Veterans Enjoy 80th Birthday Lunch
Premier Dominic Perrottet and his wife Helen were guests of honour at the recent 80th-anniversary lunch for the Castle Hill RSL Sub-branch.
The Premier presented two veterans, Brian Walters and Phil Evenden, with Life Memberships for their commitment to the sub-branch.
Just over 200 people attended the anniversary lunch which was held over for a year because of Covid restrictions.
Other distinguished guests included Transport Minister David Elliott, Federal Mitchell MP Alex Hawke, Queen Dunbar President of the War Widows Guild of NSW, Hills Mayor, Dr Peter Gangemi, Seven Hills MP Mark Taylor, Major General Warren Genny (Retired), Colonel Jodie Lording, Deputy Commander 8th Training Brigade, President, Castle Hill RSL Group John Payne and Vice President, Annemarie Christie and President, Far Western Metropolitan Council David Ingram. Entertainment was provided by the RNSWR Lancer Band Sextet and singer.
LIFE MEMBERS
BRIAN WALTERS (1/15 Royal NSW Lancers Regiment) joined the RSL sub-branch on 23rd February 1988.
During his 34 years with the RSL he has held many roles within the Castle Hill and Parramatta RSL sub- Branches. 
They included: delegate at Annual State RSL NSW Congresses, Castle Hill sub-Branch Secretary and Treasurer, and members of the Castle Hill RSL Welfare Group visiting older veterans.
Brian is a Member of, National Boer War Memorial Association,a Sydney ANZAC Day March Marshall, a Member, the Royal Aust Armoured Corps Association (NSW), a Member 1/15th Lancer Association, and Member, Men’s Health Peer Association, a DVA initiative. He was awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
PHILLIP EVENDEN (2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment) Joined the RSL 26th August 1974. During his 48 years with the Castle Hill RSL and District sub-Branch, he has been a long term member of the Executive and Committee, Gym Coordinator, Chairman of the Grants’ Committee, long-term coordinator of the Nambus Project for year 10 students studying the Vietnam War.
He also advises schools on ANZAC memorial projects, and assists with their ANZAC services. He raises funds for and coordinating members’ involvement in the Cancer Council’s annual Hills Relay for Life, and sells Legacy badges during Legacy Week each year.
A special 80 Year Anniversary certificate was presented by President of the NSW RSL Ray James and accepted by long-time member Bill Strutton (1067), a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, on behalf of the Castle Hill RSL Sub-branch.
50 Year Certificates were presented to:
• Barry Pareezer (member since 1969);
• Peter Colin Westwoo (member since 1971).
• Robert Duncan (joined in 1972)
• Richard Holmes (joined 1969).
