She was among a group of six Defence Reserves Support Council guests who were supposed to have a half-day sail aboard the Young Endeavour in Sydney Harbour, that was until the ship had an engine failure.

But, strings were pulled and just a few minutes later the group was met by Commanding Officer Captain John Stavridis for a two-hour tour of the Royal Australian Navy’s newest ship.

The $1.8 billion guided missile destroyer was only commissioned in September, 2017 and Bathurst Business Chamber’s Mrs Whittaker was among the first civilians to receive a tour.

Hobart’s combat system, includes radar and missile systems capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres.