RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon 2020
You are invited to attend the RAEME Association – Queensland (RAQ), Sunshine Coast Chapter, Annual Luncheon to be held at the Maroochy RSL on Saturday 12 September 2020. The invitation is extended to all current and past members of RAEME, and friends of RAEME, who live on the Sunshine Coast/Wide Bay area, or the surrounding region, including Brisbane. Visitors to the area at the time are also welcome.
As previous attendees will be aware, the prime purpose of the gathering is to provide an opportunity for those of us who live in the wonderful Sunshine Coast region to renew old friendships and meet newly retired ‘Bluebells’ who may have moved to SE QLD. The luncheon this year is of particular importance as it will provide most, if not all attendees the opportunity, after many months, to collectively celebrate surviving the COVID 19 pandemic and the easing of social restrictions. Everything is on track, including acceptances - we still have about 30 seats to fill - so get in soon to avoid disappointment.
The staff of the Maroochy RSL have not only considered in detail our lunch setting the first class meal and everyone’s personal needs on the day, but are also ensuring we have a safe and COVID free day. In particular, they have provided the following advice, and we will be ensuring that you are directed safely to the lunch rooms on the First Floor, the reception desk and to your table. We will also give you an “Admin Brief” to make sure you rae settled properly.
Sadly, we advise that our intended guest speaker, LTCOL Lingo isn’t going to be available for the lunch. Colin has been deployed at short notice to Victoria with 125 pers from 7 CSSB to support the COVID outbreak containment measures. This is Colin’s second deployment this year, as he was deployed to VIC/NSW in early 2020, to support the bushfire fight. He has been a busy man and we are sorry he can’t be with us as he would have a lot of interesting stories to tell about bushfire recovery and COVID support.
The good news is we have a very good replacement speaker, who has generously volunteered his time to address us. Mr Geoff Gillespie, the Chief Operating Officer of Raytheon Australia, has agreed to speak to us about "Defence and Industry - A Perspective". He has an interesting background and will draw much empathy from the Appys in the audience.
Our Colonel Commandant, Queensland, Colonel Steve Evans (Retd), will be our host and once again BRIG Ross Grant (Retd) will be our MC.
Lunch Details. Important details to remember include the following:
- Venue – Room M4 Maroochy RSL, corner Memorial and First Avenues, Maroochydore.
- Timings – 1200 for 1230 hours on Saturday 12 September 2020.
- Cost - Members and up to one Member Guest $43 Each. All other Guests $48.
- Dress – Neat casual.
- Menu – Three Course Meal, with Tea/Coffee. Meals will be served as ‘alternate drop’ ( Details in the file below). Please let us know of any special dietary needs.
- Drinks – The bar opens at 1200 hours and drinks can be purchased at your own expense.
- Parking - Free parking is available in the multi floor car park directly opposite the RSL. Before departing, and to ensure easy exit from the carpark, please advise the attendant at the front desk in the Club foyer of your vehicle registration number to facilitate egress.
Reserve a Seat(s). Click on the "Register" Button above to book.
The following COVID restrictions will apply during the lunch:
- Tables will be limited to a maximum of six guests.
- All guests will be required to sign in on arrival at the function room and out when departing.
- social distancing of 1.5 m between guests is to be maintained when queuing at the entrance to the function, the bar or toilets.
- sanitizer machines will be available for use around the club.
Notwithstanding, we encourage you to make up a table of friends and enjoy the day within the ‘social distancing’ rules. If you do wish to request specific seating, or arrange that table of friends, please email us at:
If you have any difficulties booking or paying on the website, please email the Webmaster at:
If you can’t use the website to book then please contact our Treasurer, Steve Howells, at:
Whichever way you wish to secure your booking(s) for the lunch, they need to be made and paid for by COB 03 September 2020 as we need to confirm numbers with the venue management.
*We cannot guarantee the guest speaker attendance due to Defence operational requirements
Joining the RAQ
If you'd like to join and save on your ticket price, Membership is available from $10 Annual Subscription to $100 for a once off Life Subscription. Joining is easy and can be done online. Click on the Membership tab for all the details
Speakers
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Geoff Gillespie is the Chief Operating Officer for Raytheon Australia.
Based in Brisbane and reporting to the Managing Director, Geoff oversees the day-today operating activities of the company while also contributing to the long-range planning and customer engagement strategies of the company. His particular focus is on the maintenance of customer satisfaction, project portfolio performance, effective allocation of resources across the enterprise and overall company performance.
Geoff has had an integral role in the formulation and execution of Raytheon Australia strategy for more than a decade.
Before his current role, Geoff was Raytheon Australia’s Group General Manager Aerospace overseeing a broad portfolio of mission support and integration projects across a range of government and commercial sector customers.
In 2009, Geoff was selected for a long-term secondment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he worked as the Director of Mission Support for Raytheon’s US-based, Integrated Defense Systems business. Geoff Gillespie Chief Operating Officer Raytheon Australia
During this secondment, whilst primarily focusing his efforts in support of the successful delivery of the multi-billion dollar UAE Patriot program, Geoff also played a key role in developing and implementing strategies to enable the prosecution of Raytheon’s growth commitments in the UAE. After a successful secondment, Geoff returned to Raytheon Australia in January 2011 to his current appointment.
Before his employment at Raytheon Australia, Geoff served in the Australian Army as an officer of the Royal Australian Engineer corps.
- Geoff joined Army 12 Jan 77 as 32nd Intake Apprentice Carpenter & Joiner.
- Graduated OCS Portsea 11 Dec 82 to RAE
- Normal postings to Major, with strong Regimental background, highlighted by service in Iran/Iraq (UNIIMOG) 1989/1990; two years in Hawaii with US 65thEngr Bn 1992 & 1993; and Command 7 Fd Sqn1994 & 1995.
- Staff College 1996
- Staff Postings Canberra 1997-2000, mostly in PERS DIV. Final appointment as LTCOL Senior Career Advisor DOCM-A.
A graduate of the University of New South Wales, having attained a Master’s Degree in Management Studies, Geoff has further qualifications in resource and project management, engineering and training. He is a qualified Six Sigma Specialist and a graduate of the Raytheon Business Leadership Program (University of Chicago Business School alumni).
Going
- Phil & Annette Sullivan
- Eric Williams & Renata Anselmior
- Terry Dillon
- Mal Baird
- Chris & Kerry Wrangle
- John Stannard & Grant Johansen
- Duncan & Heather Slaven
- Ross & Leonie Grant
- Raymond Norman
- Tom Rundle
- Gary & Lynell Sargent
- Ewan & Margaret McLeod
- Ernie & Roz Hartshorn
- Rocky & Sue Hoare
- Jack & Anita Smiley
- Terry & Charmaine Johnson
- Tony Borg
- William McDowall & Guest
- Lindsay & Wendy Morison
- Steve & Melissa Evans
- Stephen Howells
- Les & Pat Edis
- John & Kath Kingston
- Graeme & Susan Clement
- Mike & Barbara Prain
- Pieter & Lorelle Reus
- Peter McAndrew
- Barry (Tip) & Marjolein Tiller
- Clarrie & Lyn Sanders
- Barry & Kerry Rollason
- Stephen Beck & Kristine Klease
- Pat Fergusson
- David & Susan McGahey, Bob & Anne McGahey
- Stanley Curin
- Stephen & Maureen Spencer