Ray Griggs | |
---|---|
Secretary of the Department of Social Services | |
Assumed office 22 July 2021 | |
Preceded by | Kathryn Campbell |
Personal details | |
Born | July 1961 (age 62–63) Homebush, New South Wales |
Nationality | Australian |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch/service | Royal Australian Navy Reserve |
Years of service | 1978–Present |
Rank | Vice admiral |
Commands | Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2014–18) Chief of Navy (2011–14) Australian Amphibious Task Group (2005–06) HMAS Arunta (2001–03) |
Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
Awards | Officer of the Order of Australia Conspicuous Service Cross Commendation for Distinguished Service |
Vice Admiral Raymond James Griggs, AO, CSC (born July 1961) is an Australian senior public servant and a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve. He served as Chief of Navy from June 2011 to June 2014,[1] before being appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force until his transfer to the reserve in July 2018.[2]
Following his transfer to the reserves, Griggs held the appointment of the Associate Secretary of the Indigenous Affairs Group within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and was the inaugural CEO of the National Indigenous Australians Agency. He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Social Services on 22 July 2021.[3]
Griggs was born in Homebush, New South Wales, in July 1961 to James and Maureen Griggs.[4][5]
Following his transfer to the reserves, Griggs held the appointment of the Associate Secretary of the Indigenous Affairs Group within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and was the inaugural CEO of the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
On 9 July 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Griggs' appointment as Secretary of the Department of Social Services, with effect from 22 July 2021.[3]
Griggs is an honorary patron of the ACT Veterans Rugby Club.[citation needed]
On 15 January 2020, it was announced that Griggs would be one of the members of the National Co-design Group of the Indigenous voice to government.[7]
Griggs is married to Chloe and has a son and a daughter.[4]
Griggs was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1997,[8] a Commendation for Distinguished Service in 2003 for his work in the Persian Gulf,[9] and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.[10]
Griggs was elevated to an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours list, "For distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force as Deputy Head Strategic Reform and Governance, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations, and Chief of the Royal Australian Navy."[11]
Ribbon | Description | Notes |
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) | June 2012[11] | |
Member of the Order of Australia (AM) | 2009 [10] | |
Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) | 1997 [8] | |
Commendation for Distinguished Service | 2003 [9] | |
Australian Active Service Medal | [12] | |
Afghanistan Medal | [12] | |
Australian Service Medal | [12] | |
Operational Service Medal for Border Protection | ||
Defence Force Service Medal with federation star | (40+ Years Service)[12] | |
Australian Defence Medal | [12] | |
Navy Meritorious Service Star (Indonesia) | 19 November 2012[13] | |
Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) | May 2013[14] | |
Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) | 25 March 2014 | |
Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) | 15 May 2014[15] | |
Military Civic Action Medal (Philippines) | [12] | |
Grand Cross with White Decoration of the Order of Naval Merit (Spain) | October 2014[16] |
Griggs has also been awarded the RAN's "Principal Warfare Officer" badge and the RAN's "Sea Readiness Badge" with Gold Star.