Graham Treloar and Cr Bill Ronald have been honoured by the Pakenham branch of the RSL.By Paul Dunlop
ANZAC Day bugler Graham Treloar and Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Ronald were decorated last week for their work on behalf of Pakenham’s war veterans.
Mr Treloar and Cr Ronald became the Pakenham subbranch of the Returned and Services League’s (RSL) first two honorary members.
The honours, announced at the subbranch’s annual general meeting, recognised the pair’s longstanding contributions to the organisation.
Mr Treloar, bugler extraordinaire and 2005 Cardinia Shire Citizen of the Year, has played the Last Post and Reveille at every Anzac Day dawn service in Pakenham for the past 45 years.
Cr Ronald has conducted the annual election of RSL officers for the past six years.
Pakenham RSL president Norm Joseph said Mr Treloar and Cr Ronald “epitomised the spirit of Anzac”.
“This is a symbol of the respect and admiration we veterans hold for these two gentlemen and for the support always given over so many years,” he said.
The honorary memberships are an initiative designed to recognise the services of people who are not former soldiers.
Mr Joseph said the awards were symbolic but would entitle recipients to attend all the RSL’s meetings and functions and have full use of the facilities at the subbranch’s headquarters.
Mr Joseph said Cr Ronald and Mr Treloar richly deserved to be the inaugural recipients of the award.
“We are not a big club and our facilities are small, but what we have is theirs,” he said.
Reflecting on the past 12 months, Mr Joseph said the year had been a positive one, although tinged with sadness at the loss of RSL members Arch Munro, Jim Haynes, Ron Porter, Jack Smith, Russ McInnes, Percy Chandler and Des O’Brien.
Highlights of the year were the huge turnout at Anzac Day, a successful World War II medallion presentation dinner at the Pakenham Bowls Club and life membership awards to Ken Stewart and Don Buntine.
Mr Joseph paid tribute to the efforts of senior vicepresident Rob Fox whose hard work and dedication had helped the RSL in many ways.
Mr Fox received a prestigious meritorious service medal last year.
Mr Joseph also thanked state conference delegate Mick Manestar, and Ken Newitt for his exceptional efforts in helping achieve record sales of Anzac Day badge and Remembrance Day poppies.
Mr Joseph thanked the RSL ladies auxiliary and Joan Hayles, Lindsay Bransgrove, Keith Alexander, Iris Coop, Thelma Raynes and Don Keith.
Office bearers for 2006 remain unchanged and include Norm Joseph as president, Rob Fox as senior vicepresident, Glen Booth as secretary, Don Buntine as treasurer and membership officer, Ken Stewart as junior vicepresident and maintenance officer, and Noel Webster as pensions officer.
