mmg.com.au

Deniliquin RSL Sub-branch recruited its first ever affiliate member at its board meeting on Tuesday night last week.

Neville Austin was given the honour of receiving RSL NSW’s newest class of membership.

It wasn’t until May last year that RSL NSW made it possible for sub-branches to accept affiliate members, but Deniliquin did not start recruiting until this year.

‘‘It isn’t compulsory to have affiliate members, it’s really up to each sub-branch,’’ Deniliquin RSL Sub-branch president Don Ward said.

‘‘But as most of our members are getting on (in age) we thought it would be a good idea (to start recruiting).’’

An affiliate member must be at least 18 years old and comply with at least one of the following:

■ A relative of a person (living or deceased) who is or was eligible to be a service or life member of the RSL;

■ A person who has been awarded the certificate of merit or a national or state certificate of appreciation for giving valuable service to the league;

■ A cadet and/or officer of cadets;

■ Any such person deemed by the sub-branch committee to have provided significant service to the sub-branch and who supports the objects of the league.

Mr Ward said his committee was more than happy to accept Mr Austin as an affiliate member.

‘‘Neville is a great person to have as our first affiliate member. He probably meets a number of criteria.’’

Affiliate members may serve in any position on a sub-branch committee but cannot be elected as president or vice president.

‘‘We’d be more than happy to talk to other people who are interested in becoming an affiliate member,’’ Ward said.