The Melton RSL Sub Branch

16/03/2026

For those who may be unaware, last week Margaret Lawrey unfortunately passed away.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday morning at 10.30am at Gardenia Funerals Melton. For those unable to attend, you can stream it from home and leave a message for Ian and his family via this link
https://track.pstmrk.it/3s/www.gardeniafunerals.com.au%2Fview-tribute%2Fmargaret-lawrey-GF26062%2F/nQSr/VvXDAQ/Aw/d85682c1-022e-4667-8a62-aa3e777fe659/17/VY-bWy5vwN

13/03/2026

Wow, last week our Sub-Branch President Reg sat down with the local paper to discuss his work as President. Check out the article!

Reginald 'Reg' Cooke is president of the Melton RSL Sub-branch. He spoke with Jack O’Shea-Ayres about his connection to Melton and the local RSL. What’s your connection to the Melton area? I moved to Melton way back in 1977 after growing up in the country. The country lifestyle was a great draw ...

11/03/2026

RSL Victoria today remembers the sacrifice of Private Joseph "Joe" Manicola who died on this day in 1969 following service to his country in Vietnam.

Joe was born in Yallourn on 3 May 1946, the son of Frances and Frank Manicola and younger brother of Peter Manicola.

The family had worked for the State Electricity Commission, the towns major employer, for generations. Both brothers attended Yallourn technical school and were then offered apprenticeships, Joe as a boilermaker and Peter as a fitter and turner.

In February 1968 Joe was called up for National Service and undertook training at Puckapunyal before joining 1st Australian Reinforcement Unit (1ARU) and deploying to Vietnam.

Members of the unit were rotated through 7RAR and 1RAR to ensure the battalions could maintain operational strength and as replacement for casualties.

On 17 January 1969, while serving as a rifleman with 1ARU, he was admitted to 1 Australian Field Hospital in Phuoc Tuy with a brain tumour and was evacuated back to Repatriation Hospital in Melbourne.

Sadly, the cancer proved to be incurable, and he died less than two months later, on 12 March 1969, aged 23 years.

He is buried in his hometown of Yallourn and is today remembered at the Australian War Memorial and other memorials across Australia.

07/03/2026

Corporal Lucy Elizabeth Wilde 25, who was serving as a British Army Combat Medical Technician and Physical Training Instructor (PTI) to the Royal Army Medical Service, was discovered to have passed away in barracks at Warminster Garrison, Wiltshire, on February 5, 2026. Her passing away was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.

Cpl Wilde enlisted in the British Army in March 2018, completing basic training at Pirbright and trade training at DMS Whittington. She served with 5 Medical Regiment (including a deployment to Cyprus), was attached to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards from 2023 until December 2025 (where she was promoted to Corporal), before transferring to 2nd Battalion, The Royal Yorkshire Regiment in early 2026.

She was well loved and hugely admired; she inspired thousands of people on TikTok () with fitness, daily Army life and with her positivity and kindness, described as 'strength wrapped in softness' by her brother, and faced chaos in the Falklands during a mass casualty incident with total composure.

The Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, expressed his “immense sadness” on February 22, 2026: “I remember our meeting during her time with The Welsh Guards, where her warmth and compassion were unmistakable. She served with courage and distinction as a medic and sought always to help others. I send my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Colonel William.” He met her in March 2024 at Combermere Barracks, Windsor.
Tributes from the Welsh Guards and Royal Yorkshire Regiment praised her professionalism, determination, kindness, and uplifting presence. Rest in peace to Cpl Wilde her service touched many.

(Photo: Lucy Elizabeth Wilde)

25/02/2026

Don't forget! This weekend our monthyl Veterans BBQ is on Saturday followed by our AGM on Sunday!

18/02/2026

Wonderful news out of New Zealand regarding veteran recognition of ANZAC Day.

News from Parliament. Anzac Day will now honour all those who have served our nation in times of war.

Hard to believe, but until now some veterans were actually excluded from official commemorations under the law, including those who served in places like Timor-Leste and Afghanistan.

That’s changed today.

16/02/2026

09/02/2026

Let’s Rally Behind One of Our Own 🇦🇺

The Melton RSL is proud to share that local veteran Meredith has been selected to attend the Australian Forces Overseas Fund 60th Anniversary Hike at Kosciuszko National Park this February 13 — just 4 days away!

We’re fundraising to support this incredible opportunity and to give back to those currently serving.

Just $25 sends a care package to a deployed Australian soldier — a small gesture that makes a big difference.

If you’re able, please consider donating and showing your support for our veterans and active service members.

👉 Visit: https://www.rslaustralia.org/donate-afof�
Every contribution counts. Every package reminds a soldier they are not forgotten.
Let’s come together as a community and support a truly worthy cause.

04/02/2026

Stand with those who stood for us. 🇦🇺

Become part of something bigger than yourself.
The Melton RSL Sub-Branch isn’t just a place — it’s a community built on mateship, remembrance, and pride in the values that shaped our nation. By joining, you’re helping preserve the stories, support veterans and their families, and keep the spirit of service alive for future generations.

Whether you have served, have family who served, or simply believe in honouring sacrifice and strengthening community — there’s a place for you here.

Together we remember.
Together we support.
Together we stand.

Join today and wear your membership with pride:
https://meltonrsl.org.au/membership2/

30/01/2026

RSL Victoria today remembers the service and sacrifice of Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel who died on this day in 2005 while serving with allied forces in Iraq.

Born in Colac Paul lived in Clunes and attended St Patrick's College in Ballarat. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1988 and served for fourteen years as a navigator, including at the School of Air Navigation in East Sale.

A dual British and Australian citizen he made the decision to transfer to the RAF in 2002 and spent three years living in England with his wife, Kellie and three children Jordan, Jackson, and India.

On 30 January 2005 he was serving as a navigator on a C-130 Hercules in Iraq when the plane crashed 30 kilometres northwest of Baghdad after its petrol tank was struck by a single bullet.

His body was returned to Australia and was buried in Woden, ACT, where he and his family had planned to live when he finished his service with the RAF.

A coronial inquest in the UK found that the crew might have survived if an explosion suppressant foam had been installed in the fuel tank and the crew had been warned about insurgent activity.

In May 2009 the British Ministry of Defence admitted negligence in sending the crew of Flight Lieutenant Pardoel's Hercules to war when the plane was "not fit for purpose".

27/01/2026

25/01/2026

Happy Australia Day