South Australia - The Defence State

An eminent naval architect and Head, Maritime Systems (HMS) in the Royal Australian Navy until July 2007, Rear Admiral Trevor Ruting now serves in the Navy Reserve. As HMS, he was responsible for acquisition and support of all RAN ships, submarines and army watercraft as well as the initial development of the new Air Warfare Destroyers and Amphibious Ships. After completing engineering studies at RANC and UNSW, he served aboard HMA ships Stalwart, Perth, Melbourne and HMAS Brisbane, HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Perth until he was posted to Navy Office as a Commander in 1986 to work on Forward Design (Ship Projects). He was subsequently involved in significant projects including the Offshore Patrol Combatant Project; a comprehensive review of Naval Aviation; and the ANZAC Ship Project (Director General, Surface Warfare Systems). As Captain, then Commodore, he rose to Director General, Maritime Support in the new Defence Materiel Organisation before his appointment to HMS (acting) – a position later confirmed on his promotion to Rear Admiral. Trevor Ruting was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1993 and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (Military Division) in 2001. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia.