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 –
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Celebrating AEME/RAEME Connections at Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC
On Saturday, 22 August, we conducted a lunch at the Mermaid Beach [AEME] Surf Lifesaving Club on the Gold Coast. We had 40 ex-RAEME members and their partners come along for what turned out to be a really great day, both weather-wise and lunch-wise. Though it was an overcast sort of day, there was no rain and it was not cold.
As well as our usual old and bold, including the likes of Geoff Small, Dave Grant and Blu Morrissey, we also had some new faces for the day, including Gary Mikkelsen, Roger and Lyn Smith, and Mike Averay. With any sort of luck, we will have them back next year.
The tucker was just great and the club staff were excellent. How they produce what they do in the kitchen is beyond me! They must have Gordon Ramsay in there cracking the whip or something.
Above L-R. Suzanne Maurice, Simone Pennisi, Ed Smeaton, Piers Cambridge, Steve Howells & Jeff Maurice enjoying the luncheon.
There were no great formalities, the guests were brought up to date on a few things happening within the club that strengthen its roots and links to its AEME/RAEME founders.
Namely, they were apprised of where the club was at with producing a memorial plaque recognising the AEME founders, including their names, a RAEME badge and tricolour, together with a little of the club’s history dating back to World War II. An update was also provided on the naming of the club’s new coffee shop with a RAEME-themed name.
It was also announced that the club intends to put about four or five possible names for the coffee shop to its members for a majority vote, so we live in hope. The name “Crafties” is getting a good run!!!
Now that the club has approval from the Corps for the use of the RAEME badge and tricolour, thanks to Ed Smeaton and Piers Cambridge, it will now proceed with obtaining costings.
The Surf Club takes its AEME/RAEME roots very seriously.
The two lucky draw prizes were won by Marg Riley and Ed Smeaton.
That’s about it and, all in all, it was a very pleasant day.
Photos from the day are available in the Photo Gallery on the RAEME Association Queensland website.
Regards,
Eddie “Beans” Bevans
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.
RAE First on Exercise Pozieres Run
Above: 6ESR, including 21 Const SQN and supporting RAEME personnel, mark the successful completion of the Non-Equipment Bridge constructed during Exercise Pozieres Run 2026.
During Exercise Pozieres Run 2026, members of 6th Engineer Support Regiment (6 ESR) achieved a first, demonstrating a Non-Equipment Bridge (NEB) capable of supporting some of Army’s heaviest combat and recovery platforms.
Exercise Pozieres Run 2026, conducted from 30 July to 23 August across the Townsville Field Training Area and Shoalwater Bay Training Area, involved ADF personnel, vehicles and equipment alongside elements from partner nations. The exercise provided an opportunity to conduct demanding field training across Queensland, including the movement and employment of military vehicles, watercraft and aircraft, while exercising capabilities required to support operations in the field.
As part of the exercise, 6 ESR provided divisional engineer support to 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, with the officers and sappers of 21 Construction Squadron, supported by members of OSS, designing and constructing a Non-Equipment Bridge capable of carrying the newest and heaviest capabilities operated by the Royal Australian Engineers.
A key feature of the NEB concept is its ability to make use of readily and locally sourced materials, rather than relying entirely on a dedicated military bridging system. The steel beams incorporated into this bridge were standard commercial lengths of the type that could potentially be sourced from buildings, warehouses or other industrial infrastructure.
Above: An M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) and M88 test out the bridge.
Following construction, and with support from 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, the bridge was progressively validated using increasingly demanding loads.
The photographs tell the story.
The structure successfully supported a Hawkei carried on a heavy recovery vehicle combination, as well as being tested with the considerably heavier M88 HERCULES recovery vehicle and Assault Breacher Vehicle.
The design and construction ultimately surpassed expectations, achieving Military Load Classification MLC 130.
Above: A Hawkei carried on a heavy recovery vehicle combination cross over the NEB.
More importantly, it demonstrates a capability with genuine operational relevance — being able to use materials that may be available locally, apply Army engineering expertise and produce a crossing capable of supporting some of the heaviest equipment on the modern battlefield.
It is also another reminder that battlefield mobility is rarely the work of one Corps alone.
Whether constructing the crossing, adapting and fabricating components, maintaining equipment or recovering vehicles, Sappers and Spanners continue to work side-by-side to keep Army moving.
Images and article adapted courtesy of Defence
1CSSB news - Darwin
From across Australia to the other side of the world.
Soldiers from 1 CSSB have recently taken their skills on the road, deploying across Australia and overseas between May and July for a series of major training activities alongside Australian and international partners.
The journey began at Cultana Training Area in South Australia, where 1 CSSB personnel were attached to 1st Armoured Regiment for Exercise Black Prince 3. The activity provided an opportunity to operate within an armoured battle group environment while developing individual and collective skills.
From South Australia, the soldiers travelled to Fort Irwin, California, to participate in Project Convergence Capstone 6 (PCC6).
Reuniting with 1st Armoured Regiment and working alongside personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force, the soldiers formed part of Battle Group ANZAC, training alongside the United States Army in a demanding multinational environment.
Exercise Black Prince 3 and PCC6 placed 1 CSSB personnel at the forefront of Army’s ongoing modernisation and experimentation activities, exposing them to emerging capabilities, new ways of operating and valuable opportunities to learn from Australia’s closest military partners.
The deployment provided an outstanding opportunity for 1 CSSB soldiers to build their professional skills, contribute to multinational training and proudly represent the Battalion — from South Australia to the other side of the world.
Exercise Predators Run 2026
Above: Soldiers from 1 BDE on EX Predators Run. PS: Love a sneaky Tricolour. You need to look really hard, there's two!
Soldiers from 1st Brigade, alongside U.S. Marines from Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 26 and soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 1st Brigade Combat Team, have officially commenced Exercise Predators Run 2026 in North Queensland.
The three forces will train side-by-side, strengthening our ability to operate as an integrated team through shared tactics, command and control, and combined force-on-force activities.
From platoon-level training through to a combined defensive live-fire serial, Predators Run 2026 is designed to enhance combat readiness, build interoperability and reinforce the enduring partnerships that contribute to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
Exercises like Predators Run demonstrate that the strongest partnerships are built through training together, learning from one another and developing the trust needed to succeed in complex operational environments.
Images and article adapted courtesy of Defence
RAEME Association Queensland Inc
RAQ (NQ) Gathering – The Fairfield - Saturday 19 September 2026
