RAEME Association Queensland Inc

Featured

Welcome

The RAEME Association Queensland Incorporated is a not-for-profit, volunteer, community service 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 purposes of the Association are to—

  • promote, provide or carry out activities, facilities or projects for the benefit or welfare of the community or any members of the RAQ as a community service organisation; and
  • promote the corps identity and reputation in Queensland; and
  • recognise and celebrate the achievements of the members of the corps in Queensland; and
  • 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.

Pay with PayPal

Meetings and Functions

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

Craftsman Reserve 2025 Bourbon now available!

Bottles are now being dispatched and they’re moving fast. Of the original 500 bottles produced exclusively for the RAEME Association, with less than 180 bottles remaining for purchase — once they're gone, they're gone.

This year, our mates at Milton Distillery have lifted the bar again, experimenting with a refined mash to create a one-off bourbon crafted just for RAEME made from Australian Corn mash!. Expect a floral nose with hints of honey and vanilla, rolling into a warm, spiced finish a fitting tribute to the artisans of our Corps.

Raise a glass to exceptional craftsmanship and the spirit of those who always strive for perfection.

How to get yours

  • Ordering is now open — limited allocation remaining
  • Retail: $90 | RAQ Members: $80 (use the member-only discount code, make sure you login first or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!)
  • Free shipping on orders over $130 — remember to select the free-shipping option at checkout!

Purchase exclusively via the distillery — click the button below or copy the link:

https://miltondistillery.com/product/raeme-bourbon-2025-limited-edition/

(Link is not publicly listed)

Important ordering info:

  • Members — don’t forget to apply your discount code at checkout.

  • You’re welcome to purchase other Milton Distillery products, but the $10 discount applies only to our bourbon (per bottle — buy as many as you like!).

  • With a large volume of orders to fill, please allow up to a week or so before contacting the distillery directly: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cheers to our Craftsman Reserve Bourbon!

Name badges – Back by popular demand

Following the popularity of our RAEME Association Queensland name badges released in 2025, we’re pleased to announce that pre-orders are now open for another production run.

What you get

Each RAEME Association Queensland Name Badge features:

  • Metallic badge – 76mm wide x 25mm high
  • Full-colour RAEME Corps Badge
  • RAEME Association Queensland heading
  • Your customised name
  • Choice of Magnetic Clip or Pin Clip

Important – Your Name and/or Nickname
We will automatically use the name shown on your order unless you provide a different name and/or nickname in the Order Notes field when placing your order. 

If you have any questions about the name/s to appear on your badge, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PRE-ORDERS CLOSE SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2026

These badges are being produced as a pre-order, so orders and payment must be received before the closing date.

Once orders close, the badges will be manufactured with delivery and collection expected in late September or early October 2026.

Important Ordering Information

Please place Name Badges in a separate order.

You may order multiple name badges together, however if you are purchasing other RAQ merchandise, please place those items in a separate order, otherwise all items will be despatched once the name badges arrive.

Postage & Collection

You can select postage or Click & Collect. Collection is expected to be available at an RAQ monthly meeting around October 2026.

We’ll provide regular updates on ordering, manufacture and delivery through Spanner News Weekly.

Don’t miss out – pre-orders close Sunday 13 September 2026.

Featured

Five-year Anniversary Commemoration - Remembering Ryan and Brendon

 

47312775 9942209 Private Brendon Payne

On Sunday, 30 August 2026, the RAEME family will mark the fifth anniversary of the tragic loss of Warrant Officer Class Two Ryan Leslie and Craftsman Brendon Payne, who died while participating in a military exercise near the Townsville Field Training Area on 30 August 2021. Their passing continues to be deeply felt by their families, friends, colleagues and the wider RAEME community.

To mark the fifth anniversary, the North Queensland Recovery fraternity warmly welcomes family, friends, colleagues and members of the RAEME community to attend a commemoration at the memorial from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Those attending will then gather at the Twin City Hotel, Thuringowa, providing an opportunity to come together, share memories and remember Ryan and Brendon in the company of mates.

Whether attending in North Queensland or marking the anniversary elsewhere, members of the Corps are encouraged to take a moment to remember Ryan and Brendon, the service they gave and the lasting place they hold within the RAEME family.

Arte et Marte

Strong turnout for Darling Downs RAQ Gathering

Above: L-R Don McKenzie, Graham Noll and Pat Smyth

Approximately 25 members, veterans, families and friends attended the latest RAQ Darling Downs gathering, a very pleasing turnout for this time of year when many locals traditionally head north to escape the cooler weather. The afternoon provided another great opportunity to catch up with old mates, share stories and enjoy the camaraderie of the Corps, with the crowd remaining strong until well after 1500.

Above: Ross Grant, Peter and Sandra Pile, Kathryn and Bruce Hermann and Clarrie & Lyn Sanders.

It was particularly pleasing to welcome Ross and Leonie Grant, who spent much of the afternoon circulating and reminiscing with those present. Rod Brown also brought along Vietnam veterans Don McKenzie and Pat Smyth (both R Aust Inf). Pat later gave a short and moving account of his service in Vietnam, including unexpectedly meeting his brother while deployed, before reflecting on the reception Vietnam veterans received on their return to Australia. Hearing that experience first-hand was a sobering reminder of what many of our Vietnam veterans endured both during and after their service.

Above: Rod Brown, Scotty McIvor, Sharon and Ted McKellar, Ian Johnson

With Bruce and Kathryn Hermann also making the journey up the hill, the gathering included three Vietnam veterans, the largest number to attend one of the Darling Downs functions to date. Special thanks also go to Bruce for once again bringing along the RAQ merchandise and for his continued behind-the-scenes support of Association activities.

Congratulations to Dave Smith, Sandra Pile and Ted McKellar, who each took home a $50 Harvey Norman gift voucher as lucky-door prizes.

The next Darling Downs gathering will be the final function for 2026, with the RAEME Birthday function to be held on Sunday, 15 November. We look forward to finishing the year with another strong turnout and celebrating the Corps birthday together in true RAEME fashion.

All the photos of the day are available in our Photo Gallery.

Peter Pile

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Annual Sunshine Coast Luncheon — Tickets Available Now

Sunshine Coast Luncheon Sep 2025 Ewan Mcleod 39

Members and friends of RAEME are invited to attend the annual RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon at the Maroochydore RSL on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

This year’s guest speaker will be Suzanne Shipp. Suzanne is 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, she 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 military career as a Captain.

Suzanne Shipp

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.

Read Suzanne’s full biography

The luncheon will include a three-course Gold Plate meal, a presentation by Suzanne, and an update on current RAEME and Association activities.

Tickets are available now through the RAQ website and cost:

  • $34 per person for RAQ financial members, serving RAEME members and eligible guests; and
  • $54 per person for non-members.

book now

With the standard meal price being $64, the luncheon represents exceptional value through the generous support and subsidies provided by the RAEME Association Queensland and the Maroochydore RSL.

Attendance is limited to 100 guests, so members are encouraged to book early and avoid missing one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Chapter calendar.

Arte et Marte

RAEME Sunshine Coast Chapter

Chinook community continues to grow - Oakey

Above: German Bundeswehr personnel receive hands-on CH-47 Chinook maintenance training at the Rotary-wing Aircraft Maintenance School in Queensland. Image: Bradley Richardson.

From Queensland to Germany, the Chinook community continues to grow, with German military personnel from the Bundeswehr undertaking CH-47 Chinook transition training at the Rotary-wing Aircraft Maintenance School (RAMS).

The training is providing German personnel with valuable hands-on experience across Chinook aircraft systems and maintenance, supporting their transition to the platform and strengthening technical knowledge between partner nations.

The activity also highlights the important role played by Australian Army aviation maintainers and instructors in sharing expertise, building interoperability and supporting the wider international Chinook community.

Image and article adapted courtesy of Defence

Soldier's aviation career takes flight - Sabah, Malaysia

Above: Tpr Cate McNair of 1 Avn Regt loads mission planning data to a Tiger ARH as part of Ex Keris Strike in Sabah, Malaysia. Photo: Cpl Jack Pearce

For 21-year-old Tpr Cate McNair, Exercise Keris Strike in Sabah, Malaysia marked an important milestone – her first overseas exercise with Defence. The annual trilateral activity brings together Australian, Malaysian and United States Army personnel to integrate ground and aviation capabilities and develop a combined joint live-fire capability. An aviation operations specialist with 1 Avn Regt, Tpr McNair has been working as part of Task Unit Marlin, supporting ARH Tiger aircrew through mission planning, battle tracking and the coordination of information from the Tactical Operations Centre. Having enlisted in 2023, she said deploying to Malaysia only three years later was an opportunity she could never have imagined while growing up near Toowoomba.

Exercise Keris Strike has also provided Tpr McNair and other young ADF members with valuable experience operating alongside regional partners and building the trust, confidence and interoperability needed for future operations. Working closely with Malaysian and United States personnel has allowed participating forces to share knowledge, strengthen relationships and demonstrate their ability to deploy and operate effectively as a combined team. With her sights firmly set on a career in Army aviation, Tpr McNair will next post to Townsville, where she hopes to work with the AH-64E Apache and continue building on the experience gained during Exercise Keris Strike.

Image and article adapted courtesy of Defence

Featured

RAQ (NQ) Gathering – The Fairfield - Saturday 19 September 2026

An invitation is extended to all RAQ, current and former RAEME members and all friends of the Corps to attend a RAQ (NQ) get together.

  • What – RAQ (NQ) Gathering – The Fairfield Hotel
    (re-named and re-furbished Oonoonba Hotel)
  • When – Sat 19 Sep 26 from 1230h – onwards
  • Where – The Fairfield Hotel – 78 Abbott St, Oonoonba, Townsville, QLD 4811
    Ph: (07) 4778 3573
  • Why – September is the showcase month for NQ weather. Sunny QLD beautiful one day, perfect the next. Do yourself and the family a favour and book the flight, road trip or cruise and get to Townsville to enjoy the new refurbishment of one of Townsville’s oldest pubs. Good friends, good banter and good food makes for a great afternoon NQ style. Arte et Marte.

Bring your family, or a mate to introduce them to the RAQ (NQ) family

  • Raffles
  • $100 Member Draws
  • Bar Snacks 1330h

Plenty of good company and much more....

Enquiries – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Latest Craftsman magazine is Out!

The latest edition of The Craftsman – 2025 Volume 76 is now available online. The annual RAEME journal once again provides a great snapshot of our Corps, capturing the achievements, innovation, operations, people and activities that continue to shape RAEME and preserve our history for future generations.

There is plenty to read across the 114-page edition. Here are a few articles worth a look:

  • 16 Aviation Support Battalion – Raising Endurance (p.33) – An insight into the raising of 16 ASB in Townsville and Oakey and its role supporting Army Aviation’s rapidly modernising Black Hawk, Apache and Chinook capabilities.
  • AI in the Workshop: Enabling RAEME to Do More with Less (p.40) – SGT Michael Newman explores how artificial intelligence could assist RAEME technicians with fault finding, administration, planning and maintenance support while complementing, rather than replacing, technical expertise.
  • Forging the Future: RAEME’s Role in Army’s New 10th Brigade (p.42) – A look at the challenges and opportunities for RAEME as 10th Brigade develops its long-range fires and integrated air and missile defence capabilities, including HIMARS and NASAMS.
  • Matt Stone Racing (p.51) – The RAEME–Matt Stone Racing partnership continued to grow throughout 2025, with more than 20 technicians gaining experience in the high-pressure Supercars environment and three Vehicle Technicians joining the team for the Bathurst 1000.
  • OP KUDU Maintenance Concepts and Observations (p.52) – WO2 Scott Skinner provides a fascinating look at maintenance support to Ukraine, including battlefield repair, maintainer training and the lessons emerging from sustaining complex equipment during conflict.
  • RAEME Association of Queensland (p.103) – Our own contribution to The Craftsman looks back on another busy year for the Association, including the All Ranks Luncheon, our guest speakers, the presentation of Honorary Life Membership to Brian Daley and the continuing strength of the Queensland RAEME community.

These are just a small selection of the stories contained in Volume 76, with plenty more covering Corps activities, operations, unit jottings, awards, RAEME Birthday celebrations, Associations and Vales.

Read The Craftsman Magazine – Volume 76 here
Arte et Marte

2026 Craftsman Port & Single Malt Whiskey

We are pleased to announce the official launch of this year’s RAEME Craftsman Port (Tawny).

In recognition of significant milestones within the Army and the Corps, Army Headquarters (AHQ) is proud to sponsor this year’s release. In collaboration with Chief’s Son Distillery, the 2026 Craftsman Series includes both a Port (Tawny) and a Single Malt Whisky, produced by a proudly Australian, veteran-owned business.

The RAEME 2026 Craftsman Release honours significant milestones in the proud history of both the Australian Army and the Corps. The year marks the 125th anniversary of the Australian Army, the 84th anniversary of the Corps, and the 40th anniversary of the Prince Philip Banner. This commemorative release recognises these important milestones and pays tribute to the dedication, service, and enduring legacy of RAEME soldiers—past and present.

Product Details

  • 700ml Craftsman Port (Tawny) – $60.00
  • 700ml Single Malt Whisky – $87.00
  • Postage – $19 (up to 6 bottles)

  • PLEASE NOTE – Max purchase of 6 bottles per order, in any combination.

Delivery will occur in batches throughout 2026.

How to Order

To place an order, please scan the QR code on the attached flyer or click on this link

All orders will be delivered directly to your door.

Orders are now open, with final orders closing on 30 September 2026.

This release provides a unique opportunity to secure a high-quality commemorative product while supporting a veteran-owned Australian distillery and celebrating the enduring heritage of the Corps.

RAEME National Network - Edition 07 Maintenance Matters out now

Hi All,

This edition can be downloaded from:

This edition features:

  • Remembering Ryan Leslie and Brendon Payne
  • A farewell for a beloved Corps member, Brian Touhy
  • A report on the Corps from the RSM
  • An introduction to a new series on families with multiple generations in RAEME.
  • Announcements of various activities including Vietnam Veterans' Day (18 Aug), and a RAEME trek to Kokoda being planned for ANZAC 2027
  • Reports from RAEME members around the nation, including a couple of big reunions
  • Details of impending RAEME events
  • And much more

Best Submission Winner: The winner of the $50 voucher for the best member submission this month is the Riley Clan for their report on their family's service across four generations, three of whom served (or continue to serve) in RAEME.

Lodge your submission for the next edition to be in the running for the $50 prize. Visit: https://raeme.org.au/publications/newsletter/article-submission

Special Requests
RAEME Families: Thank you to those members who have submitted details about RAEME families with two or more generations who have served in our Corps. If any member carries a multi-generational RAEME Story, we want to hear from them! Please ask them to share their This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can start the conversation.

Above and Beyond: We are also looking for names of former-serving members who have gone Above and Beyond to support their communities. If you want to nominate someone, get started by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Serving members: To all currently serving members, please let us know what you or your workshop are doing. We want to capture stories of our men and women in the workplace.

Ian Cook
Managing Editorial Team
Maintenance Matters

101 FD WKSP Reunion - Gold Coast

Above: Attendees at the reunion on the Gold Coast over the weekend, 14–16 August 2026.
What a fantastic weekend at the Ex 101 & Friends Reunion, held at the Currumbin RSL! With more than 80 people in attendance, it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old mates, reminisce about the good old days and, of course, meet plenty of new mates along the way. The turnout was a true testament to the mateship, camaraderie and friendships that make RAEME so special.

As one of Queensland’s active Quilts of Valour representatives, Michelle Lafferty was incredibly proud to present 17 Quilts of Valour to our veteran mates as a small token of appreciation and recognition for their service to our country. It was a privilege to be able to share these special moments with so many veterans and their families.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the night such a memorable one. The laughter, stories and memories reminded us all that the friendships formed through our military careers really do last a lifetime.

Mark your calendars – the next reunion is in August 2028! You definitely won’t want to miss it. I’m already thinking about what’s next… so watch this space! Until then… keep the mateship alive!

Karen Cairns and Michelle Lafferty

Photos of the event are available in the latest edition of Maintenance Matters

Image and article adapted courtesy of Maintenance Matters