She is currently posted as director Navy reputation management in Navy Headquarters, and will share some of her experiences with her hometown this Anzac Day.
Commander Finlay will be the guest of honour of the Deniliquin RSL Sub-branch, attending its pre-Anzac dinner on Thursday and Anzac Day events next Friday.
She’ll also get the chance to catch up with her dad, Ian Lance.
Commander Finlay’s introduction to the Royal Australian Navy was as a Maritime Warfare Officer, proceeding to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) as a Midshipman.
In 1996, she graduated from ADFA with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography.
Since then, she has worked with HMAS Wollongong, completed a Canadian Exchange Program, and worked with HMAS Melbourne, Newcastle and Creswell, before returning to Albratros at Nowra.
In Melbourne, she was part of the International Forces for East Timor (INTERFET), and in Newcastle, she also participated in RIMPAC and peace negotiations in the Solomon Islands.
In 2001, on completion of her specialist training as a Maritime Geospatial Officer - Meteorology and Oceanography (MGO-M), Commander Finlay developed a passion for aviation forecasting when posted to HMAS Albatross.
She returned to Albatross in 2006 as the officer in charge of the weather.
After a stint in the reserves after starting her family, she returned to the permanent workforce in 2018 and started a research masters in oceanography, exploring the increase in ocean energy induced by tropical cyclones.
A year later, in 2019, Commander Finlay was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday honours list for ‘‘meritorious achievement or devotion to duty in non-warlike situations’’.
Commander Finlay will give the Anzac Day address at the mid-morning service in Deniliquin, and will also be a special guest at other events.
Anzac Day event details are as follows:
6am - Dawn service at Deniliquin cenotaph. Immediately followed by Gunfire Breakfast at Deniliquin RSL Club.
8am - Deniliquin War Cemetery service.
9am - Wanganella service.
11am - Deniliquin cenotaph service, preceded by the Anzac Day march.
12.30pm - Deniliquin Anzac Day Races, at Deniliquin Racecourse.
7pm - 2Up at the Deniliquin RSL Club.
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