Our Patrons
Community Patron
Mr Rob Mitchell, MP
Federal Member for McEwen
Military Patron
Warrant Officer Don Spinks, OAM
Former Regimental Sergeant Major Army
WHO ARE WE
Our Supporter
Ros Spence MP
State member for Yuroke
Committee Members
Kevin O’Callaghan, ESM
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 – 7thTransport 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.
John Lynch, OAM, KSJ, JP, FRVAHJ
Vice President
John retired after an aviation career, as both a technician and senior manager, that spanned sixty years that included service in the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm (RAN), Trans Australia Airlines (TAA), QANTAS, Gulfair and New Guinea Civil Aviation. John’s aviation career also included a period where he founded his own aviation consultancy company.
John’s RAN service included operational deployments with the Far East Strategic Reserve during the Malayan Emergency. John was Defence service was recognised with the award of the Australian Active Service Medal, Australian General Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal.
John served as the President of a traditional RSL Sub-Branch at Romsey, Victoria, from 2005 – 2014 and is a Life Member of the Sub-Branch. John is Vice President of the Australian Malayan Borneo Veterans Association and is a Fellow of the Royal Victoria Association of Honorary Justices.
John and his wife Carline have been residents of Craigieburn since 2014. John believes, that as a Veteran he has an obligation to honour those who have served Australia, especially those who paid the supreme sacrifice.
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.
Cr Drew Jessop, OAM
Treasurer
Drew has lived in Craigieburn with his wife Ann and family since 1985, and is a current serving Hume councillor for Aitken Ward, having represented the area in this role since 1997. Drew has had extensive governance experience in a wide range of not-for profit, community, primary school, and sporting groups in the Craigieburn district. In addition to his treasurer role in this Committee and foundation member of the Craigieburn ANZAC Day Service, Drew is currently a sponsor/member of the Craigieburn Basketball Association, Bowling Club and Football Clubs respectively, member of the Craigieburn Residents’ Association, the Highlands Residents’ Association, and long serving church council member (currently Secretary) of the St Thomas’ Uniting Church Craigieburn. He is also an honorary member of the Craigieburn SES Unit. Drew has a strong family connection to the Great War (Grandfather and two Great Uncles who served in France) and has an enduring commitment to recognising those who served, and sacrificed so much for our country.
Paul Ledwich
Member
Paul has lived in Craigieburn with his wife Emily, son Martin and daughter Maria since 1979 when he moved to Craigieburn at the time of the Reserve Bank relocation. Paul worked as printer at the Reserve Bank for over 30 years until he retired in 1990. Paul is a foundation member of the Victoria State Emergency Service – Craigieburn Unit – and has served with distinction since 1981. Paul is also a foundation member of the Craigieburn ANZAC Day Committee, being a key member in re-instituting the Service in 2008. It is Paul’s desire to see the ANZAC Day Service maintained as an enduring part of Community life. Paul and Emily have also been long standing parishioners of Our Lady’s; both actively participating in Parish life. Paul completed his National Service Commitment in 1957 and served in the 2nd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (Citizen Military Forces) for over nine years.
Ken Bone
Member
Ken and his family were posted to Melbourne in 1997 and settled in Greenvale. His Defence/RAAF career of 30 years include 14 years in RAAF Base Darwin, 2 years in Butterworth (Malaysia), 2 ½ years in RAAF Base Tindal, then Laverton and Victoria Barracks, Melbourne. Working from Victoria Barracks he taught auditors and certified various sections of all three services (RAAF, Army and Navy units) based in all states around Australia. He continued this until discharge in 2012. His father also served in the second World War in the RAAF, (being severely injured in Singapore).
He is an active serving church council member of St Johns Lutheran church in Southbank. He believes it is important for young children to understand what has happened and the sacrifices made, and over the years he and Christine have been involved in ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services held at his grand-childrens’ primary school. As part of the commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018 he planted a Gallipoli Oak in the Greenvale Primary School gardens. He’s also spent time with Year 6 children, answering a diverse number of their questions. He is also extremely proud of his grandchildren marching with him each ANZAC Day and wearing his, his father’s and grandmother’s medals at these times.
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.
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
Alec Mead, OAM
Member
To be advised