A Greek boy's commanding position

Sydney's John Stavridis reached a big milestone for himself and Sydney's Greek community last month when he took command of HMAS Arunta, a warship in the frontline of Australia's naval defence.

With the rank of Commander in the Royal Australian Navy, the 41 year old has had his eye on the Captain's chair for some time.

"I always wanted to join the Navy and, with a family history of naval service, it only seemed natural," he said. "Twenty-three years ago my parents were very supportive of my career choice and I have never looked back."

Commander Stavridis was born in Sydney, the son of Iordanis and Kaliopi who immigrated to Australia from the islands of Lemnos and Samos in the 1960s.

He joined the Navy in 1988 straight out of Sydney's Trinity Grammar School and attended the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, completing a university degree, and graduating with honours in 1991.

After navigation training Commander Stavridis specialised as a maritime warfare officer and began to travel the world.

"I have been to a lot of places with the Navy; Asia, the Americas, the Pacific and the Middle East, although I am still waiting for the opportunity to take my ship to Europe - and one day hopefully Greece," he said.

Commander Stavridis considers the Royal Australian Navy an employer of choice.

"I could not think of a better employer in Australia today...the Navy has sponsored me through two masters degrees," he said, adding that it is the range of job opportunities, adventure, travel, job security and world-class training that makes his career so rewarding.

Commander Stavridis could be the first Australian of Greek heritage to command an Australian warship, although he is not sure.

"What I do know is that all us Greek Australians in the Navy today are serving with pride," he said.

"The Navy is very accepting of my cultural heritage and I personally hold close the Greek customs, language and traditions. My faith is also important to me and the Navy is also very supportive of that."

Commander Stavridis has now moved to Perth, Western Australia, where HMAS Arunta is based but his travels are continuing.

He and his crew will be deploying to Darwin and South-East Asia in August to take part in multi-national naval exercises.