Ray and Pauline James - A dynamic Duo

Introducing Ray and Pauline James   Ray and Pauline James are a husband and wife team who collaborate marvellously to provide RSL services to Veterans.  Ray is active as an RSL Member in many appointments including President of RSL NSW.  Pauline had contributed uniquely as State Manager for RSL NSW Auxiliaries. They together produce an astounding contribution to veterans that is uniquely impactful.  The outline follows of each of their contributions to our Australian way of life.   Introducing Ray James OAM President of RSL NSW Ray is also appointed to the following Associated Entities: Director RSL National Chair of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd ANZAC House Trust Anzac Memorial Trust Australian Forces and Overseas Fund RSL Life Care A Vietnam veteran, Ray James served over 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy, with another 26 years in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He also served with the Transport Investigation Branch and NSW Police Force. Ray has held senior positions at RSL sub-Branch and District Council levels and is currently a member of Ingleburn RSL sub-Branch. He is also chair of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd and Vice President of the NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.     Introducing Pauline James  OAM. State Co-Ordinator, RSL NSW Auxiliaries.   Pauline has been a great Vietnam Veterans supporter for many years.  She lost three cousins in Vietnam and one more later.   Pauline James was born in Coonamble, country New South Wales, the oldest of 7 children.    Pauline was introduced to the life of Veterans and their needs from a young age. Her grandfather, uncles and cousins served in various Wars. Many lost their lives. Pauline married a Vietnam Veteran in the early 1970s and has witnessed first hand the struggles of those who serve.   In 2009, Pauline became an active member of Ingleburn RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary.   Pauline was elected in 2011 as Western & Southern Metropolitan Councillor on the RSL NSW Central Council of Women’s Auxiliaries and then in 2014 was elected Deputy State President.  And in 2016, she became the State President.   Pauline was the State Co- Ordinator of RSL Auxiliaries in 2019 when the auxiliaries included male members for the first time in the auxiliaries history.   During her time in these various positions Pauline has dedicated a large amount of her time to building up membership within the RSL Women’s Auxiliaries across NSW. She has also raised awareness of Veterans issues to the broader community.    In 2014 Pauline commissioned the ‘Lest We Forget Quilt Project’.  Pauline with her team of ladies supported the Invictus Games held in Sydney in 2018 by donating specially made quilts.  Pauline also introduced Thank You for Your Service Quilts in 2019.   Lest We Forget “We may not have made a Rembrandt or Norman Lindsay, but what we have made has been made with love and respect for our service men and women”.   Pauline says “I look back and think about how as a young Navy Wife I boldly fronted the council at Redfern and got a building to start the first Navy playgroup, which was a great success”.