Four new veterans appointed to RSL Queensland Board of Directors

RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM speaking at the 2022 AGM

RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM today announced the new appointments following an independent process led by an external specialist firm, that identified and recommended suitably qualified individuals from the RSL Queensland membership and veteran community.

Each of the new Directors were selected for their skills to assist in the important and challenging work of the governance of RSL Queensland.

Tony Orchard, Director – Financial Management has 25-years’ experience working in the financial industry, including having held the position of Senior Business Financial Planner at National Australia Bank.

Chris Hamilton, Director – Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy has leadership experience in both the civil and military sectors and has been a member of both commercial and not-for-profit Boards, including as a Board Member of South West Hospital and Health Service.

Nic Gould, Director – Legal, Governance and Risk Management is Managing Director and solicitor at Colwell Conveyancing Group, and he holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and a Certificate of Governance and Risk Management.

Ash Naughton, Director – Strategy Development and Execution is the CEO and part-owner of TwentyFiveFour Group, a veteran-owned retail company, and he holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business.

The Directors will serve on the Board alongside three Executive members, including a State, Deputy and Vice President, and one District President, who is the nominated representative of the State Council Chair of District Presidents. 

The creation of the new skills-based Board structure follows a vote held at RSL Queensland’s Annual General Meeting in June where members endorsed constitutional changes to facilitate the introduction of skills-based Director appointments. 

MAJGEN Day said the introduction of a skills-based structure would ensure the Board had the appropriate mix of skills required to govern as well as represent the needs of RSL’s members and the veteran community.

“Today marks an important moment for RSL Queensland as we welcome our new Directors and shift to a skills-based Board that will ensure we have the right mix of skills and representation to serve the needs of our members and the veteran community at large,” MAJGEN Day said. 

“Tony, Chris, Nic and Ash bring decades of relevant experience to their roles, and, as veterans themselves, a unique and critical understanding of the lived experiences of our Australian Defence Force personnel. 

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our departing Board Directors, whose ongoing service, principally as members of the State Council of District Presidents, we will continue to benefit from.

“I look forward to working closely with our new Board Directors to deliver on our mission to provide care, commemoration and camaraderie to enable veterans and their families to live with dignity and respect,” he said.

More information on the skills-based Board positions and nomination process can be found on the RSL Queensland website.

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