Sunday, 30 August 2026, marks five years since the RAEME family tragically lost Warrant Officer Class Two Ryan Leslie and Craftsman Brendon Payne, who died while serving their country during a military exercise near the Townsville Field Training Area on 30 August 2021.
Five years may have passed, but Ryan and Brendon have not been forgotten.
Both were Recovery Mechanics and proud RAEME members, serving with 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry) when they lost their lives.
Ryan was 40 years old and had served in the Australian Army for more than 22 years, including deployments to East Timor and the Solomon Islands. He was an experienced Recovery Mechanic, respected leader and mentor whose friends and colleagues remembered his energy, humour and deep commitment to the soldiers around him.
Brendon was 29 and at the beginning of what promised to be a long Army career. He had joined the Army in March 2020 and arrived at 2/14 LHR on his first posting following training only a few months before the accident. His mates remembered his strength, determination, cheeky smile and willingness to do anything to help those around him.
They represented two different stages of service — Ryan, an experienced and highly regarded senior soldier, and Brendon, a young Craftsman beginning his journey in the Corps — but both embodied the qualities we value in RAEME: mateship, professionalism, dedication and service.
Their loss was felt deeply across 2/14 LHR, the wider Army and particularly within the RAEME community.
In the years since, their families, friends, mates and the extended RAEME family have worked to ensure their memory endures.
At Dotswood in North Queensland, close to where Ryan and Brendon lost their lives, now stands the RAEME Recovery Mechanics Memorial. The memorial was created through the support of the extended RAEME family, with its design developed in close consultation with Ryan and Brendon’s wives and families. It was formally unveiled by the families of Ryan and Brendon on 30 August 2023, the second anniversary of their passing.
It provides a permanent place where family, friends, serving soldiers and veterans can stop, remember and reflect — not simply on how Ryan and Brendon died, but importantly on how they lived, who they were and the impact they had on those around them.
As we mark the fifth anniversary of their passing, our thoughts remain first and foremost with Ryan and Brendon’s families, friends and mates, and with all those for whom 30 August will always carry a special significance.
The passage of time does not diminish their service, their friendships or the memories held by those fortunate enough to have known and served alongside them.
On Sunday, wherever members of our Corps may be, we ask the RAEME family to take a moment to remember two of our own.
WO2 Ryan Leslie
CFN Brendon Payne
Gone, but never forgotten.
Arte et Marte
Rest in Peace
Annual Sunshine Coast Luncheon — Be quick, fewer than 40 tickets remaining
Above: Members and guests at the 2025 Sunshine Coast Luncheon
Time is running out to secure your place at the 2026 RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon, with fewer than 40 tickets remaining.
Members, serving personnel, families and friends of RAEME are invited to join us at the Maroochydore RSL on Saturday, 12 September 2026 for what has become one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Chapter calendar.
Luncheon Host - LTCOL Alex McDonald
This year, LTCOL Alex McDonald will host the luncheon on behalf of Colonel Commandant Queensland, COL Piers Cambridge, and provide an update on current RAEME activities, developments and issues affecting the Corps.
Alex brings extensive experience across engineering, capability management, operations, digital transformation and enterprise ICT. A graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), he has served in a wide range of regimental, staff and capability appointments across Army and Defence.
His career has included overseeing the introduction into service of the M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer, providing engineering support to vehicle and armoured fleets, and serving operationally as J4 Maintenance within Headquarters Middle East Region.
Since 2019, Alex has played a significant role in Army and Defence digital transformation, including work on Plan CENTAUR, Logistic Plans Army, the Land Capability Data Strategy and Defence ERP implementation. He currently supports the Director General Business Operations Centre, with a focus on ERP business architecture, enterprise architecture, data management and process optimisation.
Guest speaker — Suzanne Shipp
This year’s guest speaker will be Suzanne Shipp, a highly accomplished executive with more than 30 years’ experience across engineering, asset management, operations, maintenance and strategic leadership.
As Energy Queensland’s first female Chief Engineer, Suzanne provides technical stewardship across one of Australia’s largest electricity networks, supporting more than two million customers.
Suzanne began her career in the Australian Army as a member of the 46th Apprentice Intake, qualifying as an Electronics Technician before commissioning as a RAEME Engineering Officer. She completed more than 14 years of service and concluded her Army career as a Captain.
Since leaving the Army, Suzanne has held senior leadership roles across the energy, manufacturing, digital and defence sectors. She is also a strong advocate for engineering, veterans, men’s health, mentoring and greater diversity across technical professions.
At the September RAEME Luncheon, Suzanne will share insights from her military service and her journey into executive leadership.
Exceptional value for members
The luncheon includes a three-course Gold Plate meal, Alex and Suzanne’s presentations, and updates on current RAEME and Association activities.
Tickets are:
- $34 per person for RAQ financial members, serving RAEME members and eligible guests; and
- $54 per person for non-members.
With the standard meal price being $64, the luncheon represents exceptional value thanks to the generous support and subsidies provided by the RAEME Association Queensland and Maroochydore RSL.
Attendance is limited to 100 subsidised guests and fewer than 40 tickets remain.
If you are planning to attend, now is the time to book and avoid missing another great afternoon of RAEME camaraderie, Corps updates and an outstanding guest presentation.
Arte et Marte
RAEME Sunshine Coast Chapter
RAEME Reserve/CMF Reunion - Brisbane
Another successful CMF/ARES RAEME Reunion was held at the Indooroopilly Sherwood RSL on Sunday, 23 August 2026, with around 70 members, partners, family and friends in attendance. It was particularly pleasing to welcome several new faces to this year’s gathering.
The reunion has been supported for many years by a small and dedicated organising committee. With that committee having reduced in size through illness and the passing of members, future reunions will now be organised by the RAEME Association Queensland, with assistance from members of the Reserve community. This will help ensure that this longstanding and important gathering continues into the future.
Above: L–R: Dave Fawcett, Gary Cowan, Steve Gnatiuk, Richard Morse and Ian Gordon
We are thankful for the raffle donation provided by Westside RSL HQ, and for the continued support of its President, Matt Conway, who was in attendance.
Also in attendance were COL Piers Cambridge (Retd), Colonel Commandant Queensland, and Peter Matthews, Chairman of the RAEME Association Queensland.
The barbecue was a great success and was handled professionally by Phil Kyle and John Hogan, whom we thank sincerely. A big thank you also goes to Raymond Marzon for looking after the bar throughout the afternoon. Phil, John and Raymond are all members of the Indooroopilly Sherwood RSL, whose continued support is greatly appreciated.
The raffles were again well supported, with Ian Wheeler being the successful winner of the RAEME cane.
Above: L–R: John Parfitt and Ian Leabeater being presented with Honorary Life Membership of the Association by Colonel Commandant Queensland, COL Piers Cambridge
This was a particularly special day for both Ian Leabeater and myself, with the presentation of Honorary Life Membership of the RAEME Association Queensland.
John Parfitt advises that "this was a particularly special day for both Ian Leabeater and myself, with the presentation of Honorary Life Membership of the RAEME Association Queensland."
John continues: “COL Cambridge read the citation outlining my contribution to the Association and the Corps. Following the citation, I was presented with a framed certificate and a statuette of Saint Eligius, the Patron Saint of RAEME.
"In responding, I thanked the members of the RAEME Association Queensland for their support and repeated a quote I had used when receiving the Chairman’s Award, paraphrasing President John F. Kennedy: 'Don’t think of what RAEME can do for you, but what you can do for RAEME.'
"After my presentation, it was time for Ian Leabeater RFD to receive his Honorary Life Membership. Again, COL Cambridge read the citation recognising Ian’s many years of service before presenting him with his award. Ian responded with pride and appreciation for the recognition.
Above: L-R John and Lyn Parfitt cut the reunion cake; Jim and Wally Buldo enjoy the luncheon.
"I was also pleased and honoured to cut the RAEME Reunion birthday cake, given the proximity of my 90th birthday. My wife, Lyn, assisted me with this task, making it another special part of the day."
Another very successful ARES RAEME Reunion is now over, and we look forward to doing it all again next year.
Regards
John Parfitt OAM
Editor’s Note
It was particularly fitting that John Parfitt OAM and Ian Leabeater RFD received their Honorary Life Memberships surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, many of whom have shared in their long association with the Corps and the RAEME Association Queensland.
John and Ian’s achievements have now been recorded on the RAEME Association Queensland Honour Board, alongside the Association’s other Honorary Life Members. The Honour Board and details of previous recipients can be viewed on the RAEME Association Queensland website.
Photographs from the reunion and the Honorary Life Membership presentations are also available in the Photo Gallery on the Association website.
The RAEME Association Queensland congratulates John Parfitt OAM and Ian Leabeater RFD on their well-deserved Honorary Life Memberships and sincerely thanks them for their many years of service and continued support to the Association and the Corps.
Arte et Marte.
