RAQ Sunshine Coast Luncheon 2025
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, the Gold Coast and Darling Downs. Visitors to SE QLD at the time are also very welcome.
We are pleased to confirm that our guest speaker is Colonel Piers Cambridge, Colonel Commandant Queensland.
Details of the lunch are as follows:
- Cost - RAEME Association of Queensland (RAQ) financial members the cost is $32.00 per member and $32.00 for the members first guest. For non RAQ members the cost is $52 per person.
- Timings - 12:00 for 12:30 start
- Dress - Neat Casual, prefer long trousers (although tailored shorts is acceptable) with collared shirt and shoes must be worn. Some people choose to wear a tie, but not essential.
- Seating arrangements- We do a seating plan to accommodate specific requests, otherwise we mix it up a bit to allow all former RAEME members and their partners to reminisce about their service. If you have a specific request to sit with someone or a particular party we will do our best to accommodate. Email us at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - RSVP - 1 September 25.
- 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.
Reserve a Seat(s). Function reservation is now set up on the RAQ website and you will be able to book and pay for tickets through this medium. Please note that we are limited to 100 subsidised guests, so get in early. Most importantly, the lunch is subsidised by both the Maroochy RSL and the RAQ, which makes the cost of the lunch a very competitive $32.00 per head for RAQ members and Serving RAEME Members, including partners; and $52.00 per head for non-members. This is excellent value for a three course gold level sit down menu with an alternative drop. If there are specific dinning requirements eg: vegan, gluten intolerance, lactose free then please let us know and arrangements will be made. Note that this function is heavily subsidised by the RAQ for financial members.
To make sure you get your subsidised price, you can join the RAQ at: https://qld.raeme.org.au/index.php/membership
Whichever way you wish to secure your booking(s), they need to be made and paid for by COB Wednesday 20th August 2025, as we need to confirm numbers with the venue management.
No matter your background, you are encouraged to arrange tables for special friends from your early training whether you are an Adult Trainee, Army Apprentice, OCS, OTU or Duntroon graduate, or some other establishment, unit or locations where you may have served together – please let us know if you wish to form a table (max 8 pers) with friends and every effort will be made to accommodate your request.
If you have any difficulties booking or paying electronically, please email the Webmaster at:
If you have any questions please email us at:
Sponsors
Speakers
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Colonel Piers Cambridge CSM
Piers Cambridge was born in Adelaide in 1971 and joined the Army in July 1990. Graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in December 1991, he was commissioned into the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. After nearly 34 years of service to Army, Piers retired from the Army in April 2024.
As a junior officer, Piers served in Logistics Command and Land Command Units in Puckapunyal, Albury/Wodonga and Townsville. In 1999 Piers deployed to East Timor as part of INTERFET. On promotion to Major in 2001 he assumed the appointment of Staff Officer Grade Two Combat Service Support Doctrine at the Land Warfare Development Centre. His subsequent posting as a Major was as a Company Commander at the 10th Force Support Battalion. In January 2005 he deployed to Operation SUMATRA ASSIST as the Operations Officer for the Joint Force Support Group. On return to Australia in March 2005, Piers was appointed the Operations Officer of the 10th Force Support Battalion.
In 2006 Piers completed Australian Command and Staff College and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted to Army Headquarters in a capability development/project delivery role. In this appointment he was responsible for influencing logistic information systems development for Army. Piers was subsequently posted to Townsville as the Commanding Officer of Joint Logistics Unit (North Queensland) in June 2008. This was a busy period as the Unit grappled with logistics reform, facilities rebuild and supporting operations, including supporting pre-deployment exercises and equipment fleets.
In 2010, Piers was fortunate enough to be selected to be an Exchange Officer with the US Army. This took him to Virginia USA, where he worked in the Concepts and Capabilities Division at the Combined Arms Support Command, Fort Lee Virginia. During this appointment he was seconded to work directly for the Commanding General to develop a white paper detailing how Sustainment in the US Army will transform to meet ‘Army 2020’; this paper shaped priorities for capability acquisition, revised organisational structures and operating concepts.
On return to Australia in 2014, Piers was posted to Army Headquarters in Canberra where he took up an appointment running a Directorate that was responsible for delivering ICT projects in Army and more broadly Defence. This included the Defence Enterprise Resource Planner (ERP) Project. He was promoted to Colonel in 2020.
On retirement in 2024, Piers fulfilled a long-term wedding promise to return his wife (Katrina) to her hometown of Brisbane! Dutifully he purchased a house in Redland Bay where he and Katrina are enjoying a change of pace and a warmer climate. Katrina has established herself as a primary school teacher at Victoria Point, while Piers is busy fishing (not catching!!) and target shooting and attending to some part-time work.
Piers is particularly grateful to have been appointed by the Chief of Army as the Colonel Commandant Queensland for RAEME. This is a great opportunity to continue the great work of COL Steve Evans and remain connected to the professional and inspiring soldiers and officers of RAEME. Piers looks forward to meeting you either through RAEME Association QLD Events or work activities.
