Three members awarded in North Queensland

RSL Queensland Member Awards are a way for Sub Branches to honour and recognise the invaluable contributions members make to their community.  

Volunteers across the state contribute hundreds of thousands of hours to supporting veterans and their families. These awards recognise the importance of this work. 

Let’s introduce you to the award recipients: RSL Life Members Allan Petersen and Garry Player, and RSL Women’s Auxiliary member of 75 years, Norma Moylan.  

These three incredible individuals have served as representatives of their respective Sub Branches for decades. And, as with all award recipients, they demonstrated passion, dedication and service to their communities.  

Allan Petersen

Allan being presented with his Life Membership award from RSL Queensland State Vice President Bill Whitburn OAM in recognition of his tireless service to veterans and the Home Hill community

Back in 2006, Allan Petersen joined the Home Hill RSL Sub Branch as a Life Subscriber. Throughout his membership, Allan has been actively involved in the Home Hill community – organising fundraising activities; participating in commemorative events, including those held by the town’s local schools; arranging ANZAC bursaries and prizes; and researching and compiling two military history books.  

One of his personal highlights from this time was visiting each school in town as part of the Postcards of Honour and Draw to Remember initiatives. 

While Allan’s dedication to community service is truly admirable, his commitments to his Sub Branch are also extensive. Since 2010, Allan has been the Home Hill RSL Sub Branch Secretary, before also adding Delegate and Membership Officer to his workload in 2013 and 2018 respectively. Among his greatest achievements were coordinating the restoration of 42 veteran gravesites in Home Hill, as well as organising the conceptual design, construction and Dedication Service of the town’s war memorial. 

From 2017 to 2018 he served as Vice President of RSL North Queensland District. 

In recognition of his service and achievements, Allan was granted Life Membership in January and officially presented with his award in April. Commenting on Allan’s Life Membership, Home Hill RSL Sub Branch President Richard Kelly says Allan is very deserving of this honour: “Allan has the Home Hill RSL Sub Branch at heart, and I would go as far as to say it’s his life.” 

Garry Player

Garry was recognised for his commitment to the Townsville RSL Sub Branch and North Queensland District

Many in the RSL Queensland community know Garry Player as North Queensland’s District President – a position he has held since 2019. However, Garry has also been making a huge impact in his local Townsville RSL Sub Branch for more than 20 years.  

Some of his notable roles include Board Member from 2015 to 2018, Delegate from 2018 to 2020, and then Vice President from 2018 to present. He is also involved in Townsville’s Sappers Association and the Townsville RSL Social Fishing Club.  

Over the years, Garry has often volunteered to help fundraise for commemorations, while using his voice as a committee member to champion what the RSL stands for. However, he is especially passionate about veterans’ welfare.  

For the past eight years he has contributed in many ways great and small, from assisting Defence families with landscaping and house cleaning and driving families out to the RSL’s respite hut at Crystal Creek, to engaging with Townsville pension advocates and inviting them to travel across North Queensland to support those in need. Garry’s great leadership qualities and work ethic have helped the District and its Sub Branches provide strong support to veterans and their families. 

Garry was awarded with Life Membership in February. Commenting on his achievements, RSL Queensland State Vice President and Townsville RSL Sub Branch past President Bill Whitburn OAM says Garry is highly deserving of this honour, stating that he goes “above and beyond… he deserves to be acknowledged for his contribution to our veterans and their families”. 

Norma Moylan

Norma has supported veterans and their families through the RSL Charters Towers Women’s Auxiliary for 75 years

The RSL North Queensland District recently presented Norma Moylan with a Long Service Award to acknowledge her 75 years’ membership with the RSL Charters Towers Women’s Auxiliary. Norma was originally awarded Life Membership in 1989 in recognition of her lifelong dedication to the community and she is now the first Auxiliary member in Queensland to be recognised for this 75-year milestone.  

To mark the occasion, a special morning tea was held in her honour in April. North Queensland District President Garry Player attended to present Norma with her certificate.  

At the event, when Garry told Norma that 75 years is a long time to dedicate to an organisation, she replied that 76 years will be a piece of cake. Commenting on her support, Garry says “anyone that can stay committed that long is a legend; Norma is a loving, caring person and I hope she is around a lot longer”. 

The RSL Women’s Auxiliaries have existed since WWI, when female relatives of veterans raised funds to buy land and property to establish RSL Sub Branches across Queensland. Aside from her involvement with the Auxiliary, Norma has also contributed to her community through long-term membership of the Charters Towers chapters of Legacy, Lions Club, and Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA), where she has been a member since age 16. Her active involvement in her community is truly admirable. 

Get involved 

Interested in making a difference to veterans and their families, just like Allan, Garry and Norma? Sign up to join your local RSL Sub Branch or Auxiliary here.

Want to stay informed? Subscribe today and get the latest news, services, events and more direct to your email inbox.