NEW DIRECTIONS

GARY ESCOTT AND NEW COMMITTEE TAKING RUSSELL ISLAND RSL IN NEW DIRECTIONS

There is a new leadership and talented committee now at the helm of the Russell Island RSL Sub Branch and Club.

Gary Escott is the new president, and he comes to the position with an extensive military service and career.

He started a career in the Navy as a raw recruit at HMAS Cerberus, serving mostly on destroyers, and 22 years later retiring as one of the most respected ranks in any Navy, a Petty Officer.

Later in the Reserves he was a Chief Petty Officer.

Gary’s election to the presidency brings an important strong connection to the Australian services.

After leaving the Navy, Gary and his wife Cheryl lived in Western Australia having brought up three children, with five grand children now on the agenda.

After the Navy, he was involved with working in the hospitality industry at some of the major mine sites in Western Australia, where he managed teams involved with catering.

During Covid, a family wedding introduced Gary and Cheryl to the potential of Russell Island.

“We immediately purchased a block of land and had a great home built for us by Queensland Building Projects.”

On moving here, Gary initially became involved with the RSL and was the Wellbeing Officer for 18 months, looking after matters for former service personnel who live on our islands.

That led to his recent election to the presidency of the sub branch, along with a new committee.

The rest of the new committee are Secretary / VP: Matthew Dowd, Treasurer Geoffrey Bolster, Wellbeing Officer Greg Wills, committee members Renee Dowd, Brian Taylor, Deb Taylor, Sue Bloomfield, Guy Leroy, Greg Wenck.

 Gary and the new committee take over at a time when the sub branch now has at hand a great new ‘veteran hub’ at the RSL Club and complex on Russell Island.

It includes a new veterans room, board room, and manager’s office which includes sophisticated IT and Teleconference amenities.

Gary is a real ‘fan’ of the logo on the side of the Russell Island RSL ‘The Club the Locals Built’.

We want to make the club a ‘welcoming place’ for all islanders.

“We are looking at all aspects and some new directions for the club.

“We also want to reach out to a younger demographic so we include everyone

“This not only includes younger generations, but children as well.”

By way of some new directions, the Veteran Support Hub was officially opened on Saturday May 31, carried out by Redlands MP Rebecca Young.

• RSL president Gary Escott with wife Cheryl on Anzac Day.