Wide Bay and Burnett District
Introduction
Wide Bay and Burnett District is the parent body for 32 RSL Sub Branches and 6 Chapters, providing support to both Sub Branches and the local Defence community.
Information
District Meetings are held regularly. For information or to attend, please contact the District Office.
For a list of Sub Branches in the Wide Bay and Burnett District, please see the bottom of the page.
Services offered
- Membership/Camaraderie
- Pensions and advocacy
- Emergency financial assistance
- Wellbeing assistance
RSL Board
The RSL Wide Bay & Burnett District Branch Board is committed to upholding the RSL Mission.
To ensure that programs are in place for the well-being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and ex-service Defence Force members and their dependants; and promote Government and community awareness of the need for a secure and progressive Australia.
The Details
Address:
61B Barolin Street
Bundaberg
Qld 4670
Phone:
07 4151 0325
Email:
NEVILLE TARRY
DISTRICT PRESIDENT
Email: president@wbbd.rslqld.net.au
Mobile: 0419 971 651
In January 2023, Neville Tarry joined RSL Queensland’s State Council of District Presidents as District President, Wide Bay & Burnett District.
Neville joined the ADF in 1976 and served for 12 years as an engineer in the Army Reserves (colloquially referred to ‘salt pioneers’). After leaving Defence, Neville worked at Moura Mines for 33 years. He became a member of RSL Queensland in 1986 through the Moura RSL Sub Branch, and was elected its President in 2004.
In his current role as District President, Neville specialises in supporting fellow veterans and their Sub Branches through navigating complex administration, welfare, and governance issues. He holds qualifications in occupational health and safety, anti-discrimination, training, and supervision.
GRAEME DAVIS
Deputy President
Email: deputypresident@wbbd.rslqld.net.au
Mobile: 0427 291 204
Hello, I am Graeme Davis your latest Board member and Secretary of Tiaro RSL Sub Branch.
I joined the regular Army in 1968 and, after recruit training, was posted to Sixth Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and served in Vietnam 1969, Malaya and Singapore with detachments to 1RHF England. I served for a period of nine years reaching the rank of temporary Corporal.
After discharge, I had various jobs driving and owning my own trucks. I obtained employment with a subsidiary of Shell Company as a driver eventually working my way up to State Manager.
I was involved with the Vietnam Veterans in Victoria being one of the founding members for Geelong. I was also involved with Geelong RSL Sub Branch for many years. We moved to Queensland where I joined the Maryborough RSL Sub Branch, then Hervey Bay RSL Sub Branch before transferring to Tiaro RSL Sub Branch in 2000. Over the past 15 years I have variously held positions of President, Secretary, Treasurer and delegate to District.
One of my aims is to see the name of the RSL back up where it was and regain the respect with the younger veterans.
DAVID WATSON
TREASURER
Email: treasurer@wbbd.rslqld.net.au
Mobile: 0427 247 105
David joined the 49th RQR Army Reserve at Wacol, Brisbane in 1978 and served for some 3½ years before transferring to 9 RQR Maryborough for approximately 12 months. Due to his employer at the time, he was unable to continue his Reserve service. He held various positions over 10 years within the KFC group from Brisbane to Rockhampton including managerial roles at Gladstone and Redcliffe.
David first moved to Monto in 2005 where he joined the Monto RSL Sub-Branch and was also Secretary/Manager of the RSL Citizens Club, for a period of 3 years. After a 4-year stint in Sydney, David returned with his family to Monto where he runs the family Funeral business. David’s RSL Membership with the Monto RSL Sub-Branch currently spans 14 years. He has held the positions of Sub-Branch Treasurer (2014-2018) and from 2018 to present day is the current Sub-Branch President.
David is very passionate about the RSL. With a few year’s committee experience behind him and, being a younger member, David feels he has quite a few years left ahead to offer his services. He believes that the younger generation can continue the great service provided by the older and past members.
BETTY WHITE
DISTRICT SECRETARY
Email: secretary@rslwidebay.org
Mobile: 0409 068 142
Betty was employed by RSL Queensland as District Secretary in March 2017 and is currently based in the Bundaberg District Office. The Board and District Secretary roles were combined in March 2020. Betty has over 45 years administrative experience, has a Business Administration qualification, Real Estate (Property Management) Certificate and is also a Commissioner for Declarations.
Betty is an ex-RAAF spouse who has experienced several postings and many job changes. She had a 19 year public service career before posting, worked in various temporary roles within Department of Defence at Point Cook and, after further posting, joined Defence Housing at Wagga Wagga before transferring to Defence Housing Canberra as helpdesk support. Betty moved to Queensland in 2001 to support her family, worked in the Real Estate Property Valuation industry, and met and married Steve before ‘living the dream and doing the lap’ for 5 years.
Betty is proud that RSL Queensland has implemented employment assistance programs for ‘service spouses’ while at the same time providing the many new programs for current and ex-service men and women.
