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Nickolas Skow was born in Yorkshire, United Kingdom, he immigrated to Australia in 1966 with his parents, Margaret and Eddie Skow. Nickolas is the second eldest of four siblings.
Nickolas was raised in Wollongong, NSW. At age 15 he enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy as a Junior Recruit, HMAS Leeuwin. Graduated in 1977 with honours.
Posting to HMAS Cerberus 1978, Nickolas commenced his Military Training as a Marine Engineer. Seaman Marine Technical Propulsion (SMNMTP) Nickolas Skow completed his Marine Technical Training at the Naval Apprentice Training Establishment, HMAS Nirimba in 1989, reaching the Navy Rank of Petty Officer Marine Technical Propulsion (POMTP).
Nickolas has undertaken postings to the following unit’s / ships; HMAS Stirling, Cairns, Kuttabul, Albatross, Creswell, HMA Ships Stuart, Derwent, Stalwart, Manoora, Adelaide and Canberra.
Nickolas’s qualifications include but not limited to; Fitter and Machining Trade Certificate, Diploma Marine Engineering, Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment, Alcohol and Drugs and Associate Degree in Policing, Charles Sturt University.
Nickolas joined the NSW Police Force in 2006. After graduating from the Goulburn Police Academy, he served at several locations including; Sutherland, Cronulla, Nowra and Kandos.
Upon leaving the NSW Police Force in 2014, Nickolas re-joined the Royal Australian Navy and served at HMAS Creswell until his retirement, February 2023.
Nickolas is in receipt of the following Honours and Awards: Australia Day Medallion 2023, Australian National Medal, Australian Defence Medal, Defence Commendation Bronze Level 1, Defence Commendation TAMW. He was appointed as a Justice of the Peace (NSW) in 1986 and remains current.
A keen sportsman who enjoys Bicycle riding, Kayaking, Swimming and Tennis. Hobbies include; Military History, Gardening and Travel.
Nickolas is married to Carol, his wife of 20 years. Together they have five children, David, Adam, Laura, Lisa and Tina.
Early Life
I was born in Gosford, NSW. As a babe in arms, my family relocated to Alice Springs, where my parents were working for the Australian Inland Mission. After a few years, we returned to our family home in Bateau Bay.
Education
My education journey took me through schools in Alice Springs, The Entrance, and eventually Gosford High School. Upon finishing high school, I embarked on a career in the Navy.
Navy Career
At 15 years and 6 months old, I joined the Navy as a Junior Recruit at HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle. This was a challenging period in my life, with only one trip home to see my family. My Navy career primarily unfolded on the east coast. One of my early postings was to HMAS Curlew, a Ton Class minesweeper, which I found to be a fabulous job, followed by three rather miserable postings. Then, an incredible opportunity arose—I was invited to join the submarines.
I spent 18 months in the UK training and working on “O” Class submarines. Over the next 12 years, I served on most of our submarines before deciding to retire after 20 years of service.
Post-Navy Career
My family and I moved to Nowra, where we built our home. I took on a couple of jobs before becoming a Train Driver in Bomaderry. After a decade, I was transferred back to Sydney. Fifteen years into my train driving career, I became a Train Driver Trainer. After 20 years in the railway industry, I decided to retire.
Later Life
Returning to Nowra, I built another house. With some inherited money, we moved to Huskisson, where we bought an older house and renovated it. Here, we have settled down and continue to enjoy our life.
Helen served as a Nursing Officer in the Royal Australian Navy from January 1979 until her retirement in February 2020 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. She served in the permanent and reserve Navy.
As part of her civilian career, she spent ten years with the Australian Red Cross Blood service as an Area Manager and Quality Manager for NSW Donor services.
Helen has been a member of the Huskisson RSL sub-Branch since 2014 and has served as the Publicity Officer until becoming the Secretary in February 2021.
Peta is a local Aboriginal woman who was born and raised in Nowra, her mob is the Walbunja tribe part of Yuin Nations. She has strong family connections up and down the south coast of NSW.
Peta comes from a defence family background where her grandfather served in World War II and her father in the Royal Australian Navy where he undertook postings to the following unit’s / ships, HMAS Supply, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Stewart and HMAS Yarra. Kuttabul, Russell Manus Island and Albatross. Upon retirement he was a chief Petty Officer.
Peta has had the opportunity to move around whilst her father was in the Navy and end up finishing her schooling at Jervis Bay Primary and then being one of the first years at Shoalhaven High before going onto higher Education.
Peta background is working in various fields such as the education, disability and health care industry at senior levels. Here Peta is able to provide options that will benefit and change people’s lives. Developing and delivering quality services and programs.
Hayley comes from a defence family background. Hayley’s father served in the Navy as an Air Frames and Engine Mechanic (ATA) before changing over to a Personal Training Instructor (PTI). After leaving the Navy, successfully ran a business for over 21 years that consisted of defence contracts.
Hayley’s family history is linked to Navy, Army and Air Force, serving in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
Hayley has two brothers ,who also served in the Royal Australian Navy and an Uncle who served in the Army.
Throughout her childhood, Hayley moved frequently due to her father’s postings to various naval bases, including HMAS Albatross, HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Perth, HMAS Penguin, HMAS Nirimba and eventually settled back at HMAS Albatross. She attended Bomaderry Primary School for year 4 then moving to Vincentia Primary School for Years 5 and 6 before continuing her education at Vincentia High School.
In her professional life, Hayley has accumulated a wealth of experience across several fields, including retail, hospitality, event management, marketing, disability services, community services, employment services, and defence contracts. Her diverse background has equipped her with a wide range of skills and knowledge.
Hayley is an active member of the Shoalhaven Business Community and has held multiple roles on the Shoalhaven Business Chamber for over 10 years, demonstrating her dedication and leadership within the local business community.
Born in 1948 in the small town of Audenshaw, just outside Manchester, England, I migrated to Australia with my family in 1958 to seek better opportunities. We embarked on the maiden voyage of the T/V Fair Sky, arriving in Melbourne after a month at sea. In 1964, I joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as an Apprentice Fitter and Turner, beginning a 20-year career that would take me across the globe.
During my time in the Navy, I served on several notable ships, including HMAS ANZAC, HMAS Vampire, and HMAS Melbourne, where I was involved in operations during the Vietnam War and various other missions. My career in the Navy saw me progress through the ranks, ultimately achieving the position of Warrant Officer. I gained extensive experience in marine engineering and earned a Diploma in Naval Engineering, along with internationally recognised civilian qualifications. My roles included overseeing propulsion systems, aviation fuel systems, and other critical operations on some of Australia’s most formidable warships.
After leaving the Navy in 1984, I transitioned to civilian life, taking on leadership roles in various industries. I served as Quality Assurance and Control Manager at the State Dockyard in Newcastle, where I was responsible for managing nearly 2,000 workers. Later, I became the Engineering Manager at NANNA’s Pies in Gosford and held senior positions at PGH Bricks and Primo Smallgoods, where I managed significant construction projects.
In 1990, I returned to the RAN for a two-year period during the Gulf War, serving on HMAS Westralia and later overseeing logistics for Australian warships in the Red Sea. Following my final discharge, I continued my career in engineering management, taking on roles with Country Bake Breads and Defiance Milling, among others.
I retired in 2007 and now enjoy life at St Georges Basin, reflecting on a diverse and fulfilling career that spanned both military and civilian sectors.
Lillian Dalton is the Coordinator/President of the Huskisson RSL sub-Branch Auxiliary.
Lillian joined the Auxiliary in June 1975, initially taking up the position of Treasure then becoming Vice President for many years.
In February, 2000, Lillian was elected to the role of President of the Auxiliary and has held this position continuously for twenty-four years. In recognition of her ongoing work Lillian was honoured to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Huskisson sub-Branch, RSL of Australia on 5th March, 1993. She also received an Order of Merit gold badge in October 2002, and was made a Life Member of the RSL Women’s Auxiliary Movement in November, 2006.
While Lillian has served with many other charities over the years, she always felt a strong affinity with the sub-Branch cause and it would come to light many years later that her grandfather served and fell at Gallipoli in the Battle of Lone Pine. Her father also served in WW2 and her husband was a National Serviceman.
While Lillian’s work raising funds for the veteran community has been her driving force over the past forty-nine years that she has been a member of the Huskisson RSL sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary, the wonderful friendships she has made over those years have given her the greatest joy. With the support of her co-Coordinator Mary Bateman, and the other wonderful members of the Auxiliary, she plans to remain an active member of the Huskisson RSL sub-Branch Auxiliary in the years to come.
