Seminar Presentations
The Firepower Seminar Presentation Series is an ongoing four-part Professional Military Education series bringing together military professionals, historians, and strategic thinkers to examine the enduring lessons of warfare, strategy, leadership, and national preparedness. As new presentations are released throughout the series, this page will continue to be updated with seminar recordings, keynote discussions, and PME-focused analysis relevant to modern military and strategic challenges.
Melbourne Seminar Presentations
How do you defend an island nation when 40% of your trade flows through contested waters?
Presenter: Dr. Mark Bailey Panel: Major General Jason Blain, DSC, AM, CSC; Dr Mark Bailey; Dr Peter LaytonEvent: The Road to War: Preparedness and Mobilisation (1936–1941), Melbourne — 19 March 2026 Seminar Overview Australian maritime strategist Dr Mark Bailey...
Strategic Context for Australia’s WW2 mobilisation
Dr Mark Bailey on how a bipartisan 20-year industrial strategy transformed Australia from agricultural exporter to war-ready industrial power and what it means for today's defence posture. Presenter: Dr Mark BaileyPanel: Major General Jason Blain, DSC, AM, CSC; Dr...
Australia’s Road to War – 1936 to 1941 – Dr Peter Layton
Dr Peter Layton on how the Munitions Supply Board, shadow factories, and the self-containment strategy built the industrial base that sustained Australia through total war and why those lessons matter now. Presenter: Dr Peter LaytonPanel: Major General Jason Blain,...
Brisbane Seminar Presentations
Is Australia ready to fight tonight? What can we do to improve readiness and deterrence?
Presenter: General Greg Bilton, former Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS)Event: Firepower: Lessons from World War II seminar series — Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company Seminar Overview General Greg Bilton, former Chief of Joint Operations of the...
The Bombing of Darwin, Japanese Submarines and Australian Air Defence Failures
Presenter: Dr. Tom Lewis OAMPanel: Brigadier Corey Shillabeer (Commander, Fires Brigade); Brigadier Don Roach; industry representative, NIOA; facilitated by LTCOL Nick FloydEvent: Firepower: Lessons from World War II seminar series — Royal Australian Artillery...
Australian Sea Power and Maritime Trade – Lessons from WW2 with Dr Mark Bailey
Presenter: Dr. Mark BaileyPanel: Brigadier Corey Shillabeer (Commander, Fires Brigade); Don Roach; Joel (NIOA)Event: Firepower: Lessons from World War II seminar series — Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company Seminar Overview Naval historian Dr Mark Bailey,...
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Imagery: Defence Image Gallery and the Australian War Memorial