Meet Our Team

It is not just being past winners of the Newdegate Cup that is the measure of our success. It is the enthusiasm, peer support and sustained level of Member participation that is at the heart of our Sub-Branch.

From within our Sub-Branch it is the combination of all our Members who contribute to our success in supporting our community, our veterans and our RSLWA.

Our Team provides leadership so that all members are able to participate in all we do.

About Us

Our Executive Committee 2024 to 2026

Executive Committee members are elected by the Sub-Branch at alternating AGMs.

Note: Members of the Executive Committee may hold other sub-committee positions.

Peter Hodgson
President (Term Ends Aug 2027)
Service: Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Years of Service: 42 years (1974–2016) Units: RAAF Base Point Cook, RAAF Base Pearce, RAAF Base Richmond (NSW), Butterworth, Malaysia, Laverton, Darwin, Edinburgh, RAF Brize Norton 101SQN, Oxfordshire, UK (on exchange), 25 Squadron (RAAF Reserves) My first flight was on a C130 Hercules, which took me from Melbourne to Wagga when I was just 15 years old. This was not only my first flying experience but also my first time out of Victoria. I am also an avid bike rider and actively participate in Sub-Branch activities at Hillarys Marina.
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Peter Bowring
Vice President (Term Ends Aug 2027), Commemorative Officer
National service—Army—first intake 1966–67. Vietnam 1966-67: Field medic with 5th battalion-convoy protection and medevac dustoff. Thirty years of Western Australian Police Force service. United Nations Peacekeeper East Timor 2000 . United Nations: technical advisor, police, Somalia . Advisor for NGO tsunamis, earthquakes, and disasters in Banda Aceh-Haiti, Indonesia. RSL: nine years of enjoying travel and wellness.
David Potter
Treasurer (Term Ends Aug 2026), Membership Officer
Wayne Koch
Secretary (Term Ends Aug 2026), Membership Officer, Peer Health
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Our Wardens

Wardens are elected by the Sub-Branch at alternating AGMs.
The Memorial Warden is appointed by the Executive Committee.
A person may hold both roles at the same time.

Rob Sweet
Warden (Term Ends Aug 2024)
Rob Sweet OAM R93396 Served in Royal Australian Navy 1961 to 1981 as a Sonar Operator in the Seaman Branch, discharged as a Chief Petty Officer. Last ship Chief Bosuns Mate in HMAS Torrens. Operational Service during Indonesian Confrontation, Far East Strategic Reserve, Vietnam Logistic Support escorting HMAS Sydney. Joined RSL in 1982, became Secretary of North Beach Sub Branch in 2004 till 2019. Warden 2021 - 2024. Currently a volunteer at Hillarys Yacht Club, “messing about in boats”
Lez Young
Warden (Term Ends Aug 2025), Memorial Warden

Wellbeing and Advocacy

Our Wellbeing and Advocacy volunteers, help look after our veterans.

Greg Gough
Wellbeing Support Officer
Ted Leunig
Advocate
Jordon Burgess
Honorary Chaplain

Digital Team

The Digital Team looks after the website, social media, and marketing.

Helen Burgess
Digital Strategy and Website Manager
Joined: Royal Australian Air Force. Served: 1984 - 2000, was a Communications Operator until 1993 then became a Communications Information Systems Controller. I was promoted to Corporal in 1989 and Sergeant in 1999. Units: No ! Recruit Training RAAF Ednidinburgh, RAAF School of Radio - RAAF Laverton, RAAF Telecommunications Unit Sydney, RAAF Support Unit Melbourne. Headquarters Logistics Command Melbourne, Base Squadron EAst Sale, No 306 Air Base Wing Pearce, No 321 Air Base Wing, Darwin. When I was at high school in my final two years, I was in the second class of the then new subject of Aeronautics. I had a fascination with planes from an early age and I wanter to learn to fly them., which I did. Hence my joining the Air Force even though female pilots were not a thing back then in 1984.
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Drury Heath
Website Editor
Alister Oram
Website Editor
Jon McKenzie
Facebook Co-ordinator
Brian Jennings
History, News and Publicity

Stewards

Stewards fall into two groups: a revenue steward and an ordinary steward.

Tom May
Merchandising
Deb Thatcher
Revenue Steward
Jess Welfare
Revenue Steward
Bill Kynaston
Revenue Steward, Meal Co-ordinator
Stuart Young
Steward
Peter Dales
Steward
Stewart Davies
Steward
Trevor Beegan
Steward

Activities Team

From social activities coordinators to members who do our commemoration services to
appeal collections coordinator, the Activities Team covers it all

Helen Burgess
Social Activities
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Deb Thatcher
Social Activities
Alister Oram
Appeals Collection Co-ordinator
Rip Coulston
Parade Marshal
Peter Bowring
Annual Lunch
Barry Lloyd
Meals Coordinator
Ron Parker
Homage
Lez Young
Annual Lunch