Commander C.J Oxenbould RAN

RADM Chris Oxenbould AO RAN

Rear Admiral Chris Oxenbould AO RAN had 37 years of service with the Royal Australian Navy, in which Mr Oxenbould achieved the rank of Rear Admiral. As an Admiral, his postings included Deputy Chief of Navy, Maritime Commander Australia and Chief of Naval Personnel.

His career included command of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet and the Australian Task Group during the first Gulf War. Previously he was captain of the destroyer HMAS Perth and the frigate HMAS Canberra.

He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1991, and received awards from the governments of the United States and Saudi Arabia following his service in the first Gulf War.

After more than four years at the helm, NSW Maritime Chief Executive Chris Oxenbould AO will today retire from the State’s maritime regulator and a distinguished maritime career.

Mr Oxenbould’s career has spanned more than 45 years of public service. He will retire to spend more time with friends and family, and to go sailing.

In his time with NSW Maritime, Mr Oxenbould oversaw a significant organisation restructure; extensive policy reform, particularly in the maritime property area; the take over of maintenance for all public ferry wharves in Sydney; and improved consultative processes with the boating community.

Mr Oxenbould was seconded by the State Government to the Sydney Ferries Corporation as Acting Chief Executive for six months in 2006 to oversee the corporation’s operations and assist in the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.

He also held a strategic planning role in the NSW Premier’s Department and served two years as Chief Executive of the Newcastle Port Corporation in 2002 and 2003.

A keen sailor, Mr Oxenbould has completed 10 Sydney to Hobart yacht races and was Chairman of the Sydney to Hobart Race Committee in 2000 and 2001.

Chris Oxenbould joined the Yachting Australia National Safety Committee in July 2010.