Long-time former president of CHRG (Castle Hill RSL Group) Warren Glenny AO passed away on Wednesday 5th July. He was 87.
The Castle Hill Resident was a club director for 26 years and President for 17 years. He had dedicated 70 years of his life serving his community through various roles including Commissioner of St John Ambulance and Commander of the 1/15th NSW Lancers.
The retired Major General was also Patron of numerous service clubs and charities.
He joined the Royal New South Wales Lancers in 1950 as a regimental cadet and did national service in 1953 before completing his time in the Lancers as Lt Colonel and Commanding officer in 1975.
He held several posts at Reserve HQ and in 1990 was promoted to Major General and was sent to Melbourne to command 3rd Division and then to Sydney to Command 2nd Division and serve full time in the Reserves.
He was an honorary ambulance officer early in his life which was followed by a 7-year stint as a volunteer firefighter. He was heavily involved in the Parramatta Foundation Week Procession (1964 to 1976) and in later life was chair of the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council among other appointments.
He worked in the wool industry for nine years and for a time worked in the steel industry. He was a retail executive which included time as General Manager with K-Mart in 1986 and GM for Coles Myer-Linfox joint venture. He accepted early retirement and later became CEO of AUSTCARE (Australia’s Overseas Refugee Aid Organisation (1996 to 2002) which included clearing landmines in Cambodia.
Warren was the recipient of numerous awards for service. He was appointed an Order of Australia, a Commander of the Order of St John, was a recipient of the Chief of Army’s Commendation, and the Reserve Forces Decoration to name a few.
CHRG Group general manager David O’Neill said Warren was an inspirational leader, mentor and friend – kind, compassionate, considerate and committed to his family, friends, colleagues and the community.
“He was a true statesman respected, and admired by all that met him,” he said. “Warren will be best remembered as a loving husband, father, mentor and friend.”
Cheryl Hill, President of the Castle Hill sub-branch, said that Warren first joined the sub-branch in 1960 and had been a member for 63 years.
“Warren regularly attended sub-Branch meetings and was an avid supporter of the sub-Branch and all of its activities,” she said.
“He was a very compassionate man, a great mentor, always ready to give his time and to listen, his guidance and wisdom will be greatly missed.”
Warren is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gay and their son Andrew.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, 14th July at 11am at All Saints Church North Parramatta.
The Glenny family have asked for donations to the Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.
