State Council Of District Presidents

RSL Queensland’s State Council of District Presidents consists of 10 District Presidents and is responsible for recommending to the Board actions relating to matters concerning or relevant to District Branches, Sub Branches and RSL Queensland members.

District Presidents are elected by the members in their District.

Les Nash 

Chair, District president 
Moreton

Les is an experienced Principal Consultant in the accounting industry. He is skilled in Managerial Finance, Government, Accounting, Public Policy and Corporate Governance. Les is an ex regular soldier with 25 years infantry service throughout Australia and overseas. He joined RSL in 1970, and has held many offices in both Far Northern and Moreton Districts. 

Merv Brown OAM

District president 
Brisbane north

Merv had a 36-year career with the ADF, serving 24 years in the regular Army, including deployments to Papua New Guinea and South Vietnam, and then 12 years in the Army Reserve. After transitioning out of the Army, Merv worked for Brisbane City Council as an Environmental Health Officer. Merv joined RSL in 1979, working closely with Gallipoli Barracks as well as local schools through writing competitions, awards and donations. Merv was awarded the Order of Australia in 2013. 

Pat Fairon

District President
Gold Coast

Pat served in the Australian Army for two years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, before working in a variety of technical and industrial product roles. Pat has volunteered in many community organisations, including 16 years in committee and executive roles at the RSL, and 50 years' involvement with both the Maroochydore and Burleigh Heads Surf Lifesaving Clubs. A keen sportsman, Pat’s interests include triathlons, cycling, ocean swimming; and he has finished the Gold Coast marathon four times. 

Kerry Gallagher AM

District President
South Eastern

Kerry Gallagher AM served in the ADF for 29 years, during which time he was appointed as Chief of Staff of 1st Division and tasked with raising the Parachute Battalion, 3RAR in 1983. After leaving Defence, Kerry pursued his interest in medical services, serving as CEO of the Australian Medical Association and Director of a medical practice in Woolloongabba. He is currently CEO at the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists and Chairman of Vanguard Health. Kerry chairs the Brisbane ANZAC Day Parade Committee and became President of Toowong RSL Sub Branch in 1997 and in 2021 was elected as South Eastern District President. He is also National President of another ESO, the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association.

Ian Hall OAM

District president 
Sunshine coast

With two operational tours in Vietnam and 34 years in the Queensland Police Service, Ian has a wealth of knowledge, understanding and life experience, as well as a strong commitment to the Objects of the RSL. A team player, he applies extensive people skills to furthering and enhancing the promotion and delivery of the goals of the League.

Phillip Luzzi

District President Pioneer-Fitzroy-Highlands

Phillip Luzzi served six years as a reservist with 1 Field Ambulance NSW. He also worked in Western Sydney and Hunter Area Health Service NSW as a registered nurse, completing two degrees and achieving certification in four disciplines of nursing. After 35 years of nursing service, Phillip retired as a senior manager. He was the owner and director of Clever Kids Education Centre in Rockhampton, running a successful business tutoring students of all ages in a range of subjects. Phillip also ran his own company ROBPHI Pty Ltd, with a diverse portfolio including specialised building and sales. He is currently the Chairman/Director of Keppel Financial Services in Emu Park and Yeppoon Community Bank, Bendigo Bank.

Garry Player 

District President 
North Queensland

Garry served in the Australian Army for 24 years discharging in September 2012. On discharge, Garry ran his own small business for five years. He has completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and a Certificate IV in Public Health and Safety. Garry has volunteered with the RSL for many years, first joining the Townsville Committee in 2014, and taking up office in 2018. He joined the Board of RSL Queensland in July 2019. 

Dennis Pollard

District President
Western

Dennis served in the ADF for more than 25 years, including from 1970–74 and again from 1977–97. For 20 of these years, Dennis was in the Royal Australian Corp Military Police. After transitioning out of the ADF, he was employed by the Queensland Government as a Corrective Service Officer for 11 years. Dennis became a member of RSL Queensland in 2000 and in 2011 was elected President of Wallangarra RSL Sub Branch. In 2017 he was elected Deputy President of the Western District and in February 2021 was elected as Western District President. Dennis volunteers in several other organisations, including the QFES Rural Fire Brigade. On 30 March 2021 he was awarded his Certificate in Governance for not-for-profits.

Neville Tarry

District President
Wide Bay & Burnett

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.  

Kenneth Willoughby

District President
Far Northern

In October 2022, Kenneth Willoughby joined RSL Queensland’s State Council of District Presidents as District President, Far Northern District. 

Kenneth served in the RAAF from 1970 to 1992, initially as an Airfield Defence Guard before re-mustering to Service Police upon his return from Vietnam. He later qualified as an RAAF Police Investigator specialising in criminal investigations and counter-intelligence. He also served in Malaysia on two separate postings.  

After leaving the RAAF, Kenneth worked in the mining industry in Papua New Guinea (PNG), first as a Security Training Officer then as an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Coordinator. Due to his police training in the RAAF, he was appointed as a PNG Reserve Police Officer. After leaving PNG he worked as an OH&S Manager for an engineering and employment hire company in Cairns.  

Kenneth has been a member of many RSL Sub Branches including Townsville, Cairns, Gordonvale, Malanda (eight years as Secretary) and now Herberton. He has held the positions of Vice President and Deputy President for Far Northern District.