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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


RAQ RAEME Sunshine Coast Gathering – 27 July 2025

Our next RAEME Sunshine Coast get-together is scheduled for Sunday, 27 July 2025, once again at the Alex Surf Club, kicking off around 1200 hrs (midday).

Our April gathering was a great success, with a healthy turnout of around 50 people. It was fantastic to catch up with old mates and welcome some new faces. While some of our April attendees may be travelling at this time, we hope to see others who couldn’t make it last time, join us in July. Either way, we’re looking forward to another great afternoon.

Please let me know if you're able to attend so we can arrange the appropriate booking.

Save the Date – RAEME Annual Luncheon

Also, a reminder that our Annual Luncheon at the Maroochydore RSL is coming up on Saturday, 13 September 2025. Further details will be shared closer to the event.

Looking forward to seeing you all there. 

Terry & Tom

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ALTC News - Wodonga

The Royal Thai Army Military Technical Training School (MTTS) dropped in at Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering earlier this month in the spirit of connection and shared learning. 

The schools began a re-establishment of a once close relationship dating back to the Vietnam War era, which saw Australian Instructors teaching at (MTTS), Thai trainees learning in Australia and the ADF donating tooling to the MTTS.

The visit was a fruitful one, with visions to share knowledge and trade training processes.

Images and information courtesy of Defence


AIM 9X sidewinder missile live fire - Woomera Test Range South Australia

Above: A Hawkei High Mobility Launcher from 16 Regiment, fires an AIM 9X sidewinder missile at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia.

NASAMS is a short-range ground based air defence system, delivering an enhanced force protection system for the Australian Army, as part of the Australian Defence Force’s integrated air and missile defence capability. The live-fire trial at the Woomera Test Range 24 – 31 May 2025, was to certify the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile for use with NASAMS.

Above: Soldiers from the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, load Sidewinder missiles on a NASAMS High-Mobility Launcher during a live-fire certification activity at Woomera Test Range, South Australia.

The trial also involved the use of the NASAMS High Mobility Launcher from the Hawkei platform. The National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program directed Defence to invest in increasing missile defence capability to protect critical Defence infrastructure, facilities and personnel from long-range and high-speed missile threats.

Images and information courtesy of Defence


75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War - Canberra

Above: An Australian veteran lays a wreath at the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra on 25 June 2025.

To mark the 75th anniversary of Australian service in the Korean War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, held a National Commemorative Service at the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra on 25 June 2025. More than 18,000 Australians served during the Korean War and post-armistice ceasefire monitoring. 340 Australians lost their lives, more than 1,200 were wounded, and 30 were taken prisoner. Of those who lost their lives, 42 have no known grave. Another 16 Australians died serving in South Korea with the ceasefire monitoring force in 1953-57, and 11 died serving in Japan with base units of British Commonwealth Forces Korea. This anniversary provides the opportunity to honour and remember the service of all Australian men and women who served in the Korean War, and the sacrifice of their families.

Image and information courtesy of Defence


Australia’s Role in Korea – From division to peacekeeping

Above: 23154 SGT Charles Shearim, of Sydney, NSW, RAEME attached to 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), Korea. (Original British Commonwealth Forces Korea (BCFK).

After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel into Soviet-occupied North Korea and US-occupied South Korea, originally a temporary measure to facilitate self-rule. The United Nations attempted to unify the peninsula, establishing the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea (UNTCOK) in 1947, with Australia as one of its nine member states. However, Cold War tensions led to further division. Democratic elections were held in the south, forming the Republic of Korea under President Rhee Syngman, while the north, under Soviet influence, became the Democratic People's Republic of Korea led by Kim Il-sung.

Above: Australian and Korean mechanics work side by side at the 1st Commonwealth Division Workshops in Korea. Giving his unidentified offsider a few pointers on vehicle maintenance is 48513 Private (Pte) Desmond William (Des) Lear of Blackwood, SA. Pte Lear was a clerk in the Taxation Department at Adelaide, SA, before he joined the Australian Regular Army as a motor mechanic in RAEME. He served in Korea from March 1955 to January 1956.

In the lead-up to war in 1950, Australia’s smallest peacekeeping contingent, Major Stuart Peach and Squadron Leader Ron Rankin played a pivotal role. As the only military observers in Korea, they completed a coast-to-coast reconnaissance along the 38th parallel and found no indication of impending conflict. Just hours after their report was filed, North Korean forces launched a surprise invasion. The UN deemed this a full-scale attack, triggering international military support for South Korea, including over 18,000 Australians across the RAN, RAAF and Australian Army. Over three years of war, more than 350 Australians lost their lives, and an armistice in July 1953 formalised a demilitarised zone.

Sergeant J. T. Parker

Above: Kure, Japan. 1951. SGT John Parker, RAEME armourer, inspecting Owen guns which have been returned by 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), in Korea to Returned Stores Depot, Base Ordnance Depot.

During and after the war, Australian diplomats and military personnel continued to contribute to Korea’s stability through the United Nations Commission for the Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea (UNCURK). Australian diplomat James Plimsoll was instrumental in redefining UNCURK’s role as a political liaison and morale support during extended conflict. UNCURK remained active until 1973, monitoring elections, reporting on humanitarian issues, and assisting with Korea’s post-war reconstruction and refugee crisis.

Australia’s peacekeeping legacy in Korea continues under Operation Linesmen. Through its contribution to the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC), Australian Defence Force personnel help monitor the Korean Armistice Agreement within the DMZ. Their duties today include security cooperation, explosive ordnance clearance, and recovery of remains from the war. With 68 Australians having served in this long-standing operation, the legacy of Australian service and sacrifice in Korea is remembered annually on Korean Veterans’ Day, 27 July.

Images courtesy of AWM and information courtesy of ANZAC Portal

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4 Bde Loading vehicles for Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 - Melbourne

Above: Soldiers from 4 Brigade load vehicles bound for Exercise Talisman Sabre onto a carrier ship.

Nearly 100 vehicles from the 4th Brigade have been loaded onto a cargo ship at the Port of Melbourne, heading for Darwin in preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre. Exercise Talisman Sabre is a biennial, multinational military exercise primarily conducted between the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States military, with participation from several partner nations. Designed to strengthen interoperability and enhance strategic military cooperation, the exercise involves complex, high-end warfighting scenarios across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.

Images and information courtesy of Defence


Sappers get hands on game changers - Townsville 

Above: The Assault Breacher Vehicle in action with full width mine plough attached

A few weeks ago, we published this article on Defence’s latest armoured engineering capability, the newly delivered Combat Engineering Vehicles (CEVs). We've now added some video of them in action. Built on the M1 Abrams chassis, the fleet includes 29 M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles and 17 M1110 Joint Assault Bridges. Most of these impressive machines are destined for the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment (3CER), but before reaching their new home, the first CEVs are being put through their paces to prepare sappers for their role in future operations.

Above: Meet 3 CER's new Joint Assault Bridge - built on an M1A1 Abrams tank chassis, its rapid deployment is a game-changer for obstacle breaching on the battlefield

Image and article courtesy of Defence


Save the date – RAQ Darling Downs gathering – Toowoomba City Golf Club

Above: Members and guests at the February 2025 function

The RAQ invites all current and former members of the Corps, partners, and supporters to join us for our third Darling Downs function for 2025, on Vietnam Veterans Day.

This special occasion provides a great opportunity to reconnect with mates, share stories, and celebrate our proud RAEME heritage in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Event Details:

  • Date: Sunday, 17 August 2025
  • Time: 1200h – 1600h
  • Location: Toowoomba City Golf Club – Ambrose Deck or Outside Deck

Look for the RAEME banners and enjoy RAQ lucky door prizes!

Everyone is welcome, including all who have served in the Corps, regardless of RAQ membership status. Partners are warmly invited. Whether you’re local to the Darling Downs or just passing through, we’d love to see you there.

Mark your calendar also for the last RAQ-DD gathering:

  • Sunday, 16 November 2025 - celebrate our Corps Birthday

We’re grateful to Larry Martin, who will be coordinating the August function on behalf of RAQ-DD while I'm away travelling.

Help spread the word among fellow Spanners and make this another memorable RAEME gathering on the Darling Downs.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:

Pete Pile

RAQ-DD Representative
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Arte et Marte!


RAQ Lunch 2025 Mermaid Beach (AEME) Surf Life Saving Club - 23 August

Gold Coast 2024 3

Gidday all

This is a heads notice in relation to the annual RAQ lunch at the MBSLC. Main points are detailed below:

  • When:  Saturday August the 23rd 
  • Timings: 1200 to approximately 1630
  • Who: Any RAEME person serving / retired / male / female / wives / girlfriends / boyfriends
  • Dress: Casual -  its the Gold Coast !!

The plot will be as in previous years the Club provides us with an area on the verandah with tables / chairs that we can gin around in and you purchase your own meals and drinks. That said the RAEME Association Queensland will put a few bucks over the bar to kick things off.

Additionally we will do a couple of lucky door prizes. Its a dead casual afternoon with the primary aim of catching up with friends.

You only need toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are planning on attending. Please let me know your guests name as well. I will do up a little spread sheet of attendees and include it in July and August heads up emails.

Regards

Eddie Bevans

Towards the end of 1945, military servicemen were encouraged to take up all kinds of sport whilst awaiting their discharge from the army. The original members of the club were servicemen of the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEME), stationed at Bulimba workshops, Brisbane.

Permission was granted to them by the Surf Life Saving Association to start a club at what is now known as Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC. The name Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC was gazetted on 11th September 1946. Prior to the naming of Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC the club was known as the AEME Surf Life Saving Club.

More history can be found by clicking on this link. To find out more about the Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC click on the logo above or the link under 'Web Link' at the bottom of the page.

Complimentary Lifetime Membership

RAEME Association Queensland is proud to be associated with the Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC. To honour the traditions of the club, it kindly allows all financial RAQ Queensland Members free Lifetime Membership to the Surf Club. For members to obtain your membership simply download and complete an Application Form and send this to the RAQ Membership email address on the application.

Once approved your membership card can be picked up at the Surf Club.


Annual RAEME Reserve/CMF Reunion - Brisbane

RAEME Reserve Reunion Aug 2024 21

Above: Members and guests at the 2024 Reunion.

The Annual reunion is open to all serving and ex members of RAEME (Army Reserve/CMF or Regular Army) or associated Corps who served with RAEME Res/ CMF units, their families and other people who were associated with RAEME and who wish to renew past friendships. Ex cadre staff members most welcome.

If you know of anyone interested in attending who may not be aware of the function could you pass on this information.

  • When: Sunday 17th August 2025
  • Time: 1100 hrs – 1600hrs
  • Where: Sherwood/lndooroopilly RSL Sub Branch 2 Clewley Street CORINDA. Next to Corinda railway station
  • Cost: $5 includes BBQ Lunch. Drinks at bar prices
  • RSVP: John Parfit 10 August 2025

Great raffles including:

  • Books, Wine, Gift Vouchers $100, $50, $20 & More

John Parfitt
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