Brian McInneny is synonymous with the Shepparton RSL sub-branch.
He is a man who has been front and centre at Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services in Shepparton, acting as the MC for the past 12 years.
He has also been the senior vice-president of the Shepparton RSL sub-branch for the past nine years, and was the appeals officer for six years between 2007 and 2013.
Mr McInneny is also a man who has served on the Veteran’s Welfare Committee, and has been a regular hospital and home visitor of veterans over the years.
Mr McInneny is also a Vietnam veteran himself, having been drafted into national service in the Australian Army for two years from September 1966.
Included in his time was serving in Vietnam from March to August in 1968 as an infantryman in the Mortar Platoon with the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.
Recently, he was awarded an Australian RSL life membership in appreciation of his services to the Victorian branch of the RSL.
The life membership was presented in front of about 160 people at the Shepparton RSL sub-branch’s Over 60s and Volunteer Luncheon at the Shepparton RSL Club.
Mr McInneny’s wife, Judy, children, grandchildren, two brothers and a sister-in-law all attended the lunch to see him receive his award, with their presence kept a surprise until he was on stage about to be awarded the life membership.
Mr McInneny said the life membership was a total surprise to him.
“It really shocked me. I knew nothing about it,” he said.
“I was gob-smacked.”
And while he does seek accolades, Mr McInneny said he was pleased with receiving a life membership.
“It’s not something given out often,” he said.
“I feel it’s a big honour.
“It’s nice to get the recognition.”
Mr McInneny joined the RSL as soon as he got back from Vietnam.
He was initially a member of the Sunshine RSL sub-branch, where he was living at the time, and remained a member there for five years.
Having moved around quite a bit, Mr McInneny also spent time as a member of RSL sub-branches in Moe (two and a half years), Tatura (10 years), East Malvern (two years), and Waverley (10 years) before joining the Shepparton RSL sub-branch in 2000.
Mr McInneny said he joined the RSL to “work for the older ex-soldiers and to look after them”.
Now aged 78 himself, he is aware that he is now probably classified as one of these “older ex-soldiers” himself.