All Ranks 79th Corps Birthday Luncheon Brisbane 2021
An invitation is extended to all current and past members of RAEME and friends of RAEME to attend our Annual All Ranks Luncheon. This year we celebrate the 79th Anniversary of the establishment of the Corps and the luncheon provides an opportunity for all "Bluebells" celebrate our achievements.
We are very honoured to have LTCOL Ross Thomas CSC, CO 7CSSB as our Guest Speaker. Ross is a 48th Class Electronics Army Apprentice graduating in 1994. He received a Conspicuous Service Cross in the the Queen's Birthday Honours this year for his devotion to duty as the Staff Officer Grade One – Program Sustainment, in Logistics Branch, Army Headquarters.
Venue: Port Office Dining Room, Brisbane CBD (Port Office Hotel) Corner Edward and Margaret Streets.
Timings: 1130 hrs pre luncheon gathering for 1230 hrs start, finishing at 1700hrs
Meal: Entree, Main (3 way alternate drop), desert (cake) tea and coffee.
Drinks: Drink package included for the first hour once seated (after the first hour drinks are own expense)
Dress: Smart Casual - Gents Tie please
RSVP: Registrations close Sunday 21 November. If you have any dietary requirements please
Reserve a Seat. Limited Numbers to a maximum 110 tickets. RAQ Financial Members and up to one guest receive a discount of $10 per ticket (Max $20 per member).
| Ticket | Price (Per Person) | |
| Financial RAQ Member or Serving Soldier or one Member/Soldier guest | $55.00 | |
| Email Affiliates, Non-Members & extra Guests | $65.00 |
TICKET SALES NOW CLOSED
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Please make up a table of RAEME friends and guests. Tables of eight to ten available or part thereof. As this is a limited event, bookings generally go very fast, so book a seat or table now! If you wish to request specific seating or arrange a group table, please
Conditions:
- Once purchased and paid for, tickets are non-refundable
- Guests must comply with the Port Office Hotel conditions of entry http://portofficehotel.com.au/
- Tickets have no cash value
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Speakers
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LTCOL Ross Thomas CSC
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas joined the Australian Regular Army as an Electronics Technician in 1993, serving in a number of units in the 7th Brigade where he was awarded a Soldier’s Medallion for Exemplary Service. He then graduated RMC in 2004, returning to RAEME and serving in a number regimental and command appointments in the 3rd Brigade, an instructional role at the Royal Military College-Duntroon, sub-unit command in Special Operations Command and a range of appointments in Army Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas’ first appointment was as Platoon Commander in the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion. Upon promotion to Captain, he was posted to the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment as Technical Support Troop Commander before being posted to Headquarters 3rd Brigade as the S55, where he was responsible for the readiness, management and mounting of all contingency and operational forces. During his time in 3rd Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas completed three deployments on OP ASTUTE, where he was awarded a Deputy Chief Joint Operations Command Commendation – Bronze for his contribution to the pre-deployment training and logistic support to Timor Leste Battle Group-6. In 2011, he was temporary promoted to Major and deployed on OP SLIPPER as OC Admin Coy for Mentoring Task Force-3.
In 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was posted to the Royal Military College – Duntroon as an Instructor in I Class before promotion and appointment as OC Logistic Support Company, 2nd Commando Regiment. In this appointment, he enabled Special Operations through support to OP 'Bring Them Home' and OP PARAPET before deploying to Iraq on OP OKRA as both the XO of SOTG 632 and OC CSST. Highlights of this deployment include coordinating the deployment sequence of personnel and capability and the establishment and maintenance of governance systems and reporting. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in recognition of his efforts.
In 2016, he graduated from Australian Command and Staff College, achieving a Distinction in a Masters in Military and Defence Studies before being posted as the Staff Officer to Chief of Staff-Army Headquarters. In November 2017, he deployed on OP HIGHROAD as the Chief of Staff of the General Command of Police Special Units Special Operations Advisory Group in Kabul, Afghanistan. This was an extremely challenging post, coordinating the efforts of the Headquarters and the 14 Special Operations Advisory Teams to achieve unprecedented expansion and growth in the Afghan Special Security Forces. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was awarded a United States Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his service.
In 2019, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was appointed as SO1 Program Sustainment within Land Capability Division. In this role, he gained insight into higher Defence processes and considerations and a thorough appreciation of the capability challenges in Army’s contribution to the joint land force across all phases of the Capability Life Cycle. In this role, he transformed the prioritisation of Army sustainment finances and funding pressures, and was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in recognition of his work.
In 2021, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was appointed as Commanding Officer of the 7th Combat Service Support Battalion. In this role, his main effort is to provide combat service support effects to 7th Combat Brigade, enabling manoeuvre in training and operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas is married to Marcha and they have two daughters, Chloe 18 and Natasha 17. His interests include mountain biking and a number of water sports including fishing, skiing and wakeboarding.
Going
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Kingsley Pocock -
Jon Westerland -
Shane Berrell & Lee Andrews -
Peter & Deanne Matthews -
Ross & Leonie Grant -
Karen & Raymond Norman -
Gary & Lynell Sargent -
Suzanne Maurice -
Jeffrey Maurice
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Brian & Barb Daley -
Geoffrey Small -
Ewan & Margaret McLeod -
Ian Leabeater -
Leo Galligan -
Barry & Kay Skinner -
Ernie & Roz Hartshorn -
Cedric Payne -
Derek Stevenson -
Tony & Alison Borg -
Terry & Tina Bodle -
Ty & Loralie Bodle -
Pete & Sandra Pile -
Paul Spresser & Erica McLeod -
Peter & Michelle Thompson -
Phillip & Debbie Gibbs -
Paul Gibbs CSM -
Barry & Susie Shipway -
Rob De Visser -
John Rathbone -
Les & Pat Edis -
John & Kath Kingston -
Graeme & Susan Clement -
Walde Breton & Tanya Ord -
Bob Millar -
Di Millar
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Adrian & Yvonne Butcher -
Martin & Janine Fisher -
Ron & Leona Parrello -
Lynette Yates -
Peter Yates
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Michael Patman -
Paul Kinnane & Trish Cranfield -
Ed Smeaton & Simone Pennisi
