The Association
The RAAC Association (RAACA) was formed in 1946 to enhance the special camaraderie which the corps generates hand in hand with the RAAC units and unit associations across the nation. Our (the RAACA's) purpose is to maintain unity and contact between all RAAC units and members from the day they join the RAAC onwards.
This is achieved, inter-alia, by conducting ANZAC Eve, ANZAC Day, Cambrai Day and other commemorations: prize giving to RAAC graduates; senior high school student scholarships and most importantly by publishing of newsletters.
We have trained advisors to help with any welfare or entitlement concerns. Further we encourage widows to remain in contact so that they can seek our help with any difficulty they may face.
The RAACA is also represented on the Australian Veterans and Defence Service Council (AVADSC) which is the peak body concerning the well being of soldiers old and new. Our submissions to government and defence go direct through the AVADSC to gain emphasis and greater attention.
The corps originates from the Mounted and Cavalry units created in colonial times. It carries the heritage of those units and post Federation Commonwealth Horse in the Boer War, the Light Horse and Machine Gun units of World War I, the Light Horse, Armoured and Special Forces units developed between the wars and deployed in World War II, The Tank, armoured Mobility and Armoured Reconnaissance troops that served and are serving in Vietnam, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently the corps consists of Tank, Reconnaissance, Armoured Mobility and Light Cavalry units.
An RAAC Corporation has been established to gather all RAAC Associations under one HQ for coordination of the annual Congress and lobbying for "issues". The RAACA has chapters in all states (except Queensland where it is represented by the 2/14 LH Association) and the Northern Territory.
Many of our members are also volunteers at the various Corps Museums and Regimental Collections throughout Australia.
The Association has members who served in World War II to the present day, Regular and Reserve. Your membership is crucial to the continued existence of the vital Armoured Corps organisation. Please accept this invitation to join and encourage all fellow Black Hats to do likewise.
Our Executive Committee
Rob Lording CSC CSM
Rob Lording CSC CSM
Rob Lording CSC CSM
President
Rob enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1986 and served as an Infantryman before being commissioned into the RAAC in 1990. He held appointments as a Troop Leader, Squadron Commander and Commanding Officer in 1/15 Royal New South Wales Lancers. He has also had postings to Sydney University Regiment, Australian Command and Staff Colle
President
Rob enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1986 and served as an Infantryman before being commissioned into the RAAC in 1990. He held appointments as a Troop Leader, Squadron Commander and Commanding Officer in 1/15 Royal New South Wales Lancers. He has also had postings to Sydney University Regiment, Australian Command and Staff College, Headquarters 8th Brigade, 2nd Division and Forces Command.
His final posting was as Commander of the 5th Brigade where he led Joint Task Group 629.1 during the response to Operation COVID 19 and Operations Flood Assist 2022. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2016 -17 as the Shift Director in the NATO Combined Joint Operations Center.
Rob had an extensive career in law enforcement with the NSW Police (1984 - 1990) and National Crime Authority (1990 - 1999). He is currently the Senior Director responsible for Global Corporate Security Operations in the Asia Pacific region for Verizon.
Michael Krause AM
Rob Lording CSC CSM
Rob Lording CSC CSM
Vice President
Major General Krause entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, on scholarship in 1980 and graduated to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in 1983.
Major General Krause undertook all his junior regimental appointments in 1st Brigade, as a troop leader in 1st Armoured Regiment and then in 2nd Cavalry Regiment where he serv
Vice President
Major General Krause entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, on scholarship in 1980 and graduated to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in 1983.
Major General Krause undertook all his junior regimental appointments in 1st Brigade, as a troop leader in 1st Armoured Regiment and then in 2nd Cavalry Regiment where he served as Adjutant, Officer Commanding B Squadron, and as the Commanding Officer 2000-01. He commanded 1st Brigade 2008-09.
Major General Krause has served operationally in Iran as a United Nations Military Observer on the UNIIMOG mission in 1990, and in the Solomon Islands as Military Adviser to the Special Coordinator of RAMSI during 2004. He saw a short period of service in Iraq in 2005 and in Afghanistan and East Timor in 2008. He has also served with 1st The Queens Dragoon Guards as a reconnaissance troop leader and was the ADF liaison officer to the USMC at Quantico 2002-03 for which he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal. In 2011-12 he was Deputy Chief of Staff Plans at Headquarters ISAF Joint Command in Kabul where he was responsible for the operational planning of the campaign in Afghanistan. Major General Krause was awarded a Bronze Star for exceptionally meritorious achievements in this warfighting role and also a Commendation for Distinguished Service.
Major General Krause holds a Bachelor of Arts from UNSW, and a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies and Master of Arts (International Relations) from Deakin University. He also holds a Master of Defence Studies from UCA. He is a graduate of Australian Command and Staff College (1995) and is a Member of The Royal College of Defence Studies, UK, (2006).
Major General Krause was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2010 for services to 1st Brigade and senior staff appointments.
Since his transfer from the full-time SERCAT 7 Army in 2013, General Krause is still very active as a SERCAT 3 soldier, mentoring senior officers and staff, and teaching operations and advanced tactics in Army. He has also authored key operational and planning doctrine for the ADF. He was elected as the Vice President of RAACA (NSW) in 2024.
Andrew Hine CSC
Rob Lording CSC CSM
Andrew Hine CSC
Secretary
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hine joined the Regular Army in 1978 and graduated in December of that year. After numerous regimental and staff postings including ADC, Instructor RMC, Military Observer with UNTSO, and staff appointments in AHQ and HQ Training Command – Army he transitioned to both the Reserve and a study program in 1
Secretary
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hine joined the Regular Army in 1978 and graduated in December of that year. After numerous regimental and staff postings including ADC, Instructor RMC, Military Observer with UNTSO, and staff appointments in AHQ and HQ Training Command – Army he transitioned to both the Reserve and a study program in 1999. After completion of the study program he undertook consultancy and contracting roles for Army from 2000 to 2012. He recommenced Reserve duty in 2014, serving with Forces Command, principally in the area of training and exercise control, where he continues to serve. He lives in Sydney.
Brendan Beckett CSM
Phillip Bridie AM ADC
Phillip Bridie AM ADC
Treasurer
Brendan Beckett graduated from the RMC Duntroon in 1984 and completed regimental postings to 1 Armoured Regiment (Puckapunyal) and 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Holsworthy). After 2 years at Headquarters 2nd Division he was posted to British Forces Germany where he undertook his sub-unit command with the Kings Royal Hussars, operating Ch
Treasurer
Brendan Beckett graduated from the RMC Duntroon in 1984 and completed regimental postings to 1 Armoured Regiment (Puckapunyal) and 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Holsworthy). After 2 years at Headquarters 2nd Division he was posted to British Forces Germany where he undertook his sub-unit command with the Kings Royal Hussars, operating Challenger MBT.
After returning from Germany he attended Command & Staff College (Queenscliff) and was posted as the S3 Headquarters 1st Brigade in Darwin. Following this posting he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and posted as the MA to Commander Australian Theatre at Potts Point, Syndey.
Brendan left the service in 2001 and worked across the emergency and crisis management sector in NSW, including within the NSW Government and as a private contractor.
Phillip Bridie AM ADC
Phillip Bridie AM ADC
Phillip Bridie AM ADC
Committee Member
Phillip Bridie was born on 1958 in Sydney. He completed his secondary education at Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne and entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon on scholarship in 1977, completing a Science degree. He graduated in 1981 into the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.
Phillip served as a troop leader in bo
Committee Member
Phillip Bridie was born on 1958 in Sydney. He completed his secondary education at Camberwell Grammar School in Melbourne and entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon on scholarship in 1977, completing a Science degree. He graduated in 1981 into the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.
Phillip served as a troop leader in both the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Armoured Regiment before being promoted to Captain. He was a Tank Squadron Second-in-Command, Regimental Technical Adjutant and Regimental Liaison Officer at 1st Armoured Regiment before transferring to the Army Reserve in 1987 whereupon he remained at the Regiment as a Squadron Second-in-Command.
On promotion to Major in 1990, Phillip served as an Officer Commanding in 4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse. This was followed by time at 3rd Reserve Command and Staff College both as a student on the Intermediate Staff Course, for which he was awarded a Blamey Award, and as a tactics instructor on Junior and Intermediate Staff Courses. He then was posted to Headquarters 4th Brigade. On relocating to Sydney for work in early 1996 he was posted to Headquarters 5th Brigade.
On promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1998, Phillip had the honour of Commanding 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers for three years. Then two years at Land Headquarters as the Projects Staff Officer in Training Branch, followed by one year at Army Personnel Agency - Sydney (APA-S) as Staff Officer Grade One Officer Career Management.
In 2004, Phillip was promoted to Colonel and served as Colonel Projects Land Headquarters before taking up the posting of Director APA-S in 2005. APA-S was responsible for the management of Reservists up to the rank of major in NSW and the ACT. In 2006 he participated in the Senior Officer Development Program travelling to England and Israel to study complex military operations.
In 2007 Phillip was promoted to Brigadier and posted to Headquarters Training Command Army as Brigadier Projects for two years again conducting various projects and inquiries. Thereupon followed the personally rewarding posting from 2009 to 2011 as Commander 8th Brigade. The Brigade consists of seven Army Reserve units and operates in the northern half of NSW from Northern and North Western Sydney to the NSW Queensland Border. Whilst there where many highlights, he is most proud of the operational focus of the Brigade which culminated in the operational generation of Timor Leste Task Group 3. For his service as Commander 8th Brigade, Phillip was made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2012 Honours List. In 2012 Phillip was posted to Headquarters 2nd Division as the Assistant Commander Capability with overall responsibility for the training, workforce planning and capability plans modernisation portfolios including implementation of Plan BEERSHEBA. In 2013 he was then posted to Army Headquarters as Director General Reserve Army.
In 2014 Phillip was deployed on operations with the US 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) as the Deputy Commanding General - Coalition Effects & Transition of Combined Joint Task Force - 10 in Regional Command - East, International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan. Responsibilities included General Officer oversight of sustainment across the spectrum of operations, retrograde operations, and across a wide area of enabling responsibilities including logistics, engineer operations, force protection, communications, enabling Bagram Security Zone operations, and Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) development efforts.
Bob Ferrari OAM
Bob Ferrari OAM
Bob Ferrari OAM
Committee Member
Bob Ferrari was an 11th intake National Serviceman. He served with B Sqn, 1 Armoured Regiment and was posted to South Vietnam in 1969. He was issued a Centurion Tank Commanders Certificate in the field and completed his tour as a tank crew commander.
Bob has served on the RAACA NSW Executive Committee for over 50 years and
Committee Member
Bob Ferrari was an 11th intake National Serviceman. He served with B Sqn, 1 Armoured Regiment and was posted to South Vietnam in 1969. He was issued a Centurion Tank Commanders Certificate in the field and completed his tour as a tank crew commander.
Bob has served on the RAACA NSW Executive Committee for over 50 years and as Vice President for over 20 years. Bob also served as National Secretary to Colonel John Haynes AM when John was President of the RAACA Federal Body. He was part of a small team of three RAACA NSW Executive who lobbied for a decade to have the Army Combat Badge introduced and received one of the first two ever issued in a small ceremony at Russell Offices in Canberra. Bob was made a Life Member in recognition of his service to the Association.
The award of OAM was achieved in 2007 for Bob’s service to underprivileged children via the Apex Children’s Chalet, Smiggin Holes and for his services to Veterans.
Bob spent all of his working life in support of Australia’s Defence;
30 years in Navy Logistics rising to an Executive Senior Manager.
As Chairman and later Deputy General Manager of Australian Defence Credit Union (now Australian Military Bank)
20 years as CEO of a Defence, Electronic Repair Company.
Bob is now happily enjoying his retirement with his wife, Sue and his family.
Keith Schollum
Bob Ferrari OAM
Bob Ferrari OAM
Committee Member
Keith Schollum graduated from the RMC Duntroon in 1975 into the NZ Army’s RNZAC and subsequently joined the Australian Army in Dec 1977. His Armoured Corp experience has seen him posted to 1 (NZ) Scots, 4 Cav Regt, 2 Cav Regt, the School of Armour, B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt and 3/16 Cav Regt US Army Armor School. He was OC B Sqn
Committee Member
Keith Schollum graduated from the RMC Duntroon in 1975 into the NZ Army’s RNZAC and subsequently joined the Australian Army in Dec 1977. His Armoured Corp experience has seen him posted to 1 (NZ) Scots, 4 Cav Regt, 2 Cav Regt, the School of Armour, B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt and 3/16 Cav Regt US Army Armor School. He was OC B Sqn 3/4 Cav in Townsville in 1990-1991 and CO 2 Cav Regt in Darwin in 1994-1995.
His final posting was as Assistant Defence Attache/Chief of Staff Australian Defence Staff Washington DC, during which time he was seconded to the US Dept of Defense in 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He deployed to Kuwait and then Baghdad from March-August 2003 as the Deputy Coordinator for the Reconstruction of Baghdad.
Since retiring in 2004, Keith worked as the security advisor/GM Security at NSW RailCorp from 2004-2013. During that time, he became a Non-Executive Director at the Vasey Housing Association NSW, and was Chairman of the Vasey Board from 2014-2019.