On Sunday, 30 August 2026, the RAEME family will mark the fifth anniversary of the tragic loss of Warrant Officer Class Two Ryan Leslie and Craftsman Brendon Payne, who died while participating in a military exercise near the Townsville Field Training Area on 30 August 2021. Their passing continues to be deeply felt by their families, friends, colleagues and the wider RAEME community.
To mark the fifth anniversary, the North Queensland Recovery fraternity warmly welcomes family, friends, colleagues and members of the RAEME community to attend a commemoration at the memorial from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Those attending will then gather at the Twin City Hotel, Thuringowa, providing an opportunity to come together, share memories and remember Ryan and Brendon in the company of mates.
Whether attending in North Queensland or marking the anniversary elsewhere, members of the Corps are encouraged to take a moment to remember Ryan and Brendon, the service they gave and the lasting place they hold within the RAEME family.
Arte et Marte
106 Battery Parade - Townsville
Above: AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle crews conduct a march past of the Reviewing Officer during a parade marking the introduction into service of Army's first Protected Mobile Fires Battery at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville.
Soldiers from 106 Battery, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, marked the introduction into service of Army's first Protected Mobile Fires Battery at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland. Equipped with the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer, the battery provides 3rd Brigade with a protected, mobile and highly responsive 155mm artillery capability that can rapidly manoeuvre, deliver indirect fire support and quickly displace to enhance battlefield survivability. The milestone follows Australia's first AS9 operator training course at Puckapunyal, Victoria and precedes the battery's initial collective training during Exercise Pozieres Run as Army progresses towards full operational capability in 2028.
Image and article adapted courtesy of Defence
Annual Sunshine Coast Luncheon — Tickets Available Now
Members and friends of RAEME are invited to attend the annual RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon at the Maroochydore RSL on Saturday, 12 September 2026.
This year’s guest speaker will be Suzanne Shipp. Suzanne is a highly accomplished executive with more than 30 years’ experience across engineering, asset management, operations, maintenance and strategic leadership. As Energy Queensland’s first female Chief Engineer, she provides technical stewardship across one of Australia’s largest electricity networks, supporting more than two million customers.
Suzanne began her career in the Australian Army as a member of the 46th Apprentice intake, qualifying as an Electronics Technician before commissioning as a RAEME Engineering Officer. She completed more than 14 years of service and concluded her military career as a Captain.
Since leaving the Army, Suzanne has held senior leadership roles across the energy, manufacturing, digital and defence sectors. She is also a strong advocate for engineering, veterans, men’s health, mentoring and greater diversity across technical professions.
At the September RAEME Luncheon, Suzanne will share insights from her military service and her journey into executive leadership.
The luncheon will include a three-course Gold Plate meal, a presentation by Suzanne, and an update on current RAEME and Association activities.
Tickets are available now through the RAQ website and cost:
- $34 per person for RAQ financial members, serving RAEME members and eligible guests; and
- $54 per person for non-members.
With the standard meal price being $64, the luncheon represents exceptional value through the generous support and subsidies provided by the RAEME Association Queensland and the Maroochydore RSL.
Attendance is limited to 100 guests, so members are encouraged to book early and avoid missing one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Chapter calendar.
Arte et Marte
RAEME Sunshine Coast Chapter
RAEME Annual Get Together 24 - 26 Feb 2027
The RAEME Annual Get Together returns in February 2027 and will celebrate its 10th Anniversary, with another great weekend of mateship, food and Corps camaraderie planned.
Bookings are now open, with a range of meal options available, including the special $50 Value Pack PLUS, which includes Friday and Saturday meals together with 10th Anniversary commemorative items. A special anniversary port and a major raffle featuring a $5,000 Flight Centre voucher will also form part of the weekend.
Accommodation at BP Dam is filling quickly, with cabins, villas and powered sites already booked out, although unpowered camping and some alternative accommodation remain available.
Book online:
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1614051
Exercise Keris Strike 26 - Malaysia
Above: Director Malaysian Army Aviation, Brigadier General Mohd Zaki bin Abu visits Australian Army members from 1st Aviation Regiment, to tour the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance helicopter during Exercise Keris Strike 26 in Sabah, Malaysia.
In July 2026, personnel and Tiger Armed Reconnaissance (ARH) helicopters from the Australian Army conducted Exercise Keris Strike 2026 in Sabah, Malaysia. The trilateral exercise brought together personnel from Malaysia, the United States, and Australia with the intent of building military interoperability between the three nations. The exercise involved an exchange of skills between subject matter experts, a field training exercise, and live fire exercise. For the first time an Australian Army Aviation element from the 1st Aviation Regiment also participated in the exercise.
Image and article adapted courtesy of Defence
Project Coastwatcher - NSW
Above: Australian Army soldiers make Australian Coastwatcher Knives as part of Project Coastwatcher at Tharwa Valley Forge in NSW.
Soldiers recreated a slice of Second World War history at the Tharwa Valley Forge in May, making a new generation of Australian Coastwatcher Knives. The knives are the culmination of 12 months’ work with Project Coastwatcher, an initiative to raise a pathfinding capability using local knowledge, guides and partners.
The first modern knives will be used as gifts during international engagements but will eventually be standard kit for a new Coastwatchers network, to be raised in 1 Brigade.
Image and article adapted courtesy of Defence
