RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon 2023

Name: RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon 2023
Start: 2023-09-30T12:30:00+10:00
End: 2023-09-30T17:00:00+10:00
Location: Maroochydore RSL
Rating: 5

From 30.09.2023 12:30 until 30.09.2023 17:00

At Maroochydore RSL

commschair@qld.raeme.org.au

http://qld.raeme.org.au

An invitation is extended to all current and past members of RAEME, and friends of RAEME, who live on the Sunshine Coast/ Wide Bay area, or the surrounding region, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Visitors to the area at the time are also very welcome.

As you will be aware by now, the prime purpose of the gathering is to provide an opportunity for those of us who live in the wonderful Sunshine Coast region to renew old friendships and meet newly retired ‘Bluebells’ who may have moved to SE QLD. The good news is that this year we have no COVID restrictions in our venue of choice – the Maroochy RSL.

We are pleased to confirm that our guest speaker is the Brigadier Gabrielle Follett AM - BSc BMedSc MA. Director General Fuel Services - Joint Logistics Command. A career army officer currently responsible for logistics, maintenance and deployable health service leadership. In 2020 Colonel Follett was awarded Member (AM) in the military division of the Order of Australia for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force as Commanding Officer 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion and as a Staff Officer in the Office of the Chief of the Defence Force and Army Headquarters.

The Colonel Commandant, Queensland, COL (Rtd) Steve Evans, will again host the lunch, and as has become the practice, BRIG (Rtd) Ross Grant AM will be our MC. We will again be ably supported by the Maroochy RSL catering and bar staff, who will look after our every need.

Lunch Details. Important details to remember including the following:

Venue – Room M4 Maroochy RSL, corner Memorial and First Avenues, Maroochydore.
Timings – 1200 for 1230 hours on Saturday 30 September 2023
Dress – Neat casual
Menu – Meals will be served as ‘alternate drop’. Please let us know of any special dietary needs
Drinks – The bar will be open from 1200 to 1630 hours and drinks can be purchased at your own expense
Parking - Free parking is available in the multi floor car park directly opposite the RSL. Before departing, please advise the attendant at the front desk in the Club foyer of your vehicle registration number to facilitate exit.
RSVP - COB 20 September 2023

The cost of the lunch is $28.00 per head for RAQ members, including partners, and $48.00 per head for non-members.

If you do wish to request specific seating, or arrange that table of friends, or you have specific dietary restrictions please email us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Joining the RAQ

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Speakers

Brigadier Gabrielle Follett AM
BRIGADIER GABRIELLE FOLLETT AM - BSc BMedSc MA

Director General Fuel Services - Joint Logistics Command

Brigadier Follett commenced training at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1996 and graduated from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in December 1999.

She has served in a variety of regimental appointments including as the Officer Commanding the Operational Support Squadron, 1st Combat Engineer Regiment, and the Officer Commanding Gallipoli Company, Royal Military College – Duntroon. Brigadier Follett commanded the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion in 2016-17.

Brigadier Follett has held a range of staff appointments, including as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force, Staff Officer Grade One Logistic Plans (Army Headquarters), and as the Commander Force Sustainment Group and Chief of Staff of the 17th Sustainment Brigade. In 2020-21 Brigadier Follett served in Special Operations Command as the Director of the Joint Inter-Agency Liaison Office.

Brigadier Follett has deployed to Timor Leste twice, with the 5th/7th Royal Australian Regiment Battalion Group on Operation Citadel (2002) and as the Plans Officer of the International Stabilisation Force on Operation Astute (2010). From June 2007-January 2009 she deployed on Operation Paladin, first as a United Nations Military Observer in Syria and subsequently as the Staff Officer to the United Nations Head of Mission based in Jerusalem. Brigadier Follett has also deployed to Afghanistan twice, firstly to Tarin Kowt with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Operation Slipper, 2012) and in 2018 to Kabul as the embedded Australian member of the US Army Commanding General’s Commander’s Action Group (Operation Highroad).

Brigadier Follett has humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations experience in Sumatra, Indonesia, as part of Operation Padang Assist following an earthquake in 2010. She was the J3 (Operations Officer) of Joint Task Force 637 during Queensland Flood Assist II (2012) and was part of the 3rd Brigade’s response to Cyclone Debbie (2017). Also domestically, she deployed on Operation Relex (2001) conducting border protection operations from on board Navy vessels.

Brigadier Follett holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics, a Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology), a Master of Arts in Strategy and Policy, a Master of International Relations, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brigadier Follett completed the Australian Command and Staff College in 2011 and the Defence and Strategic Studies Course in 2022. She has studied Spanish for several years and is a keen but slow distance runner. Since July 2020, she has served as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Brigadier Follett is the current Patron of the ADF Running and Athletics Association.

In 2006, Brigadier Follett was awarded a Silver Commendation for her leadership of Gallipoli Company and in 2013 was awarded a Gold Commendation for her work on Operation Slipper. She was awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for her performance in Kabul in 2018. Brigadier Follett was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Brigadier Follett assumed the role of Director General Fuel Services Branch on 16 January 2023.