Lieutenant Charlotte Flower has become HMAS Warramunga’s newest platform-endorsed officer of the watch, achieving a qualification she has spent about six years working towards.

The milestone occurred during a regional presence deployment while Warramunga and HMAS Toowoomba were operating in close proximity in the Indian Ocean. 

Unbeknown to Lieutenant Flower, her assessment took place as she navigated the ship through an exercise that simulated a persistent and aggressive vessel attempting to force a collision.

During the scenario, the commanding officer and navigator delivered a steady stream of questions to test her knowledge and observe how she applied it under pressure.

Once the exercise concluded, and satisfied she had met the standard, Commanding Officer Warramunga Commander Ken Brown gathered the wardroom and surprised her with the news.

“I am proud to formally acknowledge that you have earned your platform endorsement,” Commander Brown said.

“With this qualification comes the responsibility for the safe keeping of the ship and every member of the ship’s company, day and night, in warfare or peacetime, wherever we may be.

“Your efforts throughout the time I have observed you have been exceptional. You have earned not only my trust, but the trust of your peers.”

'It is all about consolidating and reinforcing the trust that has been placed in me.'

Lieutenant Flower joined Navy through the inaugural Officer Gap Year program before arriving in Warramunga in 2025, where she spent about a year learning the manoeuvrability, engineering systems and evolutions of an Anzac-class frigate. 

She said it felt surreal to no longer be under training.

“Finding the time in between your watches and ancillary tasks can be challenging. You eat, sleep, work and study,” Lieutenant Flower said.

“I’m excited to finally have the time to get to PT.”

Although relieved to be endorsed, Lieutenant Flower said her focus was already shifting to consolidation.

“It is daunting; there is a lot of responsibility,” Lieutenant Flower said.

“Right now, I am focused on proving that I deserve my platform endorsement.

“It is all about consolidating and reinforcing the trust that has been placed in me.”

To follow Warramunga throughout its regional presence deployment, visit the regional presence deployment blog.