Frank’s military career included eight years regimental experience, all of them in 4 Field regiment as part of the Rapid Deployment Force in Townsville. He worked in 107, 108 and HQ Batteries, culminating as BC 107 Field Battery in 1989-90. He also had three postings to the School of Artillery, and was appointed Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor of the School in 1997.   Frank was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross on the Australia Day 2000 Honours List for his service in this appointment.

Frank was promoted Colonel on 1 November 1999 and took up the appointment of Director Joint Plans at Headquarters Strategic Command (later Strategic Operations Division). On 31 July 2002, he was awarded a Chief of the Defence Force Commendation for his work in this appointment. Subsequently, in November 2003, Frank was made a Member (in the Military Division) of the Order of Australia for his work in developing strategic options for Australia’s contribution to offensive operations in Iraq.

Frank’s last military appointment was as the Defence Attaché in the Australian Embassy, Baghdad from May to November 2003 where he supported the returning Australian Embassy in Iraq and contributed to the setting up of training of the new Iraqi Army.

On transferring to the Australian Public Service, Frank assumed the appointment of Director U.S. Section in International Policy Division, where he was responsible for the development of alliance policy. He subsequently acted as the Director General Support to Military Operations in the Defence Signals Directorate, before being promoted to the Senior Executive Service and assuming the appointment of Assistant Secretary Concepts, Capability and Resources for the Intelligence, Security and International Policy Group on 31 January 2005. Frank moved to the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation as the Assistant Secretary Defence Geospatial-Intelligence on 5 December 2007 and was subsequently transferred to Defence Security Authority acting as the Chief Security Officer in January 2012, before being promoted into the role on 5 July 2012.

Mr Colley is a graduate of the Canadian Armed Forces Gunnery Staff Course and the British Army Command and General Staff Course. He holds a Masters in Public Administration (with Distinction) and a Bachelor of Social Sciences, with majors in Human Resource Development and Work and Organisational Studies. In his spare time he enjoys golf and tennis, and spending time with his family.

Mr Colley’s wife, Janice, is a Special Needs and Speech and Drama teacher with associate diplomas from the Australian College of Music, the Australian Music Examinations Board and the Trinity College of London.   They have two children, Jennifer (1987) and John (1992).