Captain Bairstow's honour was given for exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in the field of command and leadership, particularly for his "commitment to improving capability and culture".

He said as Commanding Officer of a training base all those ideas come into sharp focus.

"Our new entry officer course arrived tonight and will be the largest entry of new entry officers in the history of the navy," he said.

"It is more than enough motivation to do your utmost best."

Captain Bairstow was very honoured and proud of his award.

"Things like that really to make all your efforts worthwhile but I felt very warm inside," he said.

"It was very unexpected so it caught me completely off guard."

He took up the role of Commanding Officer at HMAS Creswell on January 19 and was first posted to Creswell when he joined the navy on January 19, 1981.

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He said it was "inspiring" coming back to HMAS Creswell after a long period away.

"You don't really appreciate the meaning of this place until you come back," he said.

"And then you see new entry officers joining like you did many years ago and it's inspirational, it makes you realise what a special places it is.

"It takes you back to your roots, where you started.

"It made me look back at my time and feel very grateful for all the things that I've done."

Captain Bairstow's career in the navy has been extensive and full of achievements, it's hard to find one highlight.

"This role as commanding oficer of HMAS Cresweell stands out as it's here where I am now," he said.

He's also commanded patrol boats, a frigate and had a task group command at sea.

"My previous job before this was mine warfare, hydrographic oceanographic and patrol forces in fleet headquarters - that was a very busy role, but a very important role.

"And before that I was the naval adviser in London which was a role that changes your life."