Women in RAEME (WIR4)

Name: Women in RAEME (WIR4)
Start: 2026-11-27T18:00:00+10:00
End: 2026-11-27T20:00:00+10:00
Location: The Ship Inn

From 27.11.2026 18:00 until 27.11.2026 20:00

At The Ship Inn

chairman@qld.raeme.org.au

https//www.qld.raeme.org.au

Categories: RAEME Association QLD

Tags: RAEME Queensland

Join the RAEME Association Queensland for Women in RAEME 2026, an evening celebrating the achievements and contributions of women across RAEME, Defence and industry.

Everyone is welcome, including the entire veteran and business community, serving ADF members, Defence and industry representatives, families, friends and supporters.

Our guest speakers are:

Lieutenant Colonel Alison Lee, CSM (Retd).

An aeronautical engineer and former senior Army officer, Alison’s distinguished career included operational service in East Timor and Iraq, appointments within 5th Aviation Regiment, two operational deployments to Afghanistan, and oversight of the introduction of the MRH-90 aircraft into the Regiment.

Alison was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2010 before retiring from the Army in 2013.

She subsequently established a successful career in the defence industry, holding senior logistics and integration roles with Northrop Grumman and Penten. Alison is now Head of Logistics – Australia for PentenAmio.

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical), a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Strategy and Management.

Julie Fedorniak

Julie Fedorniak served in the Australian Army for 21 years, attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two and building a career in vehicle maintenance, technical leadership and training.

Julie completed recruit training at Kapooka in January 1986 and initially served in the Royal Australian Corps of Transport at Oakey. In 1988, she transferred to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME), completing the Vehicle Mechanic Adult Trade Course at the RAEME Training Centre as a member of the 1/88 course.

She spent the following six years serving in several Townsville units. Subsequent postings included the Leopard tank rebuild line at Bandiana and service as Workshop Sergeant with Darwin Logistics Company.

Returning to Townsville, Julie served with the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion before joining the 5th Aviation Regiment, where she became the regiment’s first female “black trades” Artificer Sergeant Major (ASM).

In 2007, Julie served as the North Queensland Technical Training Management Officer (TTMO) in Townsville. After 21 years of Army service, she moved into the civilian sector as Fleet Manager at James Cook University, bringing extensive technical and leadership experience to the role.

Melanie Annand

A Royal Australian Navy veteran, mental health support worker and advocate, Melanie brings more than 16 years’ experience supporting veterans and their families across Australia.

As President of Women Veterans Network Australia, she provides national leadership focused on recognition, connection and better outcomes for women who have served. Her work spans veteran wellbeing, welfare advocacy, crisis support and research into military sexual trauma, with a strong commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred support.

Melanie’s contribution to the veteran community has been recognised through several honours, including Life Membership with RSL Australia for more than 15 years of dedicated service to veterans and their families.

Chontelle Anderson

Chontelle Anderson joined the Australian Army in 2014 as a Vehicle Mechanic and was named ASEME Trainee of the Year in 2016. In 2020, she became the first female Craftsman to undertake an industry secondment with Erebus Motorsport, travelling Australia with the Supercars team.

Her career has included service in Darwin and Adelaide, and three years at the Joint Proof and Experimental Unit – Port Wakefield, where she received a Commander’s Commendation. Now serving with the 14th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, she has helped establish its workshop and prepare it for Initial Operational Capability.

Event details

Date: Friday, 27 November 2026
Time: 6.00 pm–8.00 pm
Venue: The Ship Inn, South Brisbane
Cost: $25 per person

The evening includes inspirational speakers, canapés and a lucky door prize.

RSVP is essential, as places are limited.

Speakers

Chontelle Anderson
Chontelle Anderson began her Australian Army career in 2014, enlisting as a Vehicle Mechanic. From the outset, she distinguished herself by earning the award for Most Outstanding Soldier in her platoon at Kapooka and later being named the 2016 ASEME Trainee of the Year. After completing her on-the-job training, she was posted to the 8^th/12^th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, where she also represented 1 Brigade in netball at the Arafura Games.

In 2020, Chontelle broke new ground as the first female Craftsman to undertake an industry secondment with Erebus Motorsport. Over the following year, she travelled across Australia with the Supercars team, gaining valuable experience in a demanding, high-performance environment. She then returned to Darwin, serving with 1CSR, before taking up a posting in Adelaide and being promoted to Corporal.

Chontelle went on to spend three years at the Joint Proof and Experimental Unit – Port Wakefield, where her logistical support for the ADF’s proof and experimental trials earned her a Commander’s Commendation. She is now posted to the 14^th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, where she has played an instrumental role in establishing the workshop and preparing it to achieve Initial Operational Capability.

Over the past twelve years, Chontelle’s career has been shaped by unique opportunities, rewarding challenges, and continuous learning—experiences that have made her time in the Army thoroughly enjoyable. Away from work, she can usually be found at the beach with her partner and Rottweiler puppy, or tending to her garden.
Julie Fedorniak
Julie Fedorniak served in the Australian Army for 21 years, attaining the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two and building a career in vehicle maintenance, technical leadership and training.

Julie completed recruit training at Kapooka in January 1986 and initially served in the Royal Australian Corps of Transport at Oakey. In 1988, she transferred to the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME), completing the Vehicle Mechanic Adult Trade Course at the RAEME Training Centre as a member of the 1/88 course.

She spent the following six years serving in several Townsville units. Subsequent postings included the Leopard tank rebuild line at Bandiana and service as Workshop Sergeant with Darwin Logistics Company.

Returning to Townsville, Julie served with the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion before joining the 5th Aviation Regiment, where she became the regiment’s first female “black trades” Artificer Sergeant Major (ASM).

In 2007, Julie served as the North Queensland Technical Training Management Officer (TTMO) in Townsville. After 21 years of Army service, she moved into the civilian sector as Fleet Manager at James Cook University, bringing extensive technical and leadership experience to the role.
Lieutenant Colonel Alison Lee CSM (Retd)
Born in Wangaratta, Alison attended Winton Primary School and Benalla High School, before joining the Army and undertaking tertiary studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra completing her Bachelor of Engineering (Aeronautical) in 1997.

Alison undertook a number of junior Army Officer positions including service in East Timor in 1999 as the senior maintenance officer for 162 Reconnaissance Squadron.

In September 2001 Alison was posted to the United States for 2 years. During this posting Alison was deployed to Iraq for six months with the 101^st Airborne Division.

Alison undertook a number of postings within 5^th Aviation Regiment, including Officer Commanding Technical Support Squadron, where she was responsible for the planning and coordination of all aviation maintenance requirements within the Regiment including two operational deployments to Afghanistan and overseeing the introduction of the MRH-90 aircraft to 5^th Aviation Regiment. During this period Alison was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal.

Alison successfully completed Staff College in 2009, and was posted as the Staff Officer to Director General Personnel – Army. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2010, Alison retired from the Army in 2013.

Upon retirement from the Army, Alison accepted a position as the Integrated Logistics Support Manager for Northrop Grumman. She was then promoted to the Director Integration and Support within the same organisation. In 2017 Alison moved to Penten as the Director Logistics, and is now the Head of Logistics-AU for PentenAmio.

In addition to her Engineering degree, Alison holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Management.
Melanie Annand
Women Veterans Network Australia President Melanie Annand is a Navy veteran, mental health support worker, and advocate with more than 16 years’ experience supporting veterans and their families across Australia.

Following her service in the Royal Australian Navy, Melanie dedicated her career to veteran wellbeing, welfare advocacy, crisis support, and community connection. She has extensive experience working alongside veterans experiencing PTSD, social isolation, transition challenges, family impacts, and complex mental health concerns, with a strong focus on trauma-informed and person-centred support.

As President of WVNA, Melanie provides national leadership focused on recognition, connection, and improving outcomes for women who have served. She works closely with government, Ex-Service Organisations, community groups, researchers, and veteran support services to advocate for practical change and increased visibility of women veterans in Australia.

Melanie has contributed to national discussions and submissions relating to veteran wellbeing, military sexual trauma, and service system reform, including contributions to the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee inquiry process. She is also an Associate Investigator with Phoenix Australia and an advisory partner with La Trobe University on research relating to military sexual trauma among serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members.

In addition to her national advocacy work, Melanie has spent many years volunteering within the RSL community in welfare and leadership roles, coordinating veteran support initiatives, education sessions, commemorative services, and social connection programs.

Melanie has been recognised for her contribution to the veteran community through several honours, including a Gold Coast City Council Australia Day Community Volunteer Award, an Australia Day Achievement Medallion, and Life Membership with RSL Australia in recognition of more than 15 years of dedicated service to veterans and their families.

She is currently completing further studies in mental health to continue strengthening her ability to support the veteran community and advocate for meaningful, long-term change for women veterans and their families.