Dear Tom and RAEME National Support Network / Operation Spanner Pack,
It was a very pleasant surprise to receive my Spanner Pack last week. Thank you so much, it was very generous. The boxes of shapes were the highlight however I am also a big fan of the Arnotts biscuits. For your consideration, one suggestion for an addition to the Spanner Pack would be Vegemite (comes in a plastic container now); Vegemite has been a game changer over here, a great way to help with food poisoning and to offset the curries. Unlike peanut butter or Nutella, you can’t get Vegemite over here. Thanks for the RAEME merch too, I will place the stickers up at the entrance of Australia House here in Quetta.
Despite this posting being a Command and Staff College overseas position, it feels like a deployment. It’s an interesting place and quite isolating. Gifts and reminders from home go a long way so thank you for considering me for a Spanner Pack, even though I’m not technically deployed.
I have realised that I am the first RAEME Officer to fulfill the Quetta Command and Staff College position, and I am quite proud to represent RAEME and the Australian Army overseas; the Chief of Army visited me in Quetta late last year, which was a highlight. I’ve added a photo from his visit. It has been an exciting, challenging and enjoyable posting so far. I am however, excited to return home in June and be reunited with my wife and young children.
I celebrated 2024 RAEME birthday with the annual Pakistan Command and Staff College ride out. A horseback trail-ride through the mountains of Quetta to the Garrison polo ground, for a day of horse themed competitions, a wonderful time. I did fly the RAEME flag at Australia House, Quetta to mark the occasion. If I couldn’t be at workshop racing billy carts, this was a pretty good alternative. Here’s a photo from me the morning of RAEME birthday and during the ride out.
Thanks again, I genuinely appreciate your letter, the card, the Spanner Pack and support.
Kind Regards,
Nick Longney
RAEME National Network
The Corps of RAEME at any one time has a number of soldiers who are serving on operations and other areas on overseas deployment. The RAEME Associations, with your assistance, send "Spanner Packs" (not tools) to our Corps Soldiers on operations. These packs contain items not supplied by Defence or locally available, which will assist our soldiers to live more comfortably and enjoy some of those favourite things they miss from home. To date July 2024, 4848 (approx 9987 KG) of Spanner Packs have been dispatched to RAEME members on operations in Kuwait, Middle East, Sinai, Iraq, Afghanistan, Solomon’s, South Sudan, PNG and Timor including embedded RAEME members.
We have surveyed many of our recent returned soldiers and those about to leave for overseas and we are in the process of putting together lists of favourite items most preferred by the soldiers. Some of these favourite items are food (Vegemite, biscuits and lollies), magazines, packs of cards, hygiene items, games etc. This project is not state, trade or Unit specific and it is hoped that every soldier will receive at least one pack on each rotation deployment/posting overseas.
You can assist us by individual financial donation, becoming a commercial sponsor with appropriate product and/or dollars, putting us in touch with other possible sponsors, that you know would be willing to assist us in this very important Corps project, and all of the above. We are very open to suggestions and assistance. We are sure that all of our members and contacts will be very willing to assist in some positive way. We are also sure that all returned soldiers will know the importance of this project “Operation Spanner Pack”, and will support this worthy project.
More information can be obtained from the RAEME Association Queensland Chairman of the Spanner Pack Sub Committee via Spannerpack
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Donations can be sent as follows:
EFT/Paypal (EFT is the preferred option):
Click on this link to donate via our online shop
- Banking Details - Defence Bank
- BSB: 833205
- Account Number: 20682037
- Account Name: RAEME Association Queensland.
- Member Number 82731 (For other Defence Bank Transfers only)
RAQ is proud to support and administer this National Program on behalf of all Associations.
