The Sir James Stirling Mess at HMAS Stirling is leading a renewed approach to professional learning through the introduction of the Stirling Press Club lunches and a series of targeted professional military education (PME) sessions.
Together, these initiatives give Navy personnel regular opportunities to engage with strategic and operational issues shaping Australia's security environment.
The most recent Stirling Press Club lunch, 'AUKUS from the Deep: Strategic Insights from Senior Submariners', was a panel discussion bringing together the Commander of the Submarine Force, Commodore Daniel Sutherland, and retired Captain Gary Lawton of the Royal Australian Navy with Captain Shaun Southwood of the Royal Navy.
Drawing on decades of operational experience, the speakers offered insights into submarine operations and the evolving strategic dynamics of the Indo‑Pacific.
Established in 2025 by Lieutenant Mathew Jansen and Sub-Lieutenant Gus Coleman, the Stirling Press Club was created in response to growing interest in strategic‑level discussion within the workforce. The concept builds on traditional mess functions while introducing long‑form, discussion‑focused engagement with senior leaders and subject‑matter experts.
'The Press Club gives people the chance to listen, question and reflect on issues that directly affect Navy and Australia's maritime future.'
For Sub-Lieutenant Coleman, the initiative draws on his previous experience working at the National Press Club in Canberra, where he saw firsthand the value of structured, informed discussion between senior leaders, media and policymakers. Adapting that model to a Navy context, he said the Stirling Press Club provides a forum that encourages personnel to engage critically with complex strategic issues in a familiar mess environment.
"There's a strong appetite at Stirling to better understand the broader strategic context in which we operate," Sub-Lieutenant Coleman said.
"The Press Club gives people the chance to listen, question and reflect on issues that directly affect Navy and Australia's maritime future."
In addition to the Press Club lunches, shorter PME sessions continue to attract strong attendance.
Recent speakers have included the Director‑General of National Intelligence Andrew Shearer, who addressed emerging regional trends and Navy's contribution to national security. Senior diplomat Paul Myler, former Ambassador to Russia and Deputy Chief of Mission to the United States, has also spoken at HMAS Stirling, sharing insights from his involvement in the early development of the AUKUS partnership.
Together, these initiatives support the Fleet's broader focus on building strategic awareness and enhancing decision‑making across all ranks. By combining expert perspectives with the collegial environment of the mess, the Stirling Press Club and PME program are embedding professional learning into the daily rhythm of life at HMAS Stirling.
