Commodore Mike Deeks joins us as Ambassador
We’re delighted to welcome Commodore Mike Deeks CSC RAN (Rtd) as the Foundation’s newest Ambassador.
Mike is already familiar with the Foundation, serving on our Board in the early 2000s, and his love of Wadjemup goes back much further. As a submariner, he passed Rottnest on the way to and from HMAS Stirling many times, and he still remembers the island light blinking “comfortingly” on the way home. On land, he prefers two wheels, exploring the bays and headlands with family and friends (after a stop at the bakery, of course).
Mike’s career spans 32 years in the Royal Australian Navy, where he commanded three submarines and HMAS Success and finished as Head of the Australian Submarine Group. He then held senior roles across the marine and defence industries. From 2018 to 2021 he was Western Australia’s Agent General in London, which gave him strong connections with our London Chapter.
There is also a family link to the island’s history. Mike’s wife Jenny’s grandfather, Lieutenant William Lake RAE, led the army contingent that built the gun battery on Rottnest before WWII, and he lived on the island with his family during that time. It’s a reminder of how many Australian families have a story tied to Wadjemup.
With Mike’s knowledge of the defence and maritime community, we’re especially pleased to have him alongside us as we work with the Rottnest Island Authority on the Bickley Military Precinct Project, including the Coast Defence Museum, which will conserve the island’s significant WWII heritage.
“I am honoured and excited to become a Rottnest Foundation Ambassador. Whilst the Western Australian Agent General based in London, I relied heavily on the iconic beauty and broad natural and historic heritage of Rottnest Island both as an attraction to entice investment in Western Australia, and a centrepiece of the wonderful lifestyle Western Australians enjoy.
I’m looking forward to playing a role in encouraging individuals and businesses to support the preservation, promotion and protection of the many facets of the Rottnest Island ecosystem.”
Welcome aboard, Mike!