by Keith Anderson
Warragul RSL sub-branch has its first female president in its more than 100 year history.

Former Army member Lynn Mizen was elected at the annual meeting and, also for the first time, its seven-strong executive has a majority of women.
Ms Mizen, who is the only female president of an RSL in Gippsland and fewer than 20 across Victoria's 267 sub-branches, served in the Army from 1989 to 1995 including four years as an operator in information systems and cipher at 4 Signal Regiment based at Enoggera in Queensland.
She said she aimed to build on the legacy of her predecessor Ben Vahland who stepped down as president after five years.
Heading that list will be completion of an extension to the branch clubrooms in Albert St, Warragul, to accommodate a Veterans Welfare Centre staffed by volunteers to assist former service people apply for compensation and receive counselling and family support.
Baw Baw Shire has been without a centre since one that operated from Drouin closed last year.
Mr Mizen hopes the new Warragul facility will be operating in the second half of this year.
In her previous role as the sub-branch's vice-president governance she prepared submissions and advocated for funding towards the building extension that resulted in grants of $95,000 from the Victorian RSL and $45,000 from the federal government.
Ms Mizen last year became a member of RSL Victoria's state executive, a role she said included a focus on veteran services throughout Gippsland and, in Baw Baw Shire, continuing Mr Vahland's work where Warragul RSL was regarded as a hub within the shire providing support for smaller sub-branches.
She said the Warragul sub-branch was in a healthy state with a membership of 400 that included 182 who had served in the defence forces.
Affiliate and social membership also is available to first responders including members of the police force, ambulance officers and paramedics, and current and former members of the Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service, many of whom have a military background, and to family members of current and former service personnel.
Another vision Ms Mizen and Mr Vahland share is that the Warragul RSL remains a relevant and sustainable volunteer organisation that retains Australia's service history and traditions and not become full-scale commercial operations with gaming facilities like many other RSL clubs, and continues to build many local community partnerships that prospered under Mr Vahland's leadership.
Ms Mizen said another high priority was continued advocacy for governments to implement recommendations of the Royal Commission into veterans' suicides and welfare that are vital for current and future ex-service people.
The Warragul RSL clubrooms are utilised virtually every day of the week with a number of activities aimed at supporting members' mental and general health and social connection.
These include scale model building, fitness and RSL Active programs, establishment of singing and "guitars for veterans" groups that stage concerts for members, family games days and the formation in recent years of the Warragul RSL Pipes and Drums band that continues to grow.
Ms Mizen acknowledged Baw Baw Shire Council that provided a community grant of $5000 towards the cost of some new equipment for the band.
"We aim to have a program of activities that cater for all".
She said one of the challenges for the RSL was getting "younger" local service veterans to join and encouraged them to visit to see what it offered and also provide feedback on what they would look for in the organisation.
A busy schedule is ahead for Ms Mizen, her executive, sub-committees and members.
There's planning for Anzac Day which is the 110th anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli in World War 1 and, before that, a function on April 20 at which two earthenware crocks of port that have been locked away for 50 years, will be opened to mark half a century since the withdrawal of the last Australian troops from Vietnam.
But the two dates are only a few of the special occasions recognised during the year.
Among the others are events that acknowledge those who've served in conflicts since 1975, on overseas peacekeeping and peacemaking missions, Remembrance Day on November 11, and Vietnam Veterans Day in August.
It will be a busy year for the new Warragul RSL president and her executive but it is a job Ms Mizen said she regarded as a privilege and aimed to build on the outstanding contribution of Mr Vahland and the continued implementation of a five-year strategic plan now in its second year.
Other executive members elected at the annual meeting were senior vice-president leading operations Mark Buttner (ex-Army), vice-president welfare Kylie Sage (former Royal Australian Navy and current Baw Baw Shire citizen of the year), new to the executive and vice-president corporate governance Louise Gale, vice-president communications Bob Green (ex-Army), secretary David Harrison and treasurer Gerardine Crew (husband Keith 21 years Navy).