School of Military Engineering - Army

Home
Australia
Holsworthy, NSW
School of Military Engineering - Army

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from School of Military Engineering - Army, Government Organization, Holsworthy.

This Australian Army Official School of Military Engineering Page is for all past or present serving members, families and friends of serving members, people interested in joining, or those who have a general interest in SME.

12/06/2026

This week we look back on the annual Waterloo Dinner, a long-standing tradition within the Royal Australian Engineers community that continues to reinforce regimental history and professional identity among commissioned officers.

The Waterloo Dinner is traditionally held on or around 18 June and traces its origins back to 1915, when members of the Corps held an informal dinner at Gallipoli following the completion of Watson’s Pier at Anzac Cove. The pier played a critical role in supporting operations during the campaign, and the dinner was held to mark its completion and the contribution of those involved in its construction.

The event honours Lieutenant Stanley Watson, a signals officer within the Royal Australian Engineers who led the construction of the pier. In recognition of his role, an officer from the Royal Australian Corps of Signals is traditionally invited as a guest at each Waterloo Dinner.

The name “Waterloo” was adopted as the first formal observance of the dinner coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, linking the occasion to a broader military historical milestone while establishing a unique Corps tradition of remembrance and celebration.

Today, the Waterloo Dinner remains an important annual event, connecting past and present members of the Corps and preserving the legacy of service, innovation, and engineering excellence that defines SME and the wider Royal Australian Engineers community.

09/06/2026

Recently, ROBC completed the DEMS User course followed by the DEMS Supervisor course, further developing technical demolition capability for RAEs new Junior Officers.

The training culminated in four days on the DEMS range, where ROBC rotated through different range roles, planning and conducting range serials focused on developing confidence, cutting charges, cratering charges, Battle Noise Simulation (BNS) and Light Urban Explosive Breaching (LUEB) tasks.

Across the course, ROBC demonstrated strong progression in both technical understanding and range management, building confidence in safely coordinating and supervising demolition activities under realistic training conditions.

04/06/2026

This Throwback Thursday we’re casting our minds back to the Watermanship and Bridging (WAB) courses of 2025 and some classic Sapper innovation.

While developing skills on the water including small boat recovery onto the rafts, these resourceful teams also proved that capability and creativity can go hand in hand with “mission essential sustenance” never far from the objective.

Do you have fond memories of Camp Sapper or the WAB courses? Let us know in the comments section.

02/06/2026

Representing the Corps with pride.

On Friday, CPL Donald Currie from SME Trade Training Troop participated in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service at the ANZAC Memorial, Hyde Park. Performing ceremonial duties on the didgeridoo, CPL Currie helped honour the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.

The full service can be viewed on this link or through the RSL NSW page RSL NSW
https://www.youtube.com/live/JkC-Nkey-es?si=RTy8ebq_UjjZwSgc

CPL Currie also organised for SME Trade Trainees to attend the commemorative service, providing them with the opportunity to learn more about the contributions of Indigenous servicemen and women while experiencing an important occasion of remembrance away from the workshop.

Well done, CPL Currie, for your professionalism, initiative and representation of the Australian Army and School of Military Engineering.

01/06/2026

From small boat drills to Improved Ribbon Bridges (IRBs) and rafting, 1 TP spent last week developing critical Watermanship and Bridging (WAB) skills.

Training like this develops our junior sappers to be able to work as section members within teams operating small boats and IRBs. They have demonstrated initiative and trade skills that underpin combat engineering capability.

28/05/2026

Welcome to Throwback Thursdays.

This week we’re looking back to May 2017, when IET Course, 3 Troop were conducting demolitions training at the Holsworthy demolitions range.

Training like this forms a core part of developing Sappers, building the technical skill, confidence, and discipline required to operate in complex urban environments. While methods and equipment continue to evolve, the fundamentals of safe and effective demolitions remain a key part of the Sapper trade.

Do you recognise anyone in these photos or remember this training? Share your memories below.

27/05/2026

Join us at the School of Military Engineering – “Home of the Sapper” on 11 July 2026 as we commemorate MEAO Day.

On MEAO Day, SME will recognise the men and women who served in the Middle East Area of Operations. Their commitment, resilience and professionalism underpinned operations across the region, often in demanding and complex environments.

Join us for a commemorative ceremony, BBQ lunch, and tours of SME as we reflect on and honour the service and sacrifice of all who deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations.

This event will be open to the general public, with registration being required through the below tribooking link. More coordinating instructions will be sent to attendees through their email nominated in this registration.

https://www.trybooking.com/DLWXE

26/05/2026

Last Friday the School of Military Engineering farewelled MAJ Davis (USA) and CPL Corbett.

MAJ Davis (USA) worked as the XO/OPSO at 39 Brigade Engineer Battalion in service of 101st Airborne in Kentucky before being selected to serve as OC Engineering Tactics Wing here at SME from 2024. In this role he drove change in the focus, rigour and modern academic learning models used at the wing. MAJ Davis is posting to Fort Polk in Louisiana as taskforce commander of the Joint Readiness Training Centre.

CPL Corbett posted into SME from 3CER before serving in various roles throughout the school. Notably, CPL Corbett was awarded the Command Commendation for his contributions to SME Ops.

SME would like to thank them and their families for their valuable contributions during their time with the school. Their professionalism, expertise and commitment have made a lasting impact on the school and the broader Corps.

We wish them both every success in their futures.

25/05/2026

Building capability one panel at a time.

Sappers from 1 TP recently constructed a double-storey Medium Girder Bridge (MGB) with pier support during bridging training.

Over several days the troop undertook the physically demanding and back breaking build, working clean skin, with body armour and at night under white light conditions.

The MGB is a rapidly deployable bridging system that provides mobility across wet and dry gaps, ensuring personnel, vehicles and equipment can continue moving where they’re needed most 🌁

Through teamwork, communication and technical skill, soldiers developed and reinforced the practical engineering skills required of Combat Engineers.

14/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to 3TP for graduating as our newest Sappers from the School of Military Engineering!

After months of hard work, determination and resilience, these soldiers have officially earned the title of Sapper and are now ready to take the next step in their Army careers.

The skills, teamwork and professionalism displayed throughout training are a credit to each individual and set a strong foundation for service across the Corps.

Well done to all involved, and best of luck as you move forward to your respective units.

Once a Sapper, always a Sapper!

Address

Holsworthy, NSW

Website

https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/army-corps/royal-australian-engineers

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when School of Military Engineering - Army posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to School of Military Engineering - Army:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Holsworthy?