On September 1, Emergency Management Australia, a division of the federal Attorney-General's Department will welcome its new Director-General, Commodore Campbell Darby DSC AM.
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Campbell Darby was raised on a wheat and cattle farm near Quirindi in Northern NSW and joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1973. He undertook a variety of junior sea postings including time in New Guinea, in the UK for warfare officer training and in Royal Navy sea exchanges, and seagoing warfare jobs in HMA Ships.
Sea Commands have included the Patrol Boat HMAS IPSWICH, the Frigate HMAS SYDNEY and the Guided Missile Destroyer, HMAS BRISBANE. Senior staff positions have included the Director responsible for all junior officers’ career management, Commander Sea Training responsible for operational standards at sea, and as a Captain in Maritime Headquarters responsible for all the RAN’s fleet and aviation activities.
During 2002 he attended the Defence and Strategic Studies Course and was promoted to Commodore and appointed as Commandant of the Australian Command and Staff College on completion. From November 2003 until June 2004 he commanded all Australian Forces in the Middle East area of operations from his Headquarters based in Baghdad. He was Commander Northern Command, and Deputy Commander, Border Protection Command before transferring to the Naval Reserves in 2007.
Upon leaving the Navy he retired briefly before taking up a position as Executive Director, Security and Government Services, in the Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister in July 2007. In this position he was responsible for managing security and emergency management strategic policy and coordination, management of emergency recovery as the Territory Recovery Coordinator, as well as managing the Protocol and Government House business units. He was also the Director of the NT Major Events Company.
He was invested as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001, and in 2005 honoured with the award of a Distinguished Service Cross for his service in Iraq.
Campbell Darby is married and he and his wife Shani have two adult daughters. They currently reside in Darwin where they enjoy sailing and outdoor pursuits in general. He enjoys current affairs, reading and has a strong interest in all sporting activities particularly rugby, tennis and golf.