federal government.

Professor Fitzgerald also leads a team of researchers and post-graduate students in nationally coordinated research focused around understanding and preventing the loss of function that occurs following neurotrauma.

Professor Caroline Finch AO

ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Vice-President

Professor Caroline Finch AO joined ECU in 2018 as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Vice-President with the responsibility for leading research at ECU. She has extensive board and committee experience particularly across science, technology, defence, health, and sport domains. She is ECU's designated representative on multiple industry-linked Joint Venture Agreement partnerships and collaborations including the Cybersecurity CRC, Pawsey Supercomputing Facility, Defence Science Centre, WA Agricultural Research Collaboration, WA Health Translation Network, WA Marine Science Institute and WA Biological Sciences Institute. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor Finch AO is a respected leader, known for her strong stakeholder engagement, communication skills and high professional integrity. Her influential research outcomes have directly informed safety policy and programs for Government Departments of Sport and Health, health promotion/injury prevention agencies, and peak sports bodies worldwide. She is a highly sought-after mentor and woman in STEMM leader. She maintains an active role in the development and training of researchers, including through higher degree by research programs and PhD supervision.

Prior to her appointment at ECU, Professor Finch AO was the Dean of Graduate Studies at Federation University Australia. She has previously held Research Professor and Research Centre Director roles at the University of New South Wales, University of Ballarat, Monash University and Federation University Australia. Professor Finch holds a PhD in Mathematics/Statistics from Monash University and a Research Masters in Mathematical Statistics from Latrobe University.

In 2018, Professor Finch was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her distinguished service to sports medicine, particularly in the area of injury prevention as an educator, researcher and author, and to the promotion of improved health in athletes and those who exercise.

Professor Peter Eastwood

Murdoch Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation)

The DVC (Research & Innovation) has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and focus of research undertaken within the University. This position is active in developing closer research links and a funding base with both private and public sector users and providers. In addition, the DVC-R&I is responsible for ensuring the promotion of research for the public good and educating the public about the benefits of research and its contribution to society.

Professor Anna Nowak

UWA Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) 

Prof Anna Nowak is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at UWA, working with the UWA Executive to deliver research strategy and outcomes across the University. Previous roles include Pro Vice Chancellor (Health and Medical Research), Deputy Executive Dean (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) and Associate Dean (Research).

She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the Oxford Women's Leadership Development Program (Oxford Said Business School), and the Australian Institute of Management Consultant Development Program. In 2022 she completed a Master of Leadership from Deakin University.

She spent 17 years as a Clinical Academic in the UWA Medical School and was also Director of the National Research Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases (NCARD) from 2017-2022. Her medical speciality is Medical Oncology, and she was a practicing medical oncologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital from 2005 to 2021. She is a member of the Board of Directors, Cancer Council WA.

Prof Nowak has participated actively in mesothelioma research over the past 20 years, and has received international recognition in this area, including the 2020 Wagner Medal from the International Mesothelioma Interest Group. She is a member of the Board of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group and is currently President-Elect. She continues to complete work with other researchers in this field at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, UWA and internationally, although she relinquished clinical practice in mesothelioma at the end of 2021.

Commodore Ivan Ingham, AM, RAN

Senior Officer Western Australia

Brigadier Amanda Williamson

Commander of 13th Brigade