RAEME - QLD

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Welcome

The Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) Association Queensland Inc is a not for profit volunteer organisation, supporting the RAEME National Network by providing leadership to, and a focal point for, all RAEME affiliated Associations in Queensland, by promoting and recognising the corps and its achievements via independent memorial, celebratory, social, fundraising, sporting and other activities.

The goals of the Association are to:

Promote the Corps' identity and reputation in Queensland
Recognise and celebrate achievements of members of the Corps in Queensland
Provide a focal point for Corps activities in Queensland

The role of the RAEME is to ensure maximum operational availability of equipment to enable the commander to win the land battle. RAEME is a technical corps tasked with the maintenance of the Army's modern hardware and equipment. More on the Corps can be found at this link.

This site has been developed as a communication tool for RAEME members in Queensland. All attempts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied. If any errors or broken links are found, or if you have any item or article for inclusion on these pages, please contact the webmaster.

RAQ Subscriptions

Annual subscriptions to the RAQ are due by 30 June each year. Subscriptions can be paid using either PayPal (fee free) or EFT by clicking the Icon below and logging in. Renew your subscription for $10 a year or upgrade to Life Subscription for $100.

New members please use the 'Online Registration' link under the Membership banner.

All proceeds are used to support and promote the goals of the Association.

Meetings and Functions

Are held on the first Wednesday of each month excluding January, the latest information is on the Events page.

Chairman's Awards - Townsville

Above: Top left to right - Brian Robb, Robert 'Tank' Pontifex OAM CSM, Doug Merry and of course Tank with his obligatory selfie all presented Chairman's Awards.

As Chair of the RAQ, one of the most rewarding aspects of my role is recognising our members who have made significant contributions to the success of our organisation. Their dedication and commitment to the RAQ exemplify service that strengthens our Corps community and keeps our association thriving.

It was my great privilege to present three outstanding members with awards at the recent North Queensland gathering in Townsville on 12 October 2024. Congratulations to Brian Robb, Doug Merry, and Robert "Tank" Pontifex for their well-deserved recognition. Their efforts have helped shape the RAQ's achievements, and we are grateful for their continued support and commitment.

All Members who have been recognised with Awards are listed on our Honour Board.

RAQ Darling Downs Function - Sunday 17 Nov 2024 - Toowoomba

BRIG Ross Grant

Above: BRIG Ross Grant AM retired chats with guests at the February function.

Fellow Spanners,

The final RAQ-DD function is just over a month away now, so I thought that I'd put out a reminder so that everyone could put it in their diaries:

Date: 17 Nov 24
Time: 1200h - 1600h
Loc: Ambrose Deck, Toowoomba City Golf Club.

This event will also be our RAEME Birthday function, and we are very fortunate to have Ross and Leonie Grant attending. Ross will be giving a short update on current events in the Corps. To that end, if you know any fellow Spanners who may like to attend, please forward this email on. Partners also, of course. They do not need to be RAQ members - anyone who has served in the Corps is welcome.

For your diaries, dates for 2025 functions are as follows:

9 Feb 25
18 May 25
17 Aug 25
16 Nov 25.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Pete Pile

RAQ-DD Rep

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RAQ NQ gathering - Townsville

Above: L-R - Gayle Walkom, Dale Donovan & Christine Jackson

The RAQ NQ chapter enjoyed a fantastic afternoon at the Townsville RSL on Saturday, 12 October, with around 80 members and friends in attendance. The atmosphere was lively, filled with good mates, good banter, and delicious food, creating the perfect setting for event.

NQ Function 12 Oct 2024 34

Above: L-R CFN Riley Madigan, Mr Richard Todt, CFN Ben Sandercock, WO1 Dwayne Maggenti, CFN Alexander McGregor, SGT Mark Lennox & WO2 Greg Jones

Highlighting the event were the raffles, where Brains Tarrant won the coveted RAEME badge proudly manufactured by Mick McMillan from AEV, much to the delight of the attendees. Ty Bodle won one of the RAEME coins and CFN Riley Madison from 10FSB won the other RAEME coin. Special thanks go to Jeff Maurice, whose generous donation of RAEME coins adding to the raffle. The winner of the bottle of RAEME Rum was Wayne 'Stumpy' Cuppitt The coveted $100 lucky member draw went to none other than Robert 'Tank' Pontifex!

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Above: L-R Dave Young, Darren Campi, Ian Joyce, Ian Moorhouse, Dan Halliday & Josh Jones

A big thank you to the RSL staff for their outstanding service, ensuring that the event ran smoothly and was enjoyable for all. We look forward to our next gathering sometime in December to see off year and the continued growth of our network in the region.

All the pictures of the day are in the photo gallery.

News from around 7th Brigade

Above: RAEME keeping equipment maintained and operational on Exercise Diamond Run.

From August 10-20, more than 1500 personnel converged on Rockhampton and the expansive Shoalwater Bay Training Area for the 7th Brigade’s culminating warfighting exercise, Diamond Run. Approximately 500 soldiers from the 17th Sustainment Brigade operated logistics hubs within Rockhampton, while another 1000 troops faced the dual challenges of enemy forces and torrential rain, which created difficult conditions across the training area’s rugged terrain. The exercise aims to ensure the Army's 'ready brigade' can respond effectively to various operational contingencies in defence of Australia and its regional interests.

RAEME Oct 2024

Above: Torrential rain + hundreds of 7CSSB trucks training in the bush = plenty of big muddy recovery efforts by RAEME.

Images and information courtesy of Defence

Exercise HARI'I HAMUTUK 2024 - Timor-Leste

Above: Soldiers from the Timor-Leste Defence Force practice welding under supervision from Engineers from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment during Exercise HARI'I HAMUTUK 2024, in Metinaro Military Base, Timor-Leste.

ADF members worked closely with the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) during a series of Defence Cooperation Program training exercises in 2024. The series of annual partnered training activities between the Australian Army and the F-FDTL aimed to enhance military skills, capability, and interoperability. ADF contingents, primarily from the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade, have travelled to Timor-Leste throughout the year to help create and deliver training courses on a range of military and trade skills as well as to participate in bilateral exercises. The work of Australian Army military training teams, continues to strengthen the ADF and F-FDTL partnership and enhance the longstanding relationship between our two countries.

Image and information courtesy of Defence

Exercise Southern Tiger 2024 - Cultana SA

Vehicle Recovery Cultana Sep 2024 2

Above: A vehicle recovery is conducted at Cultana Training Area during Exercise Southern Tiger 2024

Soldiers from 10th / 27th Battalion, The Royal South Australia Regiment, have led a bilateral activity with Malaysian soldiers in South Australia as a part of Exercise Southern Tiger 2024. Soldiers from the Australian Army and Malaysian Army joined to train together in the field at Cultana Training Area, Murray Bridge Training Area and Edinburgh Defence Precinct for the month of September, to practice their combined arms skills in both blank and live-fire activities. The month long bi-lateral exercise aimed to focus on combined arms skills and security operations at a platoon to company level. The 10th/27th Battalion, the Royal South Australia Regiment, supported by bother 9th Brigade units, as well as a medical elements from 3rd Health Battalion, participated in Exercise Southern Tiger 2024.

Image and information courtesy of Defence

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Women in RAEME hosts - Bring your daughter work day - Brisbane

Above: CFN Amber Toner (L) and CFN Cameron Powel from 1 AVN REGT assist Emily and Oliver Taaffe in holding a 70mm rocket from the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger during Exercise Pitch Black 2022 Open Day at RAAF Base Darwin.

We are excited to invite all serving members, veterans, and guests interested in the RAEME Corps to our upcoming FREE EVENT! This is a perfect opportunity to network, learn, and experience firsthand what the Corps has to offer. We encourage you to invite any women in your life—whether it's your daughter, niece, granddaughter, cousin, or sister—to come along and explore the Corps as well!

Event Highlights:

Exclusive visit to Gallipoli Barracks
A prominent guest speaker sharing insights about the Corps
Interactive Q&A session
RAEME merchandise available for purchase
Exciting lucky door prizes for attendees

As the event will take place on an operational military base, registration is compulsory, and specific entry restrictions apply. Please see the details below for registration and access.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, 29 November 2024
Time: 0630hrs for 0700hrs - 0900hrs
Location: 7CSSB - Gallipoli Barracks, Jackson Road, Enoggera
Catering: Tea/Coffee & Light Breakfast
Dress: Dress of the day / Business Casual

Registration & Access:

All Public Attendees:
If you do not hold a Defence Common Access Card (DCAC), you must register and will be escorted onto the base.
Serving Members and DCAC Holders:
Serving members and others with a Defence Common Access Card, please register here and include the details of all attendees.
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All attendees are asked to arrive at the security gate at the Lloyd Street entry to Gallipoli Barracks no later than 0630hrs on the day. Don’t forget to bring valid photo ID!

We look forward to welcoming you to this fantastic opportunity for professional development and networking within the RAEME Corps.

Cross fit games - USA and Brisbane

Above: Corporal Chloe Hunt poses with her Electrical and Electronics Systems Wing Physical Training team to wish Sergeant Sheree Willcox (above right) well at the CrossFit Games, Bandiana North Barracks 29 August 2024.

Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC) Personal Training Instructor, SGT Sheree Willcox has returned from the CrossFit Games with 16th place, earning her the title of 16th Fittest on Earth. SGT Willcox competed in the Masters 35-39 female division from 29 August to 1 September in Birmingham, Alabama, and made the final cut of top 20 to send her to the finals on 1 September. Whilst she was very satisfied with her performance, SGT Willcox already has her sights set firmly on next year’s CrossFit Games. With several competitions and qualifiers between now and then, SGT Willcox is already back and training for what she hopes will be her best year yet.

CPL Jason Moore

Above L-R. SGT Elona Stewart and CPL Jason Moore at the inaugural Tri-Service CrossFit competition held in Brisbane early October 2024.

The Army claimed victory in the inaugural Tri-Service CrossFit competition held in early October in Brisbane, finishing with 72 points, followed by the Air Force with 60 points and the Navy with 46 points. Each service fielded two teams of up to eight competitors, participating in a round-robin format with workouts lasting no more than 10 minutes, featuring various CrossFit movements like muscle-ups and Olympic lifting. The event, supported by ADF Sports, followed earlier training camps to prepare personnel for this intense competition.

Images and information courtesy of Defence

We need your help - RAEME Craftsman magazine articles required

Well, it’s that time of year again where I’m putting the call out for articles for the 2024 RAEME Craftsman.

If you would like to submit something for publication, the articles need to be Word Docs (preferably without formatting such as double columns, links to footnotes, etc); as these complicate the compilation of the final magazine. The docs can have photos in them, but I also need the photos supplied separately and labelled as they are to appear the document e.g. Pic 1 – team Army etc.

The deadline for articles will be NLT 14 Dec 24 to allow for the RAEME Birthday articles and photos. Although, I would really appreciate it if we could get articles before that, so I can start working through them. Articles can be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Regards

WO1 David Clarke

RAEME HOC Cell

Latchford Barracks