I was among those who attended the 102 Field Workshop function last week, enjoying the opportunity to catch up with old mates and share in the strong sense of camaraderie that continues to bind RAEME members together. Photos and a full report from the event will feature in next week’s Friday Files and the RAEME Newsletter.
In other Corps news, WO2 Soult Walter Crock (affectionately known as "Snappa") of 102 Field Workshop has been awarded her fifth clasp to the Defence Long Service Medal. The ceremony, held at her enclosure at the Billabong Sanctuary on Thursday 28 August 2025, was attended by members of 102 Field Workshop and 3 CSSB.
This achievement marks an outstanding milestone in recognition of 'Snappa' exceptional commitment and dedication to service!
Robert "Tank" Pontifex
RAQ NQ Gathering - Molly Malone's Irish Pub - 20 Sep 2025 - Townsville
Combining skill and fighting - Melbourne
CFN Liam Renwick, a Recovery Technician with 108 Field Workshop, has been busy representing the ADF Combat Sports Association (ADFCSA) as part of the ADF Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team.
In June, Liam competed at the Queensland State Championships and took home double gold at blue belt in both of his respective Gi and No-Gi divisions. A major milestone that reflected his dedication, consistency and hard work in the lead up.
In July, Liam was in Darwin with the ADFCSA team for a training camp that culminated in a combined BJJ/Judo competition against the British Royal Navy.
In August, Liam was in Melbourne to represent ADFCSA as part of the largest ADF Brazilian Jiu Jitsu national team to date. Liam won gold in his No-Gi division and a bronze in his Gi division. Still in August, at the Queensland Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gold Coast Open, Liam won the silver medals in both the No-Gi and Gi Masters divisions.
Liam is clearly a Crafty not to be messed with. Well done, Liam!!!
Image and original information adapted courtesy of Defence
REME Sport Parachute Team - Austria
Above: Many congratulations to LCpl Smith and Cfn Moore! What a great achievement!
Last week LCpl Paige Smith (4 REME) and Cfn Cian Moore (3 REME) represented Great Britain at the 6th FAI World Cup of Speed Skydiving & 5th FAI European Speed Skydiving Championships in Hohenems, Austria.
A fantastic experience and opportunity to represent at an international level where our junior soldiers excelled!
LCpl Paige Smith
Total speed over 8 jumps 2594.26km/h (328.28km/h average)
- Junior Female World Cup
- Junior Female European Championships
Cfn Cian Moore
Total speed over 8 jumps 2676.59km/h (334.57km/h average)
A huge congratulations to both!
Image and original information adapted courtesy of REME
Women in RAEME (WIR3) Cocktails at Gaythorne - Fri 28 Nov 2025
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Papua New Guinea Gaining Independence – 15 September 2025
Australian Service Medal 1945-1975
There were many members of the ADF working in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in September 1975, when this fledgling nation gained its independence. Some served in formed Australian units, others were seconded to the PNGDF units and headquarters, many wore the PNGDF uniform and many the Australian uniform.
They served in many localities, some quite remote and others in well-established towns and cities – but all made a mighty contribution over the period from 1945 to 1975 to the development of PNG as an independent nation and its defence forces. They earned the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 medal with the “PNG clasp”.
One formed unit was 183 (Indep) Recce Flt and its RAEME workshop. The Flight arrived in Lae, PNG in 1967 and provided support to Australian units based there; but increasingly to the PNGDF and the civilian population. Aid to the civil community included search and rescue, medical evacuations and recovery and transporting officials around the remote and widely dispersed regions of PNG. It was challenging flying and saw pilots’ skills become well-honed. It was also challenging to the ground and maintenance teams who kept the aircraft readily available, safe and well serviced – in the case of 183 (Indep) Recce Flt, this was five Sioux helicopters and three Pilatus Porter fixed wing aircraft. The aircraft and their crews served in PNG for nine years. Here is a short part of that units’ story leading up to PNG independence day and its return to Australia some six months later.
PNG gained its independence on 15 Sep 1975. The event was celebrated all over the fledgling nation and Independence Day Ceremonies were held on all major PNGDF bases. At Igam Barracks, Lae, these culminated in a large “Sing Sing”, where local villagers and indigenous members of the PNGDF, Police Force and Prison Services combined to outdo one another dressing in traditional dress and representing the regions from where they came. It was a spectacular day of dancing, singing, feasting and excitement and for the ex-patriots serving in Lae, an opportunity to see the very diverse PNG culture on display. It was also a little intimidating as the thousands of local people, who flooded into Lae for these celebrations, far outnumbered the few expatriates in the crowd by about 20 to 1.
At the end of a very long, hot and tiring day, it was an emotional experience for all to see the Australian flag lowered for the last time since Australia became a colonial administrator in 1906, when it assumed responsibility for the external territory of Papua; and later when Australia accepted the responsibility for German New Guinea and replaced with the colourful and very appropriate modern flag of PNG.
Above: 183 (Independent) Recce Flt Workshop. Workshop members in early 1976 posing for one of their last photos. From left to right starting from the back row, the names are listed below.
Back Row: Cpl John McCully (seated) MCS NCO, Sgt Mick Corkery NCO B1 Store, Cfn Steve Smith Airframe Fitter, Cpl Terry Martin EIR, Sgt Phil Watson Engine NCO, L/Cpl John Addison Armament Fitter, Cfn Brett Danvers B1 Storeman, Sgt Dave Melandri Airframe NCO, Cfn Graham MacDonald, Unit Driver, Cfn Denis Miles Unit Recovery Mechanic.
Middle Row: Cpl Kev Kenefick Airframe Fitter, Cpl John ‘Obie” O’Brien Airframe Fitter, Cpl Bruce Ryan RAAOC B2 Store, Cfn P W Smith Airframe Fitter, Cpl Allen Wilcox MCS Clerk, WO1 Jimmy Jones ASM , Cfn Tony Hart Airframe Fitter, SSGT John Crawford, Hangar Artificer, Cfn ‘Bull’ Long Airframe Fitter, Cpl Barry Ahern, RAAOC the Corkery’s, Cpl Alan Wilcox MCS NCO, Cfn George Zyla Airframe Fitter, Cpl Dave Clodd Radio Mechanic NCO.
Front Row: Pte Peter Baldrey RAAOC B2 Store, Cfn Darcy Wilson Engine Fitter – and the unit mascot ‘Croc’, Capt. Ross Grant OC, Cfn ‘Benny’ Hill EIR, Cpl Rod Smith Airframe Fitter.
In December 1975, 183 (Indep) Recce Flt and Workshop were directed to return to Australia by “1 Apr 76”. In the remaining three months several operational tasks had to be completed (including the recovery of Porter A14-690 which crashed in Vanimo in the same week as the RTA advice was received), the remaining unit aircraft had to be flown back to Oakey, the unit and its workshop packed up and everything shipped home, including all single personnel and married families.
Above: Lae Airfield prior to departure of the remaining aircraft to Australia
Most of work went smoothly, and on the 1st of April 1976, the last four families arrived back in Toowoomba to the first flush of a cold winter. The unit was home on Australian soil for the first time since 1967, and what remained of the unit, was in a great pile of boxes stored in the tin sheds in “Temporary Oakey” buildings, on the Army Airfield Oakey Queensland. The final act of disbandment of 183 Recce (Indep) Flt was completed later in the year with the despatch of all these stores to 11 Sup Bn at Meeandah and a modest reunion of the returnees held in what is now the Oakey Base Gym.
Above: Packing the unit up in February-March 1976
The unit members dispersed to other aviation units at Oakey and elsewhere. Several low-key reunions have been held since disbandment, but for those who served in the unit in the early days, or much later, the PNG experience remains locked in their hearts. The workshop was a proud part of a busy and much valued unit. It had an exemplary record of service, and although it doesn’t have the wartime experiences and record of 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, in SVN, it still has something to be remembered for – provision of good honest and worthwhile service to the Australian Defence Force and the PNG nation.
Images and information courtesy of BRIG (RTD) Ross Grant AM
