Executive Committee Members

Ben Vahland: President

I commenced training at the Victoria Police Academy in 2004. Following graduation I have had various postings including Detective roles at Dandenong CIU Narre Warren and Pakenham for 10 years. In 2016 I was promoted to Sergeant at Morwell a

I am married to Sarah and we have four Children between us.

I became involved in the need to support the Wellbeing and welfare of Veterans and First Responders and was founder of the Wellbeing Group now based at Warragul RSL, am one of the founders of the RSL Active Fitness and Mateship group for Veterans and First Responders.

Position Description

Kylie Sage: Vice-President Welfare

I was born and raised in Warragul, attending Warragul Primary School, Marist-Sion College and Warragul Technical School.  I had always wanted to join the Navy, and after a long application period I was accepted as a Marine Technician, and in 1993 I joined HMAS Cerberus to begin my recruit and Engineer training. This branch had just been opened to females, so there were quite a few challenging/funny moments had.

On completion of my training, I was posted to FFG HMAS Canberra for the next 4 years. During that time I completed further training and was able to obtain my Welding/Fabricating trade and was promoted to Leading Seaman.  I was then posted to HMAS Stirling (land base), Leading Hand of the Fabrication shop, until I was seconded to Leeuwin Barracks Fremantle as part of Operation Safe Haven for the Kosovo and East Timorese displaced persons.

I left the Navy in 2000, and with John (my future husband, ex-Navy, and Telstra tech) we moved back to Warragul to raise our son Harry and to be with our family.  John and I joined the RSL 2yrs ago through RSL Active and there have been many changes since then. I believe in the work that we do, and the ability to help people get through some tough times, through the Wellness program, Fitness and social groups we run, to look after our Veterans and their families.  I learnt a lot last year as the Sub Branch Secretary thanks to some great support. This year our Appeals Officer, Noel Tucker (a wealth of knowledge) has been teaching me the ropes regarding ANZAC and Remembrance Day. Thanks to Noel, hopefully, I can keep up.

Position Description

Mark Buttner: Vice-President Operations

Mark is retired (after working in weights and measures/trade measurement for 40 years) and enjoying the good life. Mark is married to Amanda and has two adult sons, one lives and works in Melbourne, the other lives in Warragul and works in Melbourne.

In 1980 Mark joined the Army Reserve at the Warragul Depot (3rd Communications Zone Recovery Company). In 1981 he was posted to the Officer Cadet Training Unit and in 1983 graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant (RAEME). During Marks Army career, he has had various postings, including 3 EME Services, 2/15 Field Artillery Regiment, 105 Field Workshop, 4/19 Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment, 4 Brigade Administrative Support Battalion, Army Personel Agency, 4 Combat Services Support Battalion (Commanding Officer), Land Warfare Development Centre, Australian Army Cadets and various professional development postings. Mark transferred to the inactive standby reserve in 2012 and discharged in 2019.

Position Description

Bob Green: Vice-President Communications

Details SoonMilitary Service – Australian Regular Army 1970-1972. Service in South Vietnam with 3rd and 4th Infantry Battalions Royal Australian Regiment.

General Insurance [various marketing, technical and management roles] for 30 years prior to retirement in 2012. Resided at Warragul South since 2001.

Married to Jackie [nee Bunker] for 48 years. We have two daughters and four grandchildren (all Warragul residents).

I am one of the founders of the Veterans Fitness and Mateship Group program operating under the RSL Active banner.

I believe the RSL is the constant, it is the Ex Service Organisation [ESO] that has been around a long time and it will be around well into the future supporting Veterans/Families. I have agreed to be part of the new Warragul RSL Executive for 2-3 years so as to help identify and attract others that will give of their time to help deliver the outcomes necessary for the continued growth and the capability to provide welfare support whilst ensuring the viability of our Sub Branch.

I also believe that our long term success will benefit from an increase in support for and appreciation of all of our Affiliate Members, many of whom have played active roles in keeping the Sub Branch going for years. I also see the acknowledgement of and support for Affiliate Members who are First Responders [Police/Ambo/CFA/SES] as being beneficial to our future growth and capability.

Position Description

Lynn Mizen: Vice-President Governance

Born in Southampton, England, I emigrated to Australia in 1980 and joined the Australian Army in 1989.  I spent four years as an Operator in Information Systems and Cipher, based at 4 Signal Regiment at Enoggera Barracks in Queensland.  During my time in the army I obtained an IT degree at Queensland University of Technology.

I am a highly experienced senior manager with over twenty-five years’ experience in the corporate services areas of project and program management, corporate governance, strategic planning, shared business services and executive administration.  My employment has been across a wide range of industries, including beverage, mining, information technology, transport, government and education working both overseas and in Australia for a number of multi-nationals including Unisys, Delgro, BHP Billiton and Asahi.

I became a member of the Warragul RSL back in 2004 at the encouragement of my stepfather Geoff Davies, who was both a member and committee member for many years. After a stint away working overseas and in Melbourne, I have returned as an active member at the Warragul RSL since 2022 and hopefully, can utilise my skills in improving overall governance, strategic planning as well as managing projects.

I am now retired and live in Drouin with my partner Graham.

Position Description

David Harrison: Secretary

Born in the United Kingdom, David resided in south-east England before emigrating to Victoria in 2007. David joined Victoria Police in 2010 and rose through the ranks from Senior Constable and Detective to his current rank of Sergeant at Morwell.

Together with his three daughters, Sky, Kayla and Ava, David has been a member and active supporter of the Warragul RSL since 2019. David is also a member of Voyage Gym Warragul and general fitness enthusiast, a keen advocate for RSL Active.

Position Description

Gerardine Crew: Treasurer

I was born in New Zealand in 1959 and arrived in Australia in December 1979. Married in 1981 and we moved to Drouin in 2016.

My husband (Keith) served in the Royal Australia Navy for 21 years and we have two boys, one lives in Darwin and the other one lives in Mooroolbark and both are married.

I left school after year 11 and worked for the Wellington Saving Bank where I was head teller and would balance the bank every night.

When I arrived in Australia I worked for Scholl, the ANZ Bank and then Shire of Cranbourne where I did the rates accounting and then City of Casey as assistant Rate Collector.

After 21 years in the Royal Australian Navy my husband discharged and we bought a business (ABS Brakes) at Fountain Gate which we ran for 20 years where I did all the bookkeeping. We sold the business in 2016 and retired. Once we retired, we joined the Warragul RSL where Keith does the catering and I also assist him with that.

Position Description

Peter Parish: Membership Officer

Peter Parish was born and raised in West Bromwich, U.K. I qualified as a medical scientist in the U.K. then migrated to Australia in 1977, arriving in Warragul with my wife Sue, and our two young boys. I took up a position as Pathologist at West Gippsland Hospital. My parents followed us from England three years later.

I retired from Pathology in July 2012. My father, Freddie was in the Royal Marines in Great Britain in WWII, involved in North Africa, Sicily and the D-Day landings. He was discharged in 1946 achieving the rank of Captain. My mother Joan spent three years as a telephone operator in the ARP (Air Raid Precautions). My wife Sue passed away in 1996, leaving me to her best friend, Phyll. We were married in 1999. With Phyll’s influence, I became involved with the Warragul RSL.

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