Community
6 March, 2025
Meade makes history as new RSL president
THE Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch has proudly broken 104 years of tradition to name Dianne Meade its new president.
Mrs Meade becomes both the first woman and the first affiliate member (non-service) to be named the Terang RSL president.
What she does have, however, is a rich family lineage of military service, all of whom have been highly regarded members of the Terang RSL, in addition to herself being part of the sub-branch longer than she can remember.
Her parents, Russell and Mavis Reeves, were long-time members of the Terang RSL.
Her father was a former Terang RSL president and her mother was a former Ladies Auxiliary president.
Both Russell and Mavis Reeves went on to become life members and had each received a Certificate of Merit, the highest recognition RSL Victoria gives.
Mrs Meade also has a brother, Alan, who was conscripted to National Service between 1965 and 1972.
The family’s certificates, life memberships and a range of photographs and memorabilia adorn of walls of the RSL hall to this day, and the club’s meeting room is even named ‘The Russ Reeves Meeting Room’.
“Going back to the early 1950s, my parents were heavily involved in the RSL right from the word go,” Mrs Meade said.
“The Terang RSL was like a second home to me growing up, and I’ve been an affiliate member for a lot of years - even as a young girl, my mum used to pay my membership so I’d be on the books.
“It’s been in my blood my whole life.”
Mrs Meade said following in her father’s footsteps to serve as club president was an overwhelming experience.
“It means an awful lot just to be part of it,” she said.
“To be part of it and carrying on dad’s legacy means so much to my family and I.”
Mrs Meade takes over from former president Terry Fidge, who had been in the role for the past four years, as he felt it was time to stand down and put “some fresh blood in the mix” for the 67 paid up sub-branch members.
“Dianne put her hand up and we’re very fortunate and grateful to have her on board,” he said.
“During my time the hall has expanded and we’ve had so much support from the community.
“ANZAC Day is always a huge day, it’s great having the school kids come though and the donations of memorabilia from families and friends of those who answered the call during times of conflict has been phenomenal.
“We’re trying to reflect on their history, their past and what they got up to.
“People now call the RSL Hall a museum — and it’s not far from the truth.”
Mr Fidge said the decision to break from tradition and name Mrs Meade the new club president, which required a formal submission for approval to RSL Victoria, was unanimous among the club’s membership.
“To be president of any RSL you’re supposed to be a service member, someone who has worn an ADF uniform, but now there’s not many around,” Mr Fidge said.
“The younger ones are all working - when I was their age, I was as well - so to get a non-service member in we had to apply through RSL Victoria.
“We nominated Dianne through RSL Victoria and because of her parents, who both received the highest award RSL Victoria can issue, they jumped at the idea and felt it was a great move.”
While the RSL has broken tradition to name Mrs Meade president, she feels her presidency will take the opposite route — relying on stability and consistency for the thriving Terang RSL.
It is a fitting move for a sub-branch comprised of a membership which has been steadfast in doing things their own way.
The RSL hall was purchased from the Wheatsheaf Hotel by two World War One veterans and the original hall was built by returned veterans from both World War One and Two.
To this day it remains one of the few halls owned by members, who have a firm commitment it always will be.
The members have long been progressive in caring far more about the dedication and commitment of its members than their gender, race or religion.
It is this united approach which has seen the collective hailed among the best run sub-branches in Victoria, and a reason why Mrs Meade has no plans to fix what isn’t broken during her presidency.
“Hopefully I can keep it as it is,” she said.
“Terry (Fidge) and the other members have done a magnificent job getting it where it is today.
“Hopefully it will continue smoothly the way it has been, and I’ll be happy with that.”
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