Our Purpose

The Management, Conduct and Development of the Craigieburn War Memorial, ANZAC Day Service and other related Remembrance activities.

Our Patrons

Community Patron

Military Patron

Group Captain Carl Schiller, OAM, CSM (Rtd)
Royal Australian Air Force

Group Captain Carl Schiller’s Air Force career spanned 46 years, commencing as an enlisted airman. Initially trained in communications and cryptography, he saw active service with No2 Squadron in Vietnam. Carl was commissioned as an Adminstrative Officer shortly after his return to Australia.

Carl had numerous postings and a wide variety of employment that included officer training, recruitment, personnel and force structure development. In 1987 Carl retired from the Air Force and taught teaching at Secondary College in Accounting and Economics.

Carl rejoined the Airforce in 1996 and was involved in developing Force Structure and the establishment of a national structure for the Air Force Reserves.

Carl was decorated in the Australia Day Honours List with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2003 and with the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) in 2014 for his contribution to Force Development.

Carl served as President, Air Force Association – Victoria from 2015 to 2018 and remains a Director on the Association’s Board. Carl was appointed National President in 2017 and is also Patron of B24 Liberator Restoration Australia. Carl resides in New Gisborne with his wife, Christine.

Our Supporters

Ros Spence MP

State member for Kalkallo

Iwan Walters MP

State Member for Greenvale

Committee Members

Kevin O’Callaghan, ESM, OAM

President

Kevin and his wife Anne moved to Craigieburn in 1978 and have both been involved as volunteer members of the Craigieburn Unit of the Victoria State Emergency Service; Kevin is a foundation member (1981) and Anne since 1986 . Kevin retired after forty-two years as a Defence Public Servant working as a senior executive in project management and fleet sustainment. Kevin served in the Citizens Military Force (Army Reserve) from 1972 until 1975 – 7^thTransport Company, Royal Australian Army Service Corps/Royal Australian Corps of Transport. Kevin is a member of the Epping RSL Sub-Branch. Kevin, along with Paul Ledwich and Fred Tyrrell, assisted by the Craigieburn SES Unit, reintroduced the Craigieburn ANZAC Day Service in 2008 and he continues to be involved to the present. Kevin was awarded the Emergency Services Medal in the 2003 Australia Day Honours list. Kevin was named Hume Citizen of the Year on Australia Day in 2014, and was awarded ANZAC of the Year by RSL National in 2018. Kevin was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2026 Australia Day Honours List.

Alan Bolton

Vice President

Alan Bolton and Maureen have lived in Craigieburn / Mickleham for some 33 years. Alan is a Past Master in Freemasonry. His Lodge did a lot of Charity work in the Brunswick, Coburg and Preston areas.After Alan completed his apprenticeship in the trade of Fitting & Turning he joined the Victorian Public Service. He was later employed at the Apprenticeship Commission and then joined the TAFE system for 34 years.Alan was at Kangan TAFE as Facilities and Security Manager where he was awarded Security Manager of the year in 2010 by the Australian Security Industry Association: Ltd (ASIAL).

Alan served time in the Army, a member of the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RAEME) with 3 Electrical Mechanical Engineers (later 105 Field workshop). Alan has been a member of the Watsonia RSL for 45 years. Alan & Maureen spend a lot of time at their holiday home at Inverloch, Vic and are co-founders the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club which was established in 1998, and are now Life Members.Alan is the licensee and he and Maureen manage the bar between them during the summer season.
Alan has been very active in the Craigieburn area wherebyhe was Deputy Mayor of the Hume City Council representing, Aitken Ward.

Community projects Alan was involved in were;
– Craigieburn War Memorial and Remembrance Committee – financial Life Member
– Splash /-Athletics / Anzac Park
– Craigieburn Dog Park
– Installation of white fencing to D.S. Aitken oval
– Upgrade of Craigieburn Bowling Club, Craigieburn Sporting Club and other facilities,

Josie Mitzi

Secretary

Josie and her family have lived in Craigieburn since 1982 and is an active member of Our Lady’s Parish Community. Josie has worked for Hume City Council for over twenty-five years and currently holds the position of Children’s Library Technician at Craigieburn Library. Josie has been a member of many community groups and strongly believes that volunteering can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organisations in need. Josie is very keen to be part of the ANZAC team to help highlight the importance of remembering those who have fought for our home and country.

Major Domenic Mercuri

Treasurer

Major Domenic Mercuri joined the Citizens Military Forces in 1973, and apart from a short break, is still serving in the Army Reserve – a total of 47 years. Dom moved to Craigieburn in 1977 and has been involved with several community groups that have included the Craigieburn Emergency Response Team, and Apex Australia. Dom is currently serving with the Headquarters that oversees the management and training of the Australian Army Cadet Units.

Elwyn Randall

Member

Biography to be advised

Wayne Jordan

Member

Wayne is a foundation member of the CWMRC and has been involved since the early days of 2008 when the first ANZAC Day Service was held in Craigieburn. Wayne is a former member of the Royal Australian Air Force. Wayne is also a Volunteer with the Victoria State Emergency Service – Craigieburn Unit (over 35 years), a Volunteer with the Craigieburn Emergency Response Team (over 20 years). Wayne, along with his wife Maree, also a SES (30 years) and Cert (20 years) Volunteer, are mainstays of the CWMRC.

Vicky Casha

Member

Vicky and her husband Mario have resided in Craigieburn since 1988. Vicky is an active volunteer member of the Victoria State Emergency Service; joining in 1989. Vicky is also an active member of Our Lady’s Parish Community. Vicky is a home maker and is the proud mother of David and Michael. Vicky has also been an active member, since 2008, of the Craigieburn ANZAC Day planning group and takes great pride participating in the conduct of our local ANZAC Day Service.

Philip Whitehead

Member

Biography to be advised

Alan Penaluna, ESM

Member

Alan moved to Craigieburn in 1982 and was one of the first members to join the newly formed Victoria State Emergency Service – Craigieburn Unit. Alan had previously served as a St John Ambulance Volunteer for over twelve years, including several as a member of the St John Road Accident Rescue Team. Alan commenced as an Ambulance Officer in 1988 soon qualifying as a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance officer in 1996. Alan is a foundation member of the CWMRC and has been involved in the management of ANZAC Day Services since 2008. The relocation of the Commemorative Stone to the new Craigieburn SES Memorial occurred during Alan’s tenure as Controller. Alan was recognized for his service to the Community through the award of the Emergency Services Medal in the Australian Day Honours List in 2006