France Bestows National Order of Merit on RSL Australia National President on Anzac Day.

MEDIA RELEASE

Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) National President Greg Melick has been awarded a prestigious French honour in recognition of his exceptional leadership planning for Anzac Centenary commemorations from 2011 to 2018.

Fittingly, the award, an Officer of the Ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit), was presented by the French Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Pierre Andre Imbert, at a ceremony at the French Embassy in Canberra on Anzac Day.

The Order of Merit was established by then French President Charles de Gaulle in1963 and is awarded by the current French President.

Greg Melick received the Award for his service to Australian French relations including as Head of the Centenary of Anzac Planning Team. This included extensive planning for commemorations and activities throughout northern France and Belgium and Australia’s position as the nation of honour for 2016 July 14 parade in Paris.

Greg Melick said he was extremely honoured to receive the Award on behalf of all those Australians who had been involved in marking the centenary of our extensive contributions in France and other theatres of war.

“It is humbling to receive this significant honour on the 110th anniversary of the ANZACs landing at Gallipoli,” he said.

The son of a World War II veteran, Greg Melick began his 52 years of service with the Army Reserve in 1966 where he commanded at all levels, from Section to Brigade, before being promoted to Major General and becoming Australia’s most senior Reserve Officer in 2007. He is the Colonel Commandant of the 1st Commando Regiment and President of the Australian Commando Association. He has been visiting battlefields and cemeteries in France and Belgium annually since 1997.

Greg Melick was elected National President of the RSL in 2019 and has been a member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial since 2015