STORMING THE SAVILE – MEMBERS OF THE SAVILE AND MELBOURNE SAVAGE CLUB

In May 2023 with the ink barely dry on the historic and significant AUKUS Nuclear submarine contract between the UK the US and Australia, Rear Admiral Sir Quentin Cockburn RAN (retd) gave a detailed presentation of the Australian Submarine contract.

For this brief encounter he chose the sanctity of the Savile Club. 2025 marks the year of his return.

In his 2023 address he gave a description of the efforts by the Royal Australian Navy in acquiring up to date submarines. The earlier prototypes; the French contract debacle, the pro’s and con’s of coal fired Submarines, (an innovative Australia-First invention) and the difficulty in securing a viable replacement submarine.  In these troubled times the venerable Collin’s Class submarines, which have served Australia since the late 90’s are feeble, inadequate and entirely obsolete.

In his prior address he disclosed the parameters of the contract, prototypes and the realities of working with an unreliable ally; (The US).

So much has changed since 2023, and by invitation of HM government Whitehall where he works as a consultant to the Anglo Australian BAE Systems Hunter Class frigate project he returns.

As an expert in his field, he offers to give us a broader encounter to enlighten us on the scope of the current treaty. The work undertaken to build and equip Australia’s first nuclear submarine at Barrow-in-Furness and the prospects, (not seen since the fall of Singapore) in redressing the power balance of Britain and Australia in the Pacific.

Expect a highly detailed, nuanced, ‘high level’ and breathtaking exposure of our naval capabilities and the very real weaknesses we face against an ‘unnamed adversary’ to the north of Burma, the west of Japan, and the bit to the north of India. And listen as Sir Quentin poses the vexed question of what to do with the United States?

These and other vitally important strategic conundrums of our time will be discussed at great lengths to assist the Five Eyes defense network and ensure that the ancient enemy France, is kept at bay.

May the crimson thread of kinship that still binds us hold fast,

“For if it don’t hold fast it may be unfastened’, (Jackie Fisher First Sea Lord 1915)

Recommended reading prior to the talk:

‘Brown on Resolution’; ‘The Good Ship Venus’; ‘The Cruel Seear’; ‘Das Jack-boot”

Dress Code: Black Tie