STRATFORD Football-Netball Club legend, Reginald ‘Reg’ Saunders MBE was publicly acknowledged at this year’s Stratford RSL Sub Branch Anzac Day service.
Stratford RSL Sub Branch President, Ben Davis made the acknowledgement last Thursday during his address at the Anzac Commemorative March and Service at town’s cenotaph at Memorial Park.
“This year we at the RSL are pleased that the Stratford Football-Netball Club have joined in the march today in recognition of the many who have served both our country and played football for our great club here in Stratford,” he said.
“One such person was a 1955 premiership player Reg Saunders … awarded an MBE, Reg was the first Aboriginal Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army.
“Reg served in the Second World War and the Korean War. Following the Korean War, Reg being a sawmill worker, moved to Maffra-Briag where he played for Stratford.
“A man who loved his country and also our football club. People speak of a speech he gave at the club in 1989 where he spoke about his upbringing and how much support the club and community had given him. He was known as a resilient man with a strength of character, two of the values that the football club and our community strive to embody as we go about our lives both on and off the field.”
Reginald Saunders MBE was the first Aboriginal Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army. Photo: File
President of Stratford RSL Sub Branch, Ben Davis (left) at the Anzac Day march. Photo: Stefan Bradley
Squadron Leader Mitchell Brewis (from RAAF Base, East Sale) was invited to address the assembly and acknowledge those who have served and died in wars. Photo: Stefan Bradley
