August 2008 Issue 54 AUSTRALIAN ARMY APPRENTICES MEMORIAL

16 Pages·2009·0.42 MB·English

August 2008 Issue 54

The RAEME Association (Victoria) Inc. Incorporation Reg No. A 0022655Z
Patron: Brigadier Conrad Ermert. MSc FIEAust CPEng

President: Peter Cartledge Vice President: Guy Langford
Treasurer: Roma Cox Secretary: Gus Allen
Editor: Pat Marley
16 Clematis Street, Glen Waverley 3150 Print Post Approved: PP 339540061
Phone [phone] Price: $1.10 (Financial Members Free)
email: [email protected]

2008 marks the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the Army Apprentices’ School, at Balcombe Victoria.
There are a number of ex-Army Apprentices in our RAEME Association

AUSTRALIAN ARMY APPRENTICES MEMORIAL
The Australian Army Apprentices Association is to construct a Memorial to all Apprentices at the Memorial
Park, Bandiana, Victoria, which is located adjacent to the Army Museum. The design is being developed by
an ex Apprentice on the basis of proposals agreed by the Association’s Committee. In essence, the Memorial
will centre on a set of gates that were moved from Balcombe when the Apprentices School was relocated to
Bonegilla in January 1983. These gates were constructed by apprentices from the 8th and 10th intakes and
are similar to the main gates (known as the Marine Gates) that provided entry to the parade ground at
Balcombe, but were situated at what was known as the Metal Trades entrance on the Nepean Highway,
about 400 metres south of the main gates.
The gates are currently installed at Latchford Barracks. It is intended to relocate these to the Memorial Park
where they will be a part of a permanent memorial to all Apprentices. The Memorial will be dedicated to all
Apprentices who supported the Australian Army in war and peace, particularly to those who sacrificed their
life in defence of Australia. It will also be available to all Apprentices to permanently record their place as
an Army Apprentice, and as a resting place for their ashes; forever with their mates. Memorial plaques will
be affixed to the gate support walls.
(Extracted from the web-page of the Australian Army Apprentices’ Association Inc)
2 THE LIGHTNING FLASH August 2008

THE RAEME ASSOCIATION Social Events: Peter Cartledge BENDIGO/CASTLEMAINE/
(Vic) Inc. (cid:11) 9802 6406 Ph/Fax HEATHCOTE
C/- Oakleigh Barracks 1318 North Road, Mobile: [phone] Jack Balsillie
OAKLEIGH SOUTH VIC 3167 E-mail: [email protected] 147 The Outlook Bendigo Village

Committee of Management Mandurang Rd.
Social Committee: Spring Gully 3550
President:
Peter & Leonie Cartledge (cid:11) 5443 4803
Peter Cartledge
Reg & Roma Cox
[phone] Ph/Fax
Jeff Gould HOPPERS CROSSING/GEELONG
Mobile: [phone]
Rex Foord
E-mail : [email protected]
Editorial Pat Marley 598 Thompson Rd,
Vice President: (cid:11)9802 0637 NORLANE 3214
Guy Langford E-mail [email protected] (cid:11) 5275 1728
(cid:11) (Home) 9886 5420
Mob: [phone] Promotion Manager: LEOPOLD/ANGLESEA &
E-Mail: [email protected] Aranka Illia PORTARLINGTON
We are looking for a new
(cid:11)9796 4794 (Home)
Secretary:
Representative. (Help Please)

Gus Allen

Kindred Associations and: ANZAC
(cid:11) 9802 5460 (Home) BERWICK/PAKENHAM
House Ross Hope
E-mail: [email protected] WARRAGUL/ MORWELL/
(cid:11) 9583 4665
TRARALGON & SALE
Assistant Secretary:
Bill Slegers
Margaret Hope Unit Representative & Military
25 Main Neerim Rd,
(cid:11) 9583 4665 (Home) Adviser: CAPT Guy Langford
(cid:11) (Home) 9886 5420 DROUIN 3818
Treasurer: (cid:11) 5625 2232 Mobile: [phone]
Mob: [phone]
Roma Cox

(cid:11) 9561 5258 (Home) CRANBOURNE/KORUMBURRA

& WELSHPOOL

Assistant Treasurer: Kevin Moon

Aranka Illia 1 Hawkins St,
(cid:11) 9796 4794 (Home) KORUMBURRA 3950
(cid:11)5655 1545
Welfare & Betterment:
PROVINCIAL
Reg Cox ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION
REPRESENTATIVES
(cid:11) 9561 5258 (Home)
This magazine is produced by the

SUB-COMMITTEE members, for the members, and is not to
be solely one-way communication.

Rules & By-Laws: BANDIANA CHAPTER
John Lee How do you find out what is happening
Secretary: George Reid
(cid:11) 9580 4760 in and around the RAEME
PO Box 231
ASSOCIATION, or in fact RAEME?
Membership: WODONGA Vic 3689 through ‘The LIGHTNING FLASH’ of
Gus Allen
02 60593153 course.
(cid:11) 9802 5460 (Home)
[email protected]

Web Master DISCLAIMER
Guy Langford SEYMOUR CHAPTER The views and articles expressed herein
(cid:11) 9886 5420 David Maddick do not necessarily reflect the policy and
Mob: [phone] (cid:11) [phone] views, official or otherwise, of this
E-Mail: [email protected] Association.

Assistant Web ECHUCA/SHEPPARTON
Harry Ross
Aranka Illia

(cid:11)9796 4794 (Home) 22 Dobinson St,

ECHUCA 3564
Finance: Roma Cox (cid:11) 5480 6794 Let’s hear from you!
(cid:11) 9561 5258
Deadline for November Flash

Welfare & Betterment : Reg Cox BALLARAT/DAYLESFORD Monday 13 October 2008
(cid:11) 9561 5258 George Hepburn
24 Junction St. BALLARAT 3350 Items to Pat Marley,
(cid:11) 5331 3153 Sec. Gus Allen
Pres. Peter Cartledge
August 2008 THE LIGHTNING FLASH 3

PRESIDENT’S REPORT SECRETARY’S REPORT

Presidents Report August 2008 Our last Committee of Management meeting was
held at 3 Recovery Coy at Doveton. It is a fairly
Here we are now almost AGM time again, my new Army Depot with comfortable surroundings.
how the past year has flown by; I think they get
shorter as we get older! On the completion of our meeting the committee
enjoyed the hospitality of the member of the unit
I was very proud to have The Corps Centrepiece in the mess. I wish to thank MAJ Michael
at our Birthday Dinner November last and have Newbond for his generosity in allowing the
requested The Corps Banner for this year’s Association to use the fine facilities.
Birthday Dinner but as you can imagine there are
a number of requests for The Banner. We live in New Members
hope that our request will be successful. Since our last LIGHTING FLASH and over the
past months we have gained several new
Our By-Laws sub-committee is in the process of members:
reviewing and rewriting our by-laws and looking
to see if there are any alterations or additions Mark Ryan
needed to our rules. Damian Arthur
Shane Fox
Our Historic sub-committee are writing up all Stephen Woods
items of memorabilia and to decide where these Ken Chapman
items should be placed.
I heartily welcome them to the RAEME
Your Committee has sent $2,000.00 to the Association.
Queensland Branch of the Association who have Gus Allen
taken over from the NSW branch, sending Secretary
packages of “goodies” called “spanner paks” to
our overseas serving troops who are most
grateful and leaving other Corps troops
wondering if their people have forgotten about
WELFARE REPORT
them. Well done RAEME another first for our

Corps and let the others follow!! These “paks”
A call to Barry Ridgway who is now home but not
have items that have been purchased with the
the best, he has difficulty standing and walking.
funds provided and from generous sponsor
He sends his regards to all.
companies. In a year or two it will be a job for

another branch to get involved but wouldn’t it be
On the home front, my wife Roma & I went to
great if there was no need for our troops to be
Maldon for a quiet weekend with our Daughter
overseas!
and Son in Law.

May I remind you all that our Annual General
Upon arrival at Maldon Roma suddenly took very
Meeting will be held on 31st August 2008 @1100
ill and was in a lot of pain. Roma spent the night
hrs in the Model room Oakleigh Barracks,
in the Bendigo Base Hospital.
followed by a Barbeque luncheon in the covered

area outside the Messes one of which will be
Tests over night proved the problem to be Renal
open.
Colic. Later further tests were carried out at

Monash Medical Centre. I am pleased to report
Details elsewhere in this ‘Flash.
all is now fine.

Peter Cartledge
Reg Cox
President
Welfare Officer
4 THE LIGHTNING FLASH August 2008

Social Report August 2008 Army Apprentices Reunion
Albury/Wodonga
Our reunion was most successful however we 24-26 October 2008
need more members attending as is always the

case!
60th Anniversary of the formation of the

Army Apprentices School at Balcombe,
Following our AGM 31st August next there will
Victoria in 1948
be a Barbeque lunch in the covered area outside
Background
the Sergeants Mess with that Mess open for our The Australian Army
use. Apprentices Association
intends to construct a

Memorial to be located in the
Margaret and Ross Hope together with Leonie
grounds of the Australian
and I had a week away at Numurkah and one of
Army Memorial Park, at Gaza
the things we did was to visit Echuca and Moama Ridge Barracks, Bandiana
area to see firsthand what was offering for our South. The Park is directly
opposite the Army Museum,
Melbourne Cup weekend trip away.
an excellent location, which

already contains several
Our Motel is all ground floor level quite spacious
Memorials honouring various
rooms with most rooms “earmarked” for our use, elements of Australian Army
so please let us know ASAP if you will be joining Military History. The
Memorial page on the website has all the details.
us for a most exciting and very busy time away

that Barry (our Coach Captain, now he will get a
The necessary approvals have been obtained by the
swelled head - our bus driver-that’s better) Marg,
Association, and it is the intention to have the construction
Leonie, Ross and myself have presented before of the Memorial completed by October 2008.
you.
We have decided to further mark this occasion to celebrate

the establishment of the Army Apprentices School, 60 years
If you wish you may “pay-off” the cost of the trip
ago at Balcombe Camp, Victoria. We are hopeful of a very
if this would assist some members but please rest
positive response from the “old boys” from Balcombe and
assured this is NOT a fund raising function, what later those from Latchford Barracks, staff and partners to
you are charged is what it costs your Association attend, and we anticipate our numbers to be around 1500.

to the nearest dollar.
Programme of Events:

The activities will cover the week end of 24 to 26 Oct 08,
You will find a flyer and tear off elsewhere in this
and will be in the Albury City and Bandiana Barracks
Lightning Flash. locations.

Friday 24 Oct 08, afternoon:
Peter Cartledge
The Australian Army Museum has agreed to host our Meet
Social Convener
& Greet function at their premises to be held under semi-
covered accommodation in a compound next door to the
Museum. This is to commence at 2.00pm with a BBQ
dinner served from 5.00 pm. 9.00 pm will see the event
MY LIVING WILL draw to a close. Seating, tables and rest rooms will be more
than adequate. Because of our anticipated numbers and the
Last night, my partner and I were need to have wet and cold weather protection, our choices
in the Albury area were very limited and were about twice
sitting in the living room and I said to
the price. Never the less at that time of year Bandiana can
her, "I never want to live in a vegetative
be somewhat chilly so be prepared. Reunion information
state, dependent on some machine and packs will be distributed as attendees sign in.
fluids from a bottle. If that ever Saturday 25 Oct 08, morning:
Albury City is sponsoring our march through the CBD
happens, just pull the plug."
commencing at 10.00am. We have been fortunate to secure

the services of the Australian Army Band. This is not a long
She got up, unplugged the TV, and
march and will conclude with a Civic Reception by the
threw out my wine. Lord Mayor in the City Square.
August 2008 THE LIGHTNING FLASH 5

The Association Secretary Stephen Hladio (28th MSN) will First Aid
be our Parade Marshal on the day. You will all need to be” St John’s Ambulance will be in attendance at all venues.
booted & spurred” with shiny medals, hats, sun screen, etc. Memorabilia
Morning tea will be served at the conclusion of the The Association will have a range of items available for
reception. We believe that the whole activity will be over purchase at the events but as this is early days we are still
by 11.30am. This leaves some free time for intake building the inventory. We intend publish the items
gatherings during the afternoon. available and costs in the near future.
Accommodation
Our Association Patron, Gen Ken Gillespie, Chief of the The Albury / Wodonga area is well served with a full range
Army, (23rd AAS) will be the parade host and we are of accommodation to suit all tastes and requirements. For
seeking VIPs` from the highest level, to review us “passing assistance we suggest that you contact Albury / Wodonga
by”. Tourism, Renee Phillips on 02 6051 3758, or at
Saturday 25 Oct 08, evening: www.destinationalburywodonga.com.au
Commencing at 6.00 for 6.30pm the Reunion Dinner will Renee can guide or arrange your needs or you may source
get underway. This will include a 3 course sit down meal, your own. At this time of the year we are “the activity” in
probably a beef / chicken alternative, but special dietary town, but that could change anytime so you are encouraged
requirements will be available, just let us know when you not to leave it too long to organize.
register. Again we will be inviting dignitaries’ to share this Weather
evening as our guests. That will lead to the inevitable The Albury / Wodonga area is normally quite pleasant at
speeches, but I promise they will be few and brief. Music of this time of year but I’d keep the brolly and raincoat fairly
the times will come from the DJ, but I’m confident that a close to you.
few of those AAS Musicians given half a chance under the Finally
baton of Stephen Hladio may do us a treat as well. The This reunion is about renewing the bonds and friendships
setting for the Dinner is the Albury Convention Centre, that were forged a lifetime ago.
Swift St. This is where we formed up for the parade earlier Sadly we will reflect on our missing friends who are no
in the day and, which whilst being the biggest venue in longer with us, but we will rejoice in the company of
Albury; it can only accommodate 750 bodies. lifetime mates, who together, so proudly trained and served
the nation.
Tables will be set for 10 people, and Groups / Intakes will If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact
be able to reserve a table provided that: me, email preferred
1. full payment for the table has been made, ie, $ 450.00,
2. occupants are listed by name, and Don’t miss this one, travel safely and let’s meet up in
3. a nominated contact name (table captain) with mobile October 08.
number is submitted. Frank Maloney (Speed) 13th Intake VM
This evening should be concluded no later than 11.30pm. Chairman Reunion Organizing Committee
To ensure your place at this “night of nights”, we can only [email protected]
suggest that you plan your numbers, and book early. 0418 728 181
Sunday 26 Oct 08, morning:
The Memorial Dedication Ceremony is to commence at
10.00am at the Army Museum Memorial Park, Gaza Ridge
Barracks, at Bandiana South. Again the Army band will be
in attendance and the ceremony is to be managed by our
Secretary Stephen Hladio, who as you can see will be a

busy boy over this weekend. We would like to see the same

dress turnout as we had for the Albury Parade. We are

delighted that the Dedication Service is to be conducted by

ordained Apprentices. Edward Henry (Ted) HALLAS

Sunday 26 Oct 08, 12.30pm
Died 11 May 2008
A Gourmet BBQ luncheon with refreshments will be
12th Intake Army Apprentice Electrician
available from midday back at our Friday night venue and
Army Apprentice Classmate and
this will continue until 4.00pm when our festivities come to
50-year-long friend of Editor Pat Marley
an end. This is another opportunity for intake members to

get together for a few hours.
Wesleigh (Wes) Tabe

Matters General Died April 16, 2008

Car Parking

The Bandiana Base Support organization have assured us
Norman Creek
that they will provide adequate secure car parking, guides
Died April 19, 2008
etc inside the Bandiana Barracks area and close to where
the action will be for both our functions. Dedicated parking
facilities for the Saturday march could not be arranged in
Albury, so you are on your own.
6 THE LIGHTNING FLASH August 2008

Bandiana Chapter AICW F88 Rifle
AGM
Our Chapter AGM was held on 6 April at the Stump Hotel and
was well attended and the committee members for 2008-2009 are:
President: Andy Turner, Secretary: George Reid, Treasurer: Mike
Kusternig, Committee: Jack Colville, Ian Deegan, Phil Stephenson
and a new committee member welcomed aboard ; Anthony
Heald. Our thanks to Alex Wolf for his time on committee.

Our guest speaker was Ray Norman, President RAQ who
informed us of the Spanner Pack project.

Colonel Commandant
We are pleased that Brian (Buck) Jones has been appointed as
Colonel Commandant for Victoria and Tasmania. He is one of our
founding Chapter members. As he gets around and you meet him
you will understand what a great choice he is for the role.

Spring Dinner Rate of fire: 650 rounds per minute (for 5.56mm barrel) Capacity: 30
When the nomads are back and the winter hibernation is eases the rounds (5.56mm) magazine plus 3 40mm rounds in the G/L barrel
Committee will be planning our Annual Dinner to be held in
Spring time. Our planning for this will be for a less formal and The AICW (Advanced Infantry Combat Weapon) is a joint development
of the Australian DSTO (Government operated Defence Science and
more social occasion than what we had planned last year.
Technology Organisation), and private companies Metal Storm and Tenix

Defence.
RAEME Seminar
The Corps Seminar is planned for October with its dinners and This development has been carried out since the turn of 21st century,
BBQ. Chapter members will again be attending the dinners and closely following the concept of the American XM29 OICW system.
BBQ and helping as required. Overall, ICW represents the modular weapon system that combines the
5.56mm rifle/carbine component as a host (basic) platform with 40mm
Andrew Turner multi-shot grenade launcher (G/L) module and multi-purpose electro-
optical sighting system, which can be used to fire either rifle or G/L
President
component, and also can provide recon data to external "consumers" such
RAEME Association (Vic.) Inc.
as tactical computers.
Bandiana Chapter
02 60561946 The host rifle component of the AICW is the updated Australian-made
F88 rifle, which is a license-built Steyr AUG. However, the basic F88 rifle
has been extensively modified to accept other elements of the system - for
ANZAC DAY 2008
example, receiver has been upgraded to receive the G/L module at the top,
and the buttstock has been enlarged to accomodate G/L electronic fire
contol module

Other changes include modification to the safety and trigger arrangements
- AICW system has a single trigger for both weapon components (5.56
and 40mm), and a three position (safe - rifle - G/L) safety/selector switch
at the side of the pistol grip.

The most interesting part of the AICW weapon is the multi-shot
Metal Storm 40mm grenade launcher, which looks like a single 40mm
G/L barrel but contains three 40mm projectiles stacked one behind the
Nothing new Gus Allen, Jack Westerhagen & Kevin Moon another. These projectiles are launched using the electric ignition
Bruce Williams, Reg Cox (1st time for several years for impulses, provided by the fire control module built into the buttstock of
still at the Bar. Kev) the host rifle.

Since the muzzle velocity of these projectiles is slightly more than usual
for 40mm handheld G/L (95m/s instead of 75m/s), host rifle
incorporates the recoil reduction buffer, that allows the Metal Storm G/L
barrel to recoil against the spring, decreasing the peak recoil impulse.

The top of the receiver hosts the multi-role sights of various type and
make. At the AICW VX3 live fire demonstrations that took place in
the summer of 2005, AICW prototypes were displayed with ITL Viper
multi-purpose rifle sight (that incorporates laser range-finder and digital
Leonie Cartledge & Marg Hope Doug Brazier Margaret Hope,
compas), or with Vinghog Vingsight Fire Control System. At the present
(The Workers) Ross Hope, (2 Visitors from
time (late 2005) AICW prototypes have not yet fired 40mm grenades with
Dandenong) (Ex REME),Mal &
live warheads, nor incorporated an airburst facility. However, it is stated
Inez Drechsler. Happy times
that it is possible to easily adapt most of the existing 40mm grenade
warheads to the Metal Storm technology, including air-bursting grenades
that are now in development in several countries.

At the present time AICW weapons are available only as the
"3rd generation technology demonstrators", that completed first live-fire
trials (as a complete system) in the summer of 2005.
Sandra Williams, May Collins,
(visitors Joan Williams, Pat John) Current Australian MOD plans state that ADF may start to purchase
enjoying the day AICW systems in around 2010-2012
August 2008 THE LIGHTNING FLASH 7

BLUEBELL Next stop was the “Sixties National Service Camp Site”,
which is only now half its original size, as both A and B
August 2008
company lines have been removed. C and D company
News from R.A.E.M.E. Veterans
barracks and mess block have all been refurbished and
Southern Chapter look quite smart. The total area securely fenced off and it
looks more like a prison. Unfortunate sign of the times

we live in. Had lunch at the mess, which was great.
Committee
Fortunate sign of the times, with Spotless handling the
catering. Biggest disappointment was no more Area
President : Dennis Clarke H. 9848 6757 M. 0409 Workshop building with the huge RAEME letters, which
518744 E. [email protected] had been there since the “Fifties”. Arriving and leaving
Vice-President : Ross Smith H. 03 5983 1647 the military area you are no longer met with those all too
Secretary : Dennis Meek H. 9798 3452 E. friendly chaps with the red lanyards, but a happy smile
[email protected] from the civvy Chubb Security fellow.
Treasurer : Bill Slegers H. 03.5625 2232 M. 0419
136149 E. [email protected] Sadly attended the funeral of John Leslie Dunstan along
with Rocky Gerzina and Mick Carroll. John was a
The last General Meeting was held at Traralgon RSL and RAASC driver with 1 ALSG AT Vungers. Post Vietnam
although our next meeting was to be in Warnambool, he became along with John Meehan, Paul Curran and a
due to circumstances beyond our control that could not band of dedicated helpers a pension advocate where he
happen. We have moved the next meeting to Box Hill made a huge effort to assist fellow veterans and
RSL, with the following meeting to be held at countless widows gain their pensions. This Association
Warnambool. Spotted past vice president Jim extends our condolences to his family, mates and Noble
Saddington cleaning up the lawn bowls competition at Park VVAA and RSL, where he will be sadly missed.
Traralgon. In his position as president of their club it was
good to see him leading from the front. ANZAC Day March
RAEME Viet Nam now have permission to have the
Ray Norman was at the last RAEME Association 102Fld. Wkshp and 1Fld Wkshp banners in the march
Victoria meeting, held at 3 Recovery Unit at Dandenong behind the existing RAEME and 106 Fld Wkshp ones.
to update us on the “Spanner Pack” operation, which was John Scully kindly joined us to lead this year’s march in
initiated by the NSW RAEME Association, now run by place of Conrad Ermet, who was on a well earned
the Queensland RAEME Association which has Ray as holiday.
its representative. He outlined how it all operates.
Victoria has made a financial contribution to this cause Dave Mc Callum advises me that 1 Div S T Wksp had a
and will have their turn at organizing it next. Thank you most successful re-union in Canberra as part of the
Ray for the effort, as I am sure all the Bluebells will Balmoral- Coral Anniversary. No further re-unions are
appreciate them, as we did when we would receive planned for 1 Div S@T Wksp at this stage.
something from home.
Viet Nam Veterans Day – 18 th August 2008 40 th
Sick List Anniversary of the Battles for FSB Coral/Balmoral
Col Joe Smith is in a critical condition in Townsville
Hospital as a result of a motorcycle accident. 0900 Hrs Gunfire Breakfast Northern Forecourt
Thank you Laurie O’Dwyer for the email. Our prayers 1130 Hrs Marchers form up at northern forecourt
and thoughts are certainly with Joe as he fights he way to [ behind RAEME banner]
recovery. March Leader will be Royal Australian Regiment
John Forster had a visit to hospital for some treatment Association [60TH anniversary of the Regiment]
for his heart. 1200 Hrs March Step Off
Mick Latimer is now out of hospital and recovering. Guest Speaker will be Brig. Neil
Peter Bassett and Harold Baker are both unwell. We Weekea AM MC [Retd] – Coral Veteran
wish them both a speedy recovery. VIPs: Victorian Governor and Premier, Senior ADF
Officers and Senior /ESO
Puckapunyal Representatives.
Had a visit to the “Armoured Corps Museum” recently.
Good to see they had a RAEME exhibit as well. I Honour the Dead but
believe the ARV they have on display was the one Fight Like Hell for the Living
driven by ex - Victorian Brian Willis. [ The “crafty” with
the rather large moustache]. See You There
8 THE LIGHTNING FLASH August 2008

“I went to Portsea, spent 12 months there and was
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December
1972.”

He said he had many career highlights since then,
including being selected to work in the UK as an
instructor. “I worked at the Royal School of Military
Engineering in1986- 87,” he said. “Other career
highlights were being promoted to Lt-Col, selected as
the contingent deputy and ops officer for the
contingent to Namibia.

“As a senior officer I have commanded troops in
Timor Leste, have held the position of Land
Commander and now the VCDF, so I’ve had a lucky
but truly rewarding 40 years,” he said.
Lt-Gen Gillespie said the most challenging aspect of
his career so far, would be trying to continue to stay
fresh in his job.

“I worked hard to try and remain agile of thought and
mind and not become one of those generals who sits
there, has no fresh ideas and revels in the good old
days,” he said. “You have to keep to your ideas and be
prepared to morph yourself and the organisation into
something that is ready for the next war and not the

past war.”
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington

MOST soldiers aim to serve 20 years, then retire and
On reaching the 40 year milestone Lt-Gen Gillespie
move onto another career. Not so the VCDF, Lt-Gen
said he has hardly noticed the time pass since his
Ken Gillespie, who last month reached the milestone
enlistment day in 1968. “It’s passed in a heart beat,”
of 40 years service.
he said. For serving Army members Lt- Gen Gillespie

said he liked to think that his career experience could
Lt-Gen Gillespie joined the Army at Brisbane on
be seen as an example of what was possible in the
January 15, 1968, aged 15 years. He said he did not
ADF today. “If you are prepared to take your
know why he joined; it was always a life long
opportunities, work hard and make successes of them,
ambition, even at that early age.
you can travel from apprentice brick layer to General

and I don’t think there are too many military forces in
“When I was a little kid on a farm, I listened to a radio
the world where that can happen,” he said.
drama based on the events of WWII in the Pacific; it

used to support CMF recruiting in those days,” Lt-
Lt-Gen Gillespie said he was unsure what path his
Gen Gillespie said. “It was sort of the soldier’s
future in the Army would take. “The Government will
version of Biggles and it fired me up and made me
make up its mind about the new Defence leadership
want to be a soldier.” Lt-Gen Gillespie joined the
team in July,” he said. “Whether I am a part of that or
Army not as an officer, but as an apprentice.
not is a matter for the Government, so my horizons for

the rest of my military career could be as short as the
“I was a brick layer and completed my four year
next four or five months, or it could be a while
apprenticeship at the Apprentice School at Balcombe
longer,” he said. “If I serve on I will do it gladly and
in Victoria,” he said. “It was good for a young kid, it
put my efforts into it.
was a college life, there was a lot of sport and

excitement, with little parental supervision. “It was
“As to what I will do after the Army, I don’t know
good fun.”
what I will do at the moment. It is a debate between

my wife and I at present and she certainly sees me as a
During his apprenticeship he realised he had to do
continuing member of the work force!”
something else if he was going to stay in the Army, so

he decided to become an officer. “Luckily I passed the “Army” February 7, 2008
selection process on the completion of my
apprenticeship,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said.
August 26, 2007
[RAEME ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA (INCORPORATED)
AGM – MINUTES CONDUCTED ON 26 AUG 2007]
AGENDA
1. Attendance 10. Proposal of a Life Member
2. Apologies 11. Appointment of Auditor
3. Silent Tribute – the Ode 12. General Business
4. Confirmation of minutes of 13. RAEME Corp shop items
16th AGM – 28th Aug 2006
14. Other general business
5. Business Arising from
15. Election of Committee of Management for
previous minutes
2007 – 2008
6. Presidents Annual Report
16. Date of 18th Annual General Committee
7. Report on Chapters
17. Closure of the meeting
8. Annual Financial Report
18. 26 Aug 2007
9. Sub-Committee Reports
Time Notes Comments
11:15 The meeting was declared open by the President
11:15 Last Post and Reveille is played, with the Ode
11:16 Introduction of the AGM by Mr Peter Cartledge, President of the
RAEME Assoc (VIC)
11:20 The President introduced the reports that were attached to the AGM It is noted that the AGM package
document package and invited member to read the reports as tabled will be emailed out to members in
advance before the next AGM
Reports from the Chapters are also included in the document package
Minutes from the previous AGM were offered as read
Moved: Guy Langford, Seconded: David
Minutes from the previous Chapter reports were offered as read
Moved: Allan Hawkins, Seconded: Geoff Bell
The Financial reports were offered as submitted and as read No queries from the reports were
Moved: Bruce Williams, Seconded: Neil Charter tabled, all accepted as submitted
11:25 Life Membership of John Lee, introduced by the President, with a reply Notes:
by Bruce Williams, including the foundation of the RAEME Assoc Inc.
• John served as a key president
editing and delivery of the rules, organising of the move to the Oakleigh
Barracks site. This was replied (seconded) by Ross Hope as read by the • Is also the Chairman of
President as Ross was unable to be present. trustees
John Lee’s Reply:
• Mentor of current president
Starting up the Assoc as a going concern and moving to Oakleigh
barracks was the first stage. Incorporation was a major achievement that • Historian to Mentone RSL
I was able to preside over and was referred to as Stage 2 of the
• Ex design and safety engineer
invigoration of the RAEME Assoc, with inclusion of the Chapters as
of long standing
Stage 3. This series of actions has led to an increase in the gene pool for
the association and has carried the assoc forward. Unlike many other • Peter presented the Life
association that have folded in recent times. John admitted he was very Membership badge to John
proud to receive this award and thanked the association and all present Lee
very much
For: All Present, Against: None

The appointment of an Auditor is still open as a vacancy, this is an
11:35 honorary position and it needs to be filled
11:37 Appointment of a Marketing Committee to be decided, with the Notes by Allan Rogers:
following members:
• Peter spoke of the loss of the
• Bruce Williams as the head of this sub committee older members of the
association
• Current GRES member
• Focus for this committee
• A number of present assoc members
needs to be on younger
Minutes taken by Guy Langford – at Oakleigh Barracks 9 | P a g e
RAEME ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA (INCORPORATED)
AGM – MINUTES CONDUCTED ON 26 AUG 2007]

Time Notes Comments
The outline of activities are listed as follows: members
• Canvas personnel in Melbourne area regarding membership
options
Marketing Committee to formulate a plan:
• Golf day
• Operating as an autonomous body
11:42 Discussion of Project Focus This will concentrate all of the
RAEME GRES units and personnel will be pulled into a brigaded RAEME personnel in one place
formation, in the Watsonia area, as a pooling of RAEME personnel. (Watsonia) on a number of
weekend per year
11:45 WO1 Allan Hawkins replies. Bruce Williams comment:
This project involves the centralisation of all logistic elements in the Committee needs to discuss and
Watsonia area. Commencing on 1 Nov 07. GRES members will parade decide on the levels of support for
in their home location (own unit) on either a Tues or Wed night, with this change.
weekend parades at Watsonia to conduct repair and maintenance work. Perhaps this could include the
3 or 4 weekends a month will be allocated for RAEME maintenance alternating of sites for the AGM /
activities to support BDE units. Planning will be based on 3 month Committee meetings between
cycle. More info will be handed about when it has been formulated. Oakleigh, Watsonia and 3
Thanks to WO1 Allan Hawkins for his brief Recovery.
11:53 Secretaries report
A general increase in membership has been produced by the
incorporation of the Chapters, with a total figure of around 355 members
as at the date of this AGM
11:55 Elections for new Executive Committee members: Mr Geoff Gould was unsuccessful
All committee positions declared vacant. All members of the current in his bid for election to the
committee were asked to re-stand. executive committee.
More nominations were received than vacant positions, therefore a secret
ballot was conducted to elect the nominated members. Nominating
members were elected as nominated by secret ballot. Votes were taken
and collected, with John Lee invited to be the Returning Officer.
• Margaret Hope resigned as Minute taker and was thanked for
her commitment and persistence in the time she was the minute taker for
the association.
Minutes taken by Guy Langford – at Oakleigh Barracks 10 | P a g e