Community
15 May, 2025
Pam earns highest honour for dedicated decades
ALMOST 30 years of dedicated service has seen one member of the Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) receive the highest honour they can achieve.
Terang RSL secretary-treasurer Pam Bell was presented with an Award of Merit with Gold Badge last Wednesday – the highest award an affiliate RSL member can receive.
Her fellow RSL members had worked behind the scenes to lodge the nomination and surprise Ms Bell with the honour.
“I was extremely surprised, and extremely humbled,” she said.
“It was totally unexpected so I’m very appreciative but I’ve always preferred to be the behind-the-scenes person without a fuss being made.
“I’m grateful the RSL members thought to apply for this.
“I’ve been here for coming up on 30 years – I do it because I love it, and it means a lot to my family and I.”
The RSL has proved a second home for Ms Bell throughout her life as her family’s involvement in the sub-branch spans three generations.
Her grandfather, Charlie Paton, was a World War One veteran and one of the Terang RSL’s first presidents.
Her father, Jack Bell, was a World War Two veteran and a member of the Terang RSL for 50 years.
Her mother, Wilma Bell (nee Paton), was a president of the Terang RSL Woman’s Auxiliary and a life member.
Ms Bell had two uncles on mother’s side serve in World War Two, in addition to her father and his four brothers.
“We were brought up as part of the RSL from a very young age,” she said.
“My dad served in the second World War and when he came back to Terang he immediately joined the RSL sub-branch in 1947. He passed away in 1997.
“Mum had become part of the Women’s Auxiliary and she was president for 10 years straight, and was awarded a life membership before she passed away.
“That’s where I feel I honour my parents – every Anzac Day I proudly wear my father’s medals on one side, and my mother’s life membership medal on the other.”
The decision to bestow the award was a no-brainer for the selection committee and was quickly approved.
The award carries strict criteria surrounding length of service, holding office, self-sacrifice for the service and a lengthy history of aiding both the RSL and those who served their country.
Tears flowed when Ms Bell was presented with the honour in an emotional moment for RSL members, who struggled to find the words to express their gratitude for the quiet dedication she has exemplified for almost three decades.
Terang RSL president Dianne Meade said her parents had also received an Award of Merit, and knowing what an accomplishment it was made it all the sweeter to present to Ms Bell.
“She puts in so much work, all volunteer work, for the past 29 years,” she said.
“Pam has been through 17 or 18 presidents, and has been amazing in supporting all of them.
“It means a lot to us because she means a lot to us – we’re all one big family.”
Ms Bell shared the same sentiment, acknowledging she viewed her fellow members as an extended family.
“We not only work together as a sub-branch but we also socialise together as a group,” she said.
“We’re a team, we all support each other.
“It’s a privilege to receive this honour, but it’s even more of a privilege to be a member of the Terang RSL.”
Ms Bell said she was proud to be a member of the Terang RSL sub-branch, which continues to grow from strength-to-strength.
“To me it is to make sure that any ex-serviceman does not need or want for anything,” she said.
“We are there to help, which is why we do what we do and love what we do.
“When I was first approached to become secretary-treasurer I didn’t hesitate as my mum and dad were still alive.
“I knew how important this place was to them, in addition to the community support that we get from the district.
“It’s absolutely incredible – where other RSLs are failing, we are growing.”
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