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Our People

Mr David Thomas

RSL WA | Board Member

Mr David Thomas

David joined the Army on 8 Jan 1975 and completed  21 years of service.  Served at several defence locations and units. Including SASR, 1st Armoured Regiment and 9 Transport Column.

David retired from the Defence Forces as a Warrant Officer Class 2.

On retirement from the defence force, David worked within the resources industry for 27 years in both resources and logistics for remote area facility management throughout Australia and globally.  Working for engineering companies including Fluor Australia and HATCH Engineering on major resources industry projects in the design, build, own, operate and client representative for several large resources transit workers accommodation throughout Western Australia such at Barrow Island and Murrin Murrin. Globally including Mongolia-Oyu Tolgoi Project and New Caledonia-Goro Project.

Business development management for several companies including Aboriginal Corporation PKKP to raise their business arm.  

Completed a Diploma in Human Resources, Hospitality and HS & Environment.

Employed by several major resources companies during COVID19 to develop a COVID19 policy and implementation for their resources villages within the Pilbara region.

In 2008 David started up his own Facility Management group, R2R Services and Akudjura FM that managed several successful transit workers villages, motel and remote villages in the North West and in the wheatbelt area of Western Australia.

Completed a Leadership program in 2005. Leadership WA and awarded a Distinguished Fellows award in 2014.

David has served on several boards and councils. Currently hold the positions:

  • President - Australian Special Air Services Association, WA.
  • President – Claremont RSL Sub-Branch.
  • President – Boer War Memorial Society of WA.
  • Immediate Past President – Royal Agricultural Society of WA.
  • Vice President – National Seniors Australia Perth Western Suburbs Branch.
  • In 2019 David as the president revitalised the Claremont RSL Sub-Branch from closure to a successful small Sub-Branch that was awarded the Denis Connelly.
  • Recruiting Shield in 2022 - Sub-Branches, with a membership less than 60 Financial Members for the recruitment of new members.

Married to Sharon with two adult children and three grandchildren.

Some of David’s highlights include walking the Kokoda Track twice, walked parts of the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi and restored parts of the memorial at Hellfire Pass. Dawn service at Gallipoli twice including the 100th Anniversary in 2015. Visited the Battlefield of France and Dawn Service at Villers Bretonneux.

a gift for the future

"There are several reasons why we decided to leave a gift in our Will to RSL WA. We always try to support local veterans and we have two children currently serving in the Defence force. My grandfather was in the 16th battalion and was a soldier settler post WWI. He was an active member of his local RSL for many years."
Bruce and Betty Smith, Perth

supporter stories
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