Commander Rose Apikotoa became the first Australian of Tongan heritage to be promoted to the rank of captain at a ceremony held in Canberra on January 29. 

Having served most recently as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Moreton, she will soon start a new role in Canberra as Chief of Staff to the Head of Military Personnel in Defence People Group.

Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley presented Captain Apikotoa with her new rank slide, recounting her distinguished career and leadership roles.

“Rose is not only one of our great leaders, she is one of our great female leaders and undoubtedly one of the real leaders for quite a significant number of people in our Navy from all parts of the Pacific family," Rear Admiral Buckley said.

“Her professional and personal contributions, both in and outside of Navy, support and vindicate Rose’s remarkable career success.”

The promotion ceremony, attended by her family, colleagues and Tonga’s Acting High Commissioner to Australia, Curtis Tu'ihalangingie, was a proud moment for her and her community.

“I am humbled by the support being provided to my promotion by the presence of the Acting High Commissioner of Tonga. Whilst I was born and bred in Australia, my ancestral home of Tonga will always have a special place in my heart,” Captain Apikotoa said.

'It’s time to mentor ADF members of Pacific Islander heritage.'

Captain Apikotoa’s career has included maritime warfare experience on HMA Ships Yarra, Gascoyne, Sydney, Newcastle and Parramatta. Her shore roles have included Deputy Fleet Operations officer, aide-de-camp to the Chief of Defence Force, Deputy Director Navy Intelligence Capability, and Commanding Officer of HMAS Moreton.

The occasion featured prayers and blessings from Tongan-born Navy Chaplain Simote Finau and traditional dances from a local Tongan performance group.

The daughter of Tongan migrants, Captain Apikotoa gave special thanks to her family in her speech to those in attendance.

“Growing up in a Tongan household gave me the morals and collective culture that have contributed to my own leadership style and the values that I live by,” she said.

“My parents worked hard and made great sacrifices for myself and my siblings.”

For her part, Captain Apikotoa has been active in supporting others. She mentors ADF women’s rugby union players both on and off the field. The Royal Australian Navy Rugby Union women’s most valuable player trophy is named in her honour. 

Outside Navy, Captain Apikotoa contributes to Pacific Islander youth development through initiatives hosted by Western Sydney University and Griffith University. She is frequently invited to speak to high schoolers to promote Defence as an employment option.

“It’s time to mentor ADF members of Pacific Islander heritage,” she said.

“Their connections in the Pacific will be important as we are called on to do more in the region, with the ever-present threat of natural disasters and growing geostrategic uncertainty.”