Damon Craig, JP, LCDR RAN(ret), MIEAust, CPEng(ret), MIMarEST, CMarEng(ret), CEng(ret), BE(Comms) Hons, Dip Perf A, IB, GCSE, OMS, OIOM, Esq, etc.

Damon Craig is both a qualified Engineer and accomplished Artist. His qualifications have come from the Department of Defence, the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and RMIT University.

Damon Graduated high school from the United World College of South East Asia in the middle of 1993. He was on the school council for 5 of his 6 years at the college that culminated in him being voted as chair of the group for his final year. This is equivalent in most terms to school Captain although a single role supported by a deputy. He also was selected to represent the Singapore based college at the 1992 International Seminar on youth and development in Canada. One achievement was bringing an African ‘gumboot dance’ back to UWCSEA and having it taught to the entire college in a single event. He graduated from the college with an international Baccalaureate and awards for drama and Community Service. He also in his penultimate years of school was awarded the Mark Ironside award for academic Achievement. He was awarded both bronze and silver awards in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award whilst at the college and some years later achieved his gold award.

His first journey to university took him to Perth Western Australia to study Performing Arts from 1994-1996. whilst his study was disrupted with the death of his father, he graduated with a Diploma or Production and Design – Sound in 1996. Whilst at the college he was selected to represent at the Australasian Theatre Conference at the Toi Whakaari Drama School in Wellington New Zealand. As part of the conference he was welcomed to the Orongomai Marae; an honour he takes very seriously and remains in contact with the Marae and has visited again with his family. Kaitiakitanga or the concept of a deep kinship between humans and the natural world is paramount.

Damon worked for the ABC Radio and Film departments in Perth for some months after graduation. He was also continuing work in the entertainment industry as a local crewman.

In 1997 Damon enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy as an Electronics Technician. He was awarded both leading trainee and dux of the intake for technical training. He was the Drum Major of the HMAS Cerberus Volunteer Drum Corps. He served for some time in Sydney in the IT section of Navy before being selected for Commissioned rank and returning to Melbourne for Engineering studies for 2000-2003. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (communications) with First Class Honours. He also went on to win the Kernot medal and the J.N.McNicol Prize as the top student in the Engineering Faculty and the University Graduation class respectively. During his time at the university, he worked on the inaugural Graduation events at the Docklands Stadium and was quickly identified as a skilled and dedicated event manager.

His Military career included Operational Deployments in HMAS Darwin and HMAS Tobruk with the later gaining him a Fleet Commanders Commendation for his service. He also was awarded an Australia Day Medallion for his work in HMAS Cerberus in Military training. He was awarded his Weapons Electrical Charge Qualification whilst serving in HMAS Sydney and took up a posting in HMAS Newcastle as the Head of the Weapons Electrical Department. This was also the time that he was awarded chartered stars both from Engineers Australia and the Engineering Board in the UK. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Project Management and Government Management.

He also served in HMAS Cerberus as the 2011 Open Day co-ordinator, Staff Officer New Generation Navy and Staff Officer Skills Development Centre. At the beginning of 2012, Damon was selected as the Guard Commander for the Royal Guard associated with the Award of the Governor’s Cup. His first major role as a Lieutenant Commander was within the Defence Material Organisation and later CASG as the Project Manager for the AMPS software project. Just prior to discharge he worked in the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) in the Future Frigate team and a short role with the Air Warfare Destroyer project.

Damon was honourably discharged for medical reasons (information available on request) in May 2017 just prior to his 20 years of service. As part of his recovery from long term and enduring medical constraints he completed the ADF Arts for recovery program run jointly with the University of Canberra in 2015. Damon has exhibited art works both at Chutespace and  M16 Gallery in Manuka.

Damon remains an Ambassador for White Ribbon Australia and  hold a Victorian Justice of the Peace appointment. He was one of a four member team in 2013 as the Australian Restricted Ten Pin Bowling All Star Team. He remains a committed member of the Richmond Football Club and continues to support (or volunteer at) a number of charities such as Guide Dogs Victoria and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. Damon has represented the RSL in both Winter Snow Sports in Canada in 2018 and also in the team for the National Wheelchair Football series in both 2018 and the 2019 Bronze medal team. He played for Essendon VWFL team in 2018 before moving to a management role for the 2019 series; culminating in receiving the AFL Values Award. Damon also competed in the inaugural World Archery Masters Championships in Geneva in 2018 where he placed in the top ten for Field Archery. He also won the Powered by Invictus Archery League in 2021 competing from Melbourne against a global pool.

During the Global Health Pandemic of 2020 he completed a number of visual art and writing projects, a distance course with Yale University, a short course with AFTRS and obtained a non professional doctorate.

Damon was granted a coat of arms by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms in Scotland in 2014 and this serves to both acknowledged and celebrate his family lineage to the United Kingdom. He is a Life Member of the  Shrine of Remembrance – Victoria’s national war memorial.

Damon is a proud Australian and Global Citizen and identifies with the Eagle and Turtle, the river Clyde and Mountains of Canobolas and Vancouver. Damon strives to be a Sonic Crusader, Philosopher and Polymath. Damon has a young family and lives now in the Mornington Peninsula and acknowledges the Boonwurrung people as the traditional custodians of this land. He has completed tertiary study in traditional history and culture of Australia.