UQ Gatton Past Students Association Inc

© UQ Gatton Past Students Association Inc. 2009 OMCGatton-167/Oct09 (12)

Past Students who have served with Distinction in the Australian Defence Forces

PeacetimeGeoffrey Bulow

Lt. Colonel Geoffrey BULOW, RFD. He enlisted in the QAC Training Unit when studying for a Diploma in Applied Science. Later when he enrolled at QAC in a Degree Course he transferred back to QAC Training Unit and entered the Offi cer Training Course. Geoff held a number of postings in the Unit before transferring to units in Brisbane. He attended various career courses and was eventually selected to attend the promotion to Lt. Colonel course. On qualifi cation he was appointed as CO Queensland University Regiment, an offi cer training unit at St. Lucia.

Michael Fairweather

Major General Michael FAIRWEATHER, OAM. RFD. He joined the College ARES Unit when enrolled in a Degree course. After obtaining his B.App.Sc. he attended Teachers Training College and was selected for offi cer training. On gaining his commission he held a number of postings at QAC Trg Unit. On promotion to Major he was posted as OC A Company 25 RQR and later after qualifying for promotion to Lt. Col. was appointed CO 25 RQR. On completion of that posting Michael was selected to attend the Joint Services Staff College. He successfully completed the course and held a number of Senior Offi cer postings including Deputy Commandant Canungra and Deputy Commandant Royal Military College Duntroon. On promotion to Brigadier he was posted as Commander 11 Brigade Townsville. On completion of the posting Michael was promoted Major General and posted as Commander Australian Military Cadets and presently is Military Specialist, Defence Export Unit.

Kerry Fitzgerald

Lieutenant Colonel Kerry B. FITZGERALD, ED. He enlisted in the College CMF Unit as a student and after obtaining his commission he held various postings and eventually was appointed its OC. Kerry rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and commanded the 49th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment (The Bushmen’s Rifl es) in the 1970’s.

Kelven Freeman

Lieutenant Colonel Kelven J. FREEMAN, RFD. QDAH 1967. He joined the QAC Training Unit as a student and was Commissioned in the fi rst Offi cer Training Course. Kelven held various postings within the Unit and on attaining the rank of Major was appointed OC of QAC Training Unit. His promotion to Lt. Colonel resulted in his appointment as CO of 25th Battalion, The Royal Queensland Regiment. He is now retired from the Army Reserve.

Christopher Hamilton

Brigadier Christopher HAMILTON. Attended QAC in the late 1970’s and started his military career with the College A Res Unit. After obtaining his Degree he maintained his A Res interests and has served in a number of military roles in both a part time and full time capacity within Australia and overseas. Christopher was OC of the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville in 1999 and a previous posting was Commandant of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Chris has attended the Australian Command and Staff College and the Canadian Staff College and is currently posted as Assistant Commander of the 1st Division.

William Hazard

Lieutenant Colonel William H.L. HAZARD, ED. RFD. QDAH 1958. After enlistment in the College CMF Unit he joined the Queensland University Regiment while undergoing a Degree course in Agricultural Science, and gained his commission. Bill was promoted to Major and in 1969 was posted as OC QAC Training Unit. On qualifying for promotion to Lt. Colonel, he was appointed CO 42nd Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment in 1979. In 1985 he was appointed Senior Instructor at the Reserve Command and Staff College, Brisbane which he held until 1988. He retired from the A Res in 1989. In 1995 he accepted the position of Honorary Colonel of the Regional Universities Regiment of Queensland which he carried out with pride until the unit was disbanded in 1997.

Bill died prematurely in September 2000.

Neville Hodgens

Major Neville W. HODGENS, RFD. QDAH 1953. He enlisted in the College CMF Unit in 1953 after completing his National Service. Neville continued his CMF career while on the College staff, gaining his commission. He commanded the Unit in the 1960’s as a Captain and later as a Major. Nev was responsible for bringing the QAC Training Unit into its role as an Offi cer Training Unit. Following his long career at QAC CMF Unit he became an Instructor at Training Command. He retired from the A Res in 1980.

Ronald McMahon

Major C. Ronald McMAHON, QDH 1967. In 1965 he enlisted in the College CMF Unit and after gaining his Diploma enrolled in the new B.App.Sc degree course. Ron continued his service in the Unit and was selected in the fi rst Offi cer Training Course. After obtaining his Degree he continued on in the A Res, holding various postings at QAC Training Unit. Ron assumed command of the Unit as a Major on completion of Major Kel Freeman’s posting. On the completion of that posting he was appointed OC A Company 25 RQR and from there he retired from the A Res.

Richard Munt

Lieutenant Colonel Richard H.C. MUNT, RFD. QDAH 1957. He joined the CMF while studying at QAHS&C. After graduation he continued his CMF training in North Queensland and later returned to the College as a Lecturer in Poultry Technology. Richard joined QAC Training Unit as a Captain, fi lling the role of Training Offi cer. Promotion to Major saw him transferred to 25 RQR as a Company Commander. After qualifying for promotion to Lt. Col. he was appointed CO 25 RQR. He ended his A Res career as a Senior Instructor at Training Command.

Graeme Roberts-Thomson

Colonel Graeme D. ROBERTS-THOMSON, MVO. RFD. QDA 1968. As a member of the QAC Training Unit he was selected for the fi rst Offi cer Training Course. After gaining his commission Graeme accepted the full time position of ADC to the Governor of Queensland. On completion of this posting he accepted a position with the Protocol Branch within the Premier’s Department. Graeme was admitted as a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) by Queen Elizabeth for his effi cient work. He continued his A Res service and was posted back to the College Unit as a Lt.Col. with the task of upgrading the role and changing its name. The Unit name was changed from QAC Training Unit to The Rural Universities Regiment of Queensland (RURQ), allowing it to draw offi cer trainees from country Universities in Queensland. On completion of the appointment he was promoted to Colonel, fi lling a number of postings in Brisbane.

Ian Rogers

Lieutenant Colonel Ian L. ROGERS, RFD. Ian enrolled in a Degree course at QAC and immediately enlisted in the A Res Unit. He was very quickly identifi ed as offi cer potential and placed in the Offi cer Training scheme. After receiving his commission he held almost every offi cer posting in QAC Training Unit. His promotion to Major resulted in his appointment as OC A Company 25 RQR. Ian was selected for promotion to Lt. Col. and on qualifi cation was posted as CO RURQ as the College A Res Unit was then named. He retired from the A Res on completion of the posting.