Speaking with Anthony Klenthis, it’s clear he considers himself an ordinary man, but his extraordinary contributions to Australia have again been officially recognised.

Commodore Anthony Michael Klenthis has been named in the King’s Birthday honours list as a Member of the Order of Australia for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force in strategic military workforce planning.

His citation notes reveal: “Commodore Klenthis has made an exceptional contribution to the planning, design and transformation of the Australian Defence Force’s workforce over a prolonged period, in a complex, dynamic and strategically challenging environment.

“As Director General Future Navy Workforce and then Director General Workforce Design, he expertly led and brought together disparate teams and established new branches, dedicated to transformation and reform of the military workforce in support of future strategic, capability and technology priorities.”

Commodore Klenthis’ parents, George and Maureen Klenthis, still live in Dubbo and were successful business people across the district as well as in Forbes, the Central Coast and Sydney.

George and Maureen opened The Captain’s Catch with Paul Kempston and also owned or managed Roundabout Lunch, Northside Sandwich Shop and Myall Street Mini Mart.

Commodore Klenthis’ late grandparents Jim, who emigrated from Greece, and Dorothy Klenthis, and Bill and Ethel Murphy also had deep connections within the Dubbo community.

Jim and Dorothy Klenthis moved from Orange to Dubbo in 1962, while Bill Murphy was from Stuart Town and Ethel Murphy from Trangie before calling Dubbo home.

Commodore Klenthis’ sister Nikki Klenthis lives in Dubbo – and Commodore Klenthis maintains a strong connection with Nikki’s son Millan.

Commodore Klenthis grew up in Dubbo, first attending St John’s Primary School.

He was interested in working in defence even from an early age.

The family moved to Forbes, and the Central Coast, where he completed his Higher School Certificate at Christian Brothers Gosford.

He went on to study a Bachelor of Science, achieving honours in psychology at the University of NSW, after which he joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1987 as a navy officer trainee.

Commodore Klenthis is now Australian Defence Force (ADF) Director General Workforce Design, responsible for Army, Navy, Air Force, space and cyber workforce planning.

His first major recognition came in 2019 when he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement in strategic workforce planning for the Royal Australian Navy.

This recent honour is also special. There were 36 award recipients in the military division of the Order of Australia, of which Commodore Klenthis was one.

He told Dubbo Photo News he was humbled by the award, and believed it was the culmination of recognition and commitment of nearly 40 years’ service to the Navy and ADF.

“I was thrilled to be recognised... but also humbled by the fact that any achievement in the ADF is not the result of one person. It’s always a team effort,” he said. “I’ve made sure the people I work with understand that they are part of this award.”

Commodore Klenthis has never forgotten where he came from. He led the Dubbo ANZAC Day March in 2019 and gave a speech at the official ceremony.

Commodore Klenthis travels back to Dubbo from his Canberra base a few times a year. His parents said he has great empathy for all servicemen and servicewomen, and for our veterans.

“We are very, very, proud of him,” Maureen said. “He is an outstanding son.”