President of the City of Newcastle RSL sub branch Ken Fayle will receive a certificate of life membership at a special presentation on Monday, October 8.
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A familiar face to those who attend the city’s Anzac and Remembrance Day services, Ken Fayle has been a continuous member of the branch for 39 years and has sat on its executive committee for 18.
Mr Fayle’s contribution to the RSL goes far deeper than his role hosting Newcastle’s dawn service, said close friend and sub branch vice-president Stephen Finney.
“I am the one who nominated him simply because he deserves recognition for what he’s done and what he continues to do,” Mr Finney said.
“He’s the type of person who rolls his sleeves up and gets into it.
“He’s not after the recognition but he deserves it. And he’s bloody getting it.”
Mr Finney attributes the growth of the crowd at the Nobbys Anzac dawn service from 1500 people to 55,000 people over two decades to Mr Fayle’s work.
“It’s the quality of the service he organises. We have audiovisuals and live music: the army band and choirs,” Mr Finney said.
“It’s a very professionally-run service and Ken’s responsible for that.”
Mr Fayle said the increase in the service’s attendance has been one of his proudest achievements while serving the RSL, as well as being asked to become a trustee of the Newcastle Memorial Walk.
“It’s an amazing piece of infrastructure. To say I had a wee bit to do with that is just great,” he said.
Receiving a life membership is also a matter of legacy, he said.
“Probably the proudest thing is that I am a third-generation life member.
“My grandfather was a light horseman and was made a life member at the Coogee Randwick sub branch. My father [Tom Fayle] received a life membership having a lot to do with rejuvenating the City of Newcastle sub-branch after the earthquake.
“I don’t know if there’s many third-generation life members out there.”
Mr Fayle credits the volunteer service of his wife Pauline as his inspiration for getting involved in the RSL.
“I realised how important being a volunteer was.
“If you take something out of the community, you put something back in.
“Whilst I could have done a number of things I decided I would focus on the RSL and I’m glad I have.”
Mr Fayle hosted his last Anzac dawn service earlier this year and plans to step back from his role as president in 2021.
Mr Fayle said he hopes to continue his work on the executive committee to provide support to younger members.
“I’d hate to tell him to stop!” Mr Finney said.
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