When Commander Barbara Woodruff enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in September 1984, Advance Australia Fair had just become the official national anthem, the first Apple Macintosh had recently arrived in stores and the fourth of the Adelaide-class frigates was about to enter service.

Fast-forward more than 40 years and Commander Woodruff has been recognised with one of Defence’s highest honours – the Federation Star – for a career that has helped shape the modern Navy workforce.

Commander Woodruff’s service began with early postings to HMA Ships Creswell, Watson and Kuttabul and the Naval Support Command, laying the foundations for what would become a distinguished career across personnel management, organisational culture and senior executive leadership.

The former Orara High School student from the mid-north coast of NSW was working as a waitress in the iconic Windmill Building in her hometown of Coffs Harbour ahead of her enlistment, and said she never expected her career to last so long. 

“I always intended to do 20 years, just not twice,” Commander Woodruff said. 

“Life intervened and I've had many highlights along the way.”

Across four decades, she has held a wide range of influential shore-based appointments, including Staff Officer to the Chief of Logistics, Staff Officer to Support Command, Fleet Manpower and Training Officer at Maritime Headquarters and Defence Corporate Support Manager at ADF Headquarters. 

'I always intended to do 20 years, just not twice.'

Her personal highlights are a three-year posting to the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC, as well as her current role as Deputy Director Navy Workforce Policy within the Directorate of Navy Employment Category Transformation and Reform, “because the team is absolutely amazing”.

From a professional angle, she nominates consecutive postings to Fleet Headquarters as the Fleet Executive Issues Manager, and then to the newly set up Defence Response Unit (DRU) in ADF Headquarters as highlights.

“Both postings allowed me to have a positive impact on improving people’s lives, especially at the DRU and as a Defence representative in the restorative engagement process,” Commander Woodruff said. 

Meanwhile, her leadership in developing and implementing the Navy Mastery System has previously earned her a gold Chief of Navy Commendation, complementing a long list of honours that includes the Conspicuous Service Cross, multiple Defence Group Commendations, the Australian Defence Medal and the Defence Long Service Medal with five clasps.

Commander Woodruff plans to retire from Navy in May next year, but still has important work ahead. 

“I’ll be able to be Nanna to three grandchildren – one in Sydney and two in Reston, Virginia – [and] continue rehearsing and singing with the Australian Military Wives Choir, and working really hard at learning to sleep in past 0630,” she said.