RAQ NQ Gathering - Saturday 14 December 2024 - Townsville

Above: Alison Bird and Gus Angus toast 2024!

The RAQ-NQ wrapped up the year in style with a festive gathering on Saturday, 14 December 2024, at the Kirwan Tavern in Townsville. Over 60 members and guests came together to celebrate the end of what has been a busy and rewarding 2024, marking another successful year for the association in the NQ region.

Above: L-R CPL Ben Woodhouse, CFN David Gadsen, CPL Thomas Couper, WO1 Paul Vonow, MAJ Kevin Moran and WO2 Greg Jones.

The afternoon was filled with plenty of fun. Highlights of the event included two $100 member draws won by Craig Gordon and Wayne Nutchey, a RAEME coin lucky door prize won by Brian Robb, and a $150 meat tray raffle won by Paul Dean, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy.

The RAQ-NQ gathering provided an excellent opportunity for a post RAEME Birthday gathering and look forward to the exciting activities planned for 2025. The next gathering is scheduled for late February 2025, promising to kick off the new year with the same enthusiasm that defines the NQ events.

Above:L-R Mick Robinson, Simon Hurdel, Mick McMillan, Mark Petrie and  Tony Gordon.

Special thanks go to the RAQ-NQ organising team — Tank Pontifex, Doug Merry, Brian Robb, and Jase Ballard for their hard work and dedication in making this and other events throughout the year such a success.

As the RAEME family in North Queensland reflects on a fantastic year, it’s clear that the bonds continue to thrive. Here’s to another great year ahead for RAQ-NQ!

All the pics are in the Photo Gallery.

Association operations over Christmas and New Year

Above: Bruce Hermann at the recent All Ranks Lunchoen Brisbane has performed another outstanding year, managing our stock and sending orders out Australia wide. Thankyou Bruce! 

This is the last Friday Files for 2024, the next edition will go out in mid to late January 2025. Our website continues to run with all functions available including the posting of any relevant news articles. Looking for some holiday reading check out our latest editions of Spanner News!

Anyone considering joining can do so via the membership page. If you have any questions about membership, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We will continue to send out any relevant Vales or Sick Parades. If needed, please contact our Welfare Officers Barry Shipway and Michael Litka-Fry This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Vale notices are also available on the RAQ Website.

Our Merchandise Officer Bruce Hermann has a full stocking of the latest RAEME Merchandise and will continue to send out shop orders. Please bear in mind the public holidays and we use Australia Post for deliveries. We are 100% reliant on their services for delivery of items purchased. Please make sure you follow their guidance on Christmas cut off dates.

We are already are starting to fill up with functions and events in 2025. All the information is available from our website. If you have information on a proposed event, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our next Association meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February 2025.

5. Quilts of Valor - Mick Patman

Above: L-R Michelle Lafferty, Pamela Hallam and Mick Patman presented his Quilt of Valour.

On Wednesday 4 December 2024 Michelle Lafferty, (Queensland Representative), proudly presented a Quilt of Valour to Michael Patman in recognition of his service. Michael dedicated 32 years to the Corps of RAEME and continues to serve in the Reserves.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Mick’s mother, Pamela Hallam, for crafting the beautiful quilt for her son, and to Jeff Thagoona and Ailsa Boonah for their invaluable contributions to its completion.

Images and Information courtesy of Quilts of Valour

We need your help - RAEME Craftsman magazine articles required

Well, it’s that time of year again where I’m putting the call out for articles for the 2024 RAEME Craftsman. 

If you would like to submit something for publication, the articles need to be Word Docs (preferably without formatting such as double columns, links to footnotes, etc); as these complicate the compilation of the final magazine. The docs can have photos in them, but I also need the photos supplied separately and labelled as they are to appear the document e.g. Pic 1 – team Army etc. 

The deadline for articles will be NLT 14 Dec 24 to allow for the RAEME Birthday articles and photos. Although, I would really appreciate it if we could get articles before that, so I can start working through them. Articles can be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Regards