11 Facts About Stuart Mayer

Stuart Mayer joined the navy via the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell in 1984 and qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer in 1994.

Stuart Mayer served as Commander Australian Fleet from 2014 to 2018, Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from 2018 to 2019, and Deputy Commander United Nations Command, based in South Korea, from 2019 to 2021.

In 1993 Stuart Mayer commenced training as a Principal Warfare Officer and graduated with distinction in 1994.

In January 2000 Stuart Mayer was promoted to commander and posted to the United States as the first ADF Liaison officer to US Joint Forces Command based in Norfolk, Virginia.

Stuart Mayer returned from the United States in mid-2002 and assumed command of HMAS Canberra, continuing an association with that ship that included service in every rank from trainee to commanding officer.

Stuart Mayer left HMAS Canberra in July 2004 and was promoted to the rank of captain and assumed the position of Chief Staff Officer at Maritime Headquarters Australia in January 2005.

Stuart Mayer returned to MHQ in October 2005, resuming duties as Chief Staff Officer.

In January 2007 Stuart Mayer attended the Australian Defence College and read for a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.

Stuart Mayer left Anzac in mid-2009, was promoted to commodore and appointed Commander of the multi-national International Stabilisation Force in East Timor on 24 October 2009.

In recognition of his "selfless devotion to duty and outstanding achievement" in these senior roles, Stuart Mayer was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2017 Australia Day Honours.

Stuart Mayer relinquished command of the Australian Fleet to Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead in January 2018 and was appointed as Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from March.