Three members of the Coolamon RSL Sub Branch have been recognised for the service they have given to the RSL and community. Our dedicated Secretary, Angela McCann, was presented with the ‘ANZAC of the Year 2026’ by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC and the President of RSL Australia, Mr Peter Tinley, at the RSLNSW State Congress in Tamworth. The award was one of seven awarded across Australia. The Citation reads: “ in recognition of outstanding service to fellow Australians and to the community in a positive, selfless and compassionate manner in accordance with the best traditions exemplified by the ANZACs. As Honorary Secretary of the Coolamon RSL Sub-Branch, for more than 20 years, you have been the steady, compassionate force behind its operations, connecting veterans with essential services, navigating DVA processes, and ensuring that no veteran or their family goes without the support they need and deserve. Your leadership in organising the annual ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies has brought generations together in remembrance, while your curation of the ANZAC Art Exhibition, now in its twentieth year, has transformed it into one of the Riverina's most respected community events. Through the Art Prize and the schools Art Prize, you have fostered creativity, encouraged reflection, and strengthened local pride. You have been a generous mentor to those who follow in your footsteps, inspiring others to step forward, take up the mantle of service, and carry the Anzac spirit into the next generation”. Meanwhile, David McCann was the recipient of the RSL Meritorious Service Medal for service to the RSL. For the past six year, David has been a Director on the Board of RSLNSW and was appointed Deputy Chair, he has overseen the Veterans and Service Policy Committee, Selections Committee and has represented RSLNSW on the National Veterans Advisory Committee and has appeared before a Senate Committee arguing for proper medallic recognition for Veterans. He joined the RSL in 1986 and has been an active member at Sub-Branch, District and State Level. David completed his tenue on the Board of RSLNSW at the Congress in Tamworth. During the awards ceremony, recognition was also given to members who were awarded Life Membership of the RSL during 2026. Among those acknowledged for achieving the milestone was Coolamon RSL Sub-Branch President, Mr Alan Smith.
