To: DirectorsDistrict Presidents, District Secretaries Sub-Branch Presidents, Sub-Branch Secretaries

Re: Nominations for State Vice President (Vice-Chair) of RSL Qld

Date: 30 April 2019

Dear District and Sub Branch Presidents and Secretaries

In accordance with the Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch) there will be an election for the position of State Vice President (Vice-Chair) to be held at the Annual General Meeting of the RSL (Queensland Branch) which is to be held on 22 June 2019. A call for nominations was distributed to members as required under the constitution and three nominations were subsequently received.

The By-laws of RSL (Queensland Branch) require all District Branches and Sub-Branches to be provided with a copy of all nominations within 7 days of the nomination closing date. These are now attached for your information.

Please disseminate this information to your members.

Yours sincerely Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch)

Leah Coogans Company Secretary 30 April 2019

Statement by Kerry Gallagher In support of my nomination

for Vice Chair RSL Queensland “No one who fights for this country should have to fight for a job, a roof over their head or the care they need….” A position statement of an American Veterans support group. Introduction I am extremely lucky in that I have both the good health and some personal ability to ensure that my family and I enjoy a relatively gentle and now peaceful lifestyle. I do recognize that many other servicemen and women have for various reasons, mainly beyond their ability to control, do not have this same level peace and security in their lives. I have now, both the time and, I believe, the commitment, experience and health to attempt to support all servicemen and women so that they can achieve all of the basic expectations expressed in the position statement above, of the American Veterans’ support group. I have had a long commitment to the RSL at a local community level and, despite more recent adverse national issues, I believe this is the only organization that has the reach and potential to secure the support to servicemen and women, both those current serving or those who have served. Military Service I served as a member of the Australian Regular Army for 29 years and 1 day. This included:

• Active Service in South Vietnam as a member of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV),

• Multiple posting to the Royal Australian Regiment including Commanding Officer 3RAR responsible for its conversion to 3RAR(Para),

• Secondment to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for service in Iraq and Iran, and

• Posting to UN service in Iran (UNIIMOG) as the inaugural Australian commander.

Post Military Employment Since resignation of my commission in January 1994, I have had the following roles:

• Manager of the UK Millennium Historical Project (2 years), • CEO Australian Medical Association (Queensland) (AMAQ), • Secretary General of the federal Australian Medical Association (AMA) (combined

total of 13 years), and • Managing Director and now Chair of Vanguard Health (my own company-

www.vanguardhealth.com.au ) Veterans Association I have served in the following veterans associations:

• Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association – National President (from 2012 – present),

• RSL Toowong Sub Branch – President (23 years), • RSL Queensland Conditions of Service Committee – 1997-1999 at the request of

“Digger” James, and • Legacy Brisbane (SW Group) – 1996 – 1999.

Honours and Awards Member of the Order of Australia (AM) – awarded for my role in raising Australia’s parachute battalion, Australian Active Service Medal (1945-75), and A number of other campaign and service medals as well a foreign citation. Case for Appointment I believe because of my reasonably unique mix of roles and experiences I could assist the RSL Queensland Board to achieve a number of objectives which I think are vital to recovering the RSL’s full potential for Government and public support, as well as maintaining the prime role of the RSL in relation to continuing relevance to the serving and veteran communities, which in turn drives membership growth and resultant political influence. Specifically:

• My time in service, particularly regimental service, gives me an understanding of and an empathy towards the needs and aspirations of servicemen and women and veterans.

• My service gives me credibility with the RSL membership and potential RSL membership, credibility with Government and credibility with potential private commercial partners.

• My involvement with the RSL and to coal face member experiences, over a very significant period, is clear proof of my commitment to the League, even in tough times, while my recognized successes in growing the membership (SED award) and re-establishing a permanent home for the Sub Branch, against the state-wide trend, is again clear evidence of both my significant commitment to the RSL and veterans but also my ability to achieve positives outcomes.

• My experience within the Australian Medical Association, widely recognized as Australia’s most powerful lobby group, gives me the experience to design, deliver and secure success with lobbying campaigns, such as the widely recognized and successful, “Grandmas Not Happy” campaign.

• My proven business success, in establishing and growing my own business from a one-person operation to what Vanguard Health has now become, with multiple employees and national services and contract, is an additional area where I believe I can provide value and experience to the Queensland Board.

Conclusion I believe that I have the background, experience, credibility and current relationships with grass roots RSL members, veterans, Government (State and Federal) to provide additional capability and energy to the Queensland RSL. I ask you to consider my nomination. Kerry Gallagher