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.
Garry Player
Chair, 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.
Mark Orreal
District president
Brisbane north
Mark served 21 years in the Australian Army, reaching the rank of WO1 and as Regimental Sergeant Major 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. Mark served with the United Nations Mine Clearance Training Team as an Explosive Ordinance Detection Technician in Pakistan.
Mark joined the RSL in 2007 and has been an active member of Samford RSL Sub Branch since 2010, serving at various times as a Welfare Officer, Vice President, and President. He currently serves on the Sub Branch Board and is also President of the Samford Avenue of Honour Association, which hosts Sub Branch commemorations.
Mark is strongly motivated and committed to supporting Sub Branches, their members, and the wider community. A determined leader, he prides himself on building strategic associations with government, organisations and community groups, and building teams by recruiting, developing and motivating passionate people who care for others.
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.
Grendell ‘Skip’ Antony
District president
Sunshine coast & REgional
Grendell (‘Skip’) served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 1970 to 1990, first as a supplier before re-mustering as a Loadmaster. Skip continued to serve as a Loadmaster in the Ready Reserve until 1995. After leaving the RAAF, Skip qualified as an Occupational Health and Safety Officer and worked at Qantas Flight Catering Brisbane Airport from 1991 to 2008.
Skip has been a member of Maroochydore RSL Sub Branch since 2010, working as an ATDP Level 2 Wellbeing Officer, mentor and Poppy Service Officer. In 2019 he joined the Sunshine Coast and Regional District and held the positions of Vice President and Deputy President. He also served on the RSL Queensland Governance Constitution and Awards Committee from 2020 to 2021.
Skip values openness and transparency and is passionate about helping fellow veterans as per the Objects of the League. He’s committed to helping Sub Branches in the District to work together for the benefit of all veterans and their families.
John Edwards
District President
Central Queensland
John served in the Australian Army in the 42 RQR Reserve Battalion for 10 years from the early 1970s. He joined Marian RSL Sub Branch in 1996 and later served as Vice President before being elected as President in 2010.
John has been on the Board of Central Queensland District (previously Mackay District) since 2000. He served as District Vice President for several years before being elected as District President in 2025.
In recognition of his outstanding service, John has been awarded both RSL Queensland Life Membership and the RSL Meritorious Service Medal – the highest honour that the RSL may bestow upon a member.
John is proud of the support that Central Queensland District provides to veterans. He has undertaken first aid and welfare training to better assist veterans within his District, and is committed to keeping the ANZAC tradition alive through care, commemoration and camaraderie.
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.
Paul Rogers
District president
Moreton
Paul served in the Royal Australian Navy for eight years. Since discharging, he has worked in the dredging, hydrocarbon, mining and manufacturing industries, primarily in occupational health and safety roles. While employed, he also dedicated eight years to working with the Australian Navy Cadets.
Since 2005, Paul has been a continuous member of RSL Queensland. In 2015 he transferred to Ipswich Sub Branch, where he became a volunteer at the Ipswich Sub Branch Museum and is now the museum’s curator. In 2019, Paul was elected as Sub Branch Vice President and then Sub Branch Deputy President in 2021. He was appointed President in 2022 upon the then President’s retirement before being elected to the position in 2023.
Priding himself on his calm approach, Paul encourages Sub Branch members to work together for harmonious outcomes for the betterment of the veteran community.
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 ‘assault 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.