The Geddes Gavel Award is a prestigious honour presented at the Australian Defence College to the top student of the Defence Strategic and Studies Course (DSSC). It recognises exceptional strategic insight and a deep understanding of the complex factors that shape security and regional relationships in the Indo‑Pacific and beyond.
What the award recognises
The Geddes Gavel Award is given to the student who demonstrates the highest level of understanding of regional dynamics and strategic decision‑making during the DSSC. Assessment focuses on how well an officer integrates political, diplomatic, military, cultural and economic perspectives when analysing security challenges and proposing solutions.
By rewarding broad, interdisciplinary thinking rather than narrow military expertise alone, the award underlines the importance of “whole‑of‑government” and “whole‑of‑region” perspectives in modern defence strategy. It also signals the Australian Defence College’s emphasis on intellectual rigour, regional awareness and informed strategic judgement in professional military education.
The Defence Strategic and Studies Course
The Defence Strategic and Studies Course is a senior‑level programme at the Australian Defence College that brings together military officers and officials from Australia and partner countries. The course focuses on strategy, regional security, defence policy and international relations, with special attention to the Indo‑Pacific.
Participants are typically mid‑ to senior‑career officers being groomed for higher command and staff appointments, making performance on this course a strong indicator of future leadership potential. Through seminars, research papers and strategic exercises, the course tests an officer’s ability to interpret complex environments and advise national decision‑makers.
Criteria and significance
To earn the Geddes Gavel Award, an officer must consistently excel in coursework, written assessments and discussions throughout the DSSC. In particular, faculty look for clarity of thought, originality in strategic analysis and the ability to link regional developments to national and allied interests.
Winning the award is considered one of the highest academic distinctions available at the Australian Defence College.
For international officers, it also reflects positively on their home country’s professional military education system and its contribution to regional security dialogue.
Recent Indian achievement
In 2025, Colonel Prateek Roy of the Indian Army received the Geddes Gavel Award (also referred to as the Commander Australian Defence College Award) after completing the Defence Strategic and Studies Course. Reports note that he stood out among a diverse international cohort by demonstrating superior understanding of regional relationships and strategic issues across political, diplomatic, military, cultural and economic domains.
Indian and Australian officials highlighted this achievement as a matter of national pride for India and as a symbol of the growing depth in India–Australia defence cooperation. The recognition also showcases the calibre of Indian officers participating in international professional military education and their role in shaping shared perspectives on Indo‑Pacific security.
Broader impact on defence ties
Awards like the Geddes Gavel strengthen professional networks among officers who will later hold senior positions in their respective armed forces and defence ministries. These personal and intellectual connections help improve interoperability, trust and strategic alignment between partner nations, especially in regions facing complex security challenges.
For India and Australia, such recognitions complement formal defence agreements, joint exercises and strategic dialogues under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. As both countries seek a free, open, secure and prosperous Indo‑Pacific, the development of shared strategic thinking through institutions like the Australian Defence College becomes increasingly important.
