Shayne Hartas
1972 - 2026
About
Birthplace: Rockhampton
Tributes
Craig Kelly22 Jul 2026
RIP Shayne. You'll be missed mate.
Anthony Paul Lear29 Jun 2026
I first met Shane at BHP Yandi. He approached as I had an association hat on. He said nice hat and from then on we have been mates. Even though we were at 4 at the same time and know the same lads, and were on the Kanimbla together heading up to Townsville, our paths never crossed till mining.... we helped clear his home in Gidgegannup after the fire. Rest easy mate.
Sam Mackay27 Jun 2026
Condolences to Shayne’s family, friends and all those who served alongside him.
I had the privilege of crossing paths with Shayne several times throughout our military careers, and I will always remember him as a genuine, decent man.
He consistently invested his time, knowledge and experience in developing the next generation of chooks. He never hesitated to offer honest advice or provide the right steer when it was needed, and as a junior officer, I was better for it.
His legacy will live on through the people he mentored and the example he set.
Rest easy, mate.
I had the privilege of crossing paths with Shayne several times throughout our military careers, and I will always remember him as a genuine, decent man.
He consistently invested his time, knowledge and experience in developing the next generation of chooks. He never hesitated to offer honest advice or provide the right steer when it was needed, and as a junior officer, I was better for it.
His legacy will live on through the people he mentored and the example he set.
Rest easy, mate.
Joanna25 Jun 2026
Sincere condolences to Shayne's family, and military family especially. From school-days shenanigans to the man who came home from war, there are special memories that I will cherish forever. Rest in peace Shayne.
Jamie Copeland22 Jun 2026
I first met Shayne when he marched into 139 SIG SQN straight from Recruit and trade training. He weighed about 60kg dripping wet, so it was pretty easy to throw him into Enogerra Creek, which was the regular initiation for all newbies.
Our paths later crossed at 126 SIG SQN where I got to know Shayne better. He was a natural runner which was amazing for the amount of dirties he smoked each day. Shayne put his fitness down to his training as a Teenager dodging the local Coppers and the fathers of his many girlfriends.
Shayne’s ability to tell a story was second to none. Most centered on some embarrassing mishap where someone nearly died, or being deployed to a remote retrans detachment and the various stages of undress they were in. One particular story revolved around a customs plane the images they would eventually download.
Shayne was a good colleague and friend and we’ll all mi
Our paths later crossed at 126 SIG SQN where I got to know Shayne better. He was a natural runner which was amazing for the amount of dirties he smoked each day. Shayne put his fitness down to his training as a Teenager dodging the local Coppers and the fathers of his many girlfriends.
Shayne’s ability to tell a story was second to none. Most centered on some embarrassing mishap where someone nearly died, or being deployed to a remote retrans detachment and the various stages of undress they were in. One particular story revolved around a customs plane the images they would eventually download.
Shayne was a good colleague and friend and we’ll all mi
Jason Gardner17 Jun 2026
It was a privilege to have served with Shayne at 103 Sig Sqn in the late 90's.
My heart goes out to his family, especially his young son. Taken far too soon.
Rest in peace, brother. You'll be missed by all who knew you.
My heart goes out to his family, especially his young son. Taken far too soon.
Rest in peace, brother. You'll be missed by all who knew you.
Tang15 Jun 2026
Loved working with mate, many awsome yarns, piss takes and capers.
You will be missed brother, Rest In Peace.
Stricko
You will be missed brother, Rest In Peace.
Stricko
Emma Murphy15 Jun 2026
I enlisted in 2000, and in 2001 found myself at School of Sigs with the one and only, Shayne. He was there as an instructor and I probably became more friends with him on the drill square (on extras), whilst he was having a great ol time marching me around! Little did I know, I had been posted with arguably the best story teller of the ADF! I then core transferred, got busy and lost touch, but he was someone I never forgot.
Fast fwd to 2018, I finally bought a block in Gidge after years of searching. There was a few we were keen on but... too slow. Unbeknownst to me, Shayne had snapped one of them up! We then reconnected and rewound the clock 20 odd years. It was like yesterday. His stories came thick and fast.
Following the unfortunate fires, I organised a new set of replicas for him but when I picked them up, I was due to fly back to work the next morning. I didn't want to wait
Fast fwd to 2018, I finally bought a block in Gidge after years of searching. There was a few we were keen on but... too slow. Unbeknownst to me, Shayne had snapped one of them up! We then reconnected and rewound the clock 20 odd years. It was like yesterday. His stories came thick and fast.
Following the unfortunate fires, I organised a new set of replicas for him but when I picked them up, I was due to fly back to work the next morning. I didn't want to wait
Booger15 Jun 2026
As a young soldier, Shayne used to seem to enjoy keeping me busy as a defending officer whenever he got charged (which was quite often). But shenanigans aside, when Shayne and I worked together at the school, he had grown to be a hard working, reliable and professional young soldier, with a cheeky grin and a sense of humour that made it a pleasure to have him on the team. Always good for a four hour chat on any given day of the week (which we did for years). It was heartwarming to hear him talk for hours about his pride and joy (Ash), about how proud he was of him, all the brilliant things he does, and how much he loved him. Farewell Shayne - I will miss our chats.
Danny Hamilton14 Jun 2026
My heart goes out to the Hartas family and little Ash. Shayne was a life long friend and a loyal mate that rode the highs and lows in both our lives. I will miss his stories which had more fiction and facts sometimes, but it didn't matter as they were always provided a good laugh and great banter. He had a brain of a genius and a heart of a lion. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Love ya mate. Rest easy.
I have plenty more photos and will get them to the family in the coming days.
I have plenty more photos and will get them to the family in the coming days.
Matthew Lipman14 Jun 2026
Rest In Peace Shayne 💐
This is very sad news for all in the Commando group.
Shayne, You were a great inspirational leader to us up and coming Commando signallers, you were always a chirpy guy, enjoyed a good brew and chin wag with the lads. You excelled at everything you did and will be forever remembered.
My family and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family 💐
You will be dearly missed my friend 🙏
Never forgotten!
C4L
This is very sad news for all in the Commando group.
Shayne, You were a great inspirational leader to us up and coming Commando signallers, you were always a chirpy guy, enjoyed a good brew and chin wag with the lads. You excelled at everything you did and will be forever remembered.
My family and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to his family 💐
You will be dearly missed my friend 🙏
Never forgotten!
C4L
Naomi14 Jun 2026
Thankyou for all the times we had hanging out with our kiddos! You were such an attentive, doting and caring father, anyone could spot that a mile away!
We will miss the plays and talks together ❤️ one in a
million, you will be missed deeply by all who knew you 💗
We will miss the plays and talks together ❤️ one in a
million, you will be missed deeply by all who knew you 💗
Ian Withrington14 Jun 2026
I first met Shayne in 103 Sig Sqn in 1993 I think . He was new and nipped at the heels of everyone like a pesky foxy LOL 😆 a bit of a pain in the ar$e as he never had any smokes or a lighter haha and that if memory serves me correctly was how he got the nick name "Hard ar$e". Wasn't until after my discharge and the invention of Facebook that we reconnected, although I was kept in the loop of his career rise in SF via mutual friends. We kept in regular contact after the house fire and birth of Ashton, who was the apple of his eye, never heard him sound prouder than when talking about him. Shayne was "Shayne", blunt, loud, opinionated and could curse with the best BUT he was genuinely a great bloke I never knew when the phone would ring but it always did, especially when one needed it most, and I will miss those calls. I am proud to have served with Shayne and call him my friend. May you