National President

Les joined the Royal Australian Navy as a 15 year old Junior Recruit in January 1962 at HMAS LEEUWIN, Fremantle, WA, completing Naval Schooling gaining HET qualifications.

During his Naval Service Les qualified as an Indonesian Linguist, undertook RAN management, administrative and general Naval courses serving 44 years, 3 months, 3 days and 14 hours (who’s counting?) in the RAN and Naval Reserve. He is computer literate. In his younger days he represented the Navy in swimming, water polo and tennis.

During Naval service Les spent some years overseas and on active duty at sea - highpoints being several periods of service in The Australian Embassy, Jakarta as the Assistant Naval Attaché and on other occasions coordinating the Defence Cooperation Program.

Les’ last posting in the ADF was as the Warrant Officer on the Personal Staff of Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot KBE AO RAN, Chief of Defence Force.

Les was awarded a Returned from Active Service Badge, Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 (Clasp Malaysia), Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 (Clasp FESR), Defence Force Service Medal, a National Medal and an Australian Defence Medal.

Elected to the National Executive in August 1999 as a National Vice President he was subsequently elected to the National President’s position at the Triennial Conference in 2005. He also serves as the Webmaster for the NAA and as the National Pensions & Welfare Coordinator. In 2006 he was elected Chairman and Editor of the White Ensign Management Committee and was instrumental in the amalgamation of the NAA’s National journal with Australian Warship magazine. While serving as a Sub Section President he took pride in helping arrange an historic event for the RAN when HMAS NEWCASTLE became the first RAN ship to be commissioned in its name port. Les is a qualified TIP-trained Advocate and Welfare officer. He is a member of the Queensland TIP Consultative Committee. He is currently the Welfare and Pensions officer for Pine Rivers (Qld) Sub Section.

Les represented the NAA appearing before the Clarke Review into Veterans’ Entitlements; various Ex-Services Summit Meetings and other DVA and Government committees concerning veterans. He has also attended many other ESO’s and NAA State Conferences and Remembrance services over the years.

The National Council awarded Les a Diploma of Merit and a Certificate of Appreciation for his work in 1996. In 2007 he was awarded Life Membership of the Naval Association of Australia as a mark of esteem for outstanding service.

Les’ ESO experience is extensive. He served as a NSW RSL State Councillor 1998–2003 whilst concurrently holding the position of senior Federal Vice President of the NAA. He is a past RSL District Council President, District Council Vice President, Secretary of an RSL Sub Branch; is a past President of the Naval Association of Australia, Newcastle Sub Section; and Past President and Director of an RSL Club. For his Service to the RSL he was awarded Life Membership of the Returned and Services League of Australia in 2001 and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the RSL State Council for services to the RSL in 2004.

Les is an active lobbyist for Ex-Naval personnel seeking improvements in Conditions, Repatriation and Veterans' benefits. He is results oriented and a lateral thinker.

Les and his wife Lynda live at Ninderry on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 10 minutes from the surf at Coolum beach. They enjoy travel, going to the beach, good food, good friends, taking in the occasional movie between running the tractor and slasher around the paddocks. Many native animals reside on their property together with lots of 100 year-old mango trees that bear more fruit than they can handle.

Les Dwyer was elected National President of The Naval Association of Australia at the Triennial National Conference in Sydney in July, 2005. At the NAA Triennial Conference held in Hobart in July/August, 2008 he was re-elected for a further three year term.

Read Les' most recent contribution to White Ensign Magazine here.

See previous articles here.