Mark Broemmer (SPC 1975-81)

We extend our deepest sympathy to the extended family of Old Collegian Mark Broemmer (SPC 1975-81) who passed away on 24 March 2023, aged 60 years.

Mark is survived by his wife of 39 years Monica, and sons Michael, Luke and Anthony and spent his life in service to the community.

He is remembered for his 42 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Australian Army Catering Corps and Army, his dedicated service as president of the Sebastopol RSL sub-branch and as a curator of military memorabilia and artefacts through the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum.

Mark enlisted into the Army Reserve in 1980 after relishing the world of cadets during his school time at St Patrick’s College, where he achieved the rank of Cadet Under Officer.

He became a stalwart member of the Army Reserve, specifically the AACC, with the bulk of Mark’s service spent with the 8/7^th Battalion (previously the 2^nd Battalion), The Royal Victoria Regiment in Ballarat.

He had a short tenure in the RAINF before completing his Initial Cook Course in 1983; becoming a Warrant Officer Class 2 and serving at numerous postings; his last at Simpson Barracks in Victoria in 2021.

Mark was awarded the Australian Defence Medal, the Reserve Force Medal with first, second, third, fourth and fifth clasp, and Commander 2nd Division Commendation.

Tributes following Mark’s passing from the Defence hierarchy, including the AACC Regimental Sergeant Major and Head of Corps gives an indication of the esteem in which Mark was held.

Mark was highly regarded for his contribution and dedication to the Victorian serving and Veteran catering community, where he has been remembered as being without peer; and tributes most notably expressing “Mark reinvigorated the Reserve force capabilities within the Victorian region and successfully enabled a deployable field kitchen forward within the ready CSST of 4 CSSB and a BMA type of kitchen at Pucka in 2019″.

Mark was fondly remembered as an “old-school” caterer, “larger than life” character who “gripped-up” the catering capability within his sphere of influence within the Victorian region.

Those who knew Mark have described Mark’s passing as a significant loss to the catering community and broader Defence.

Mark was also president of the Sebastopol RSL and was remembered as an “esteemed president … who was a tireless worker for the sub branch” as well as a curator of military memorabilia and artefacts through the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum.