With a strong family history in the Australian Defence Force, including her own time serving in the navy for the best part of a decade, Lynda Zappelli is leading from the front at her local RSL sub branch.
Ms Zappelli took over as president of the Armadale RSL in May last year and is officially the branch’s first female president and one of the youngest in the branch’s history to serve the committee.
She joined the navy in 2001 after being involved in navy cadets TS Perth since she was 13 years old.
“I joined the navy as an aircraft mechanical engineer and served full time until 2011 where I was medically stood down due to injuries from service,” she said.
“I felt obligated to join as every generation up to my great-great grandfather had served.”
Ms Zappelli said she decided to take on the role of president in an attempt to help veterans who had fought at various wars for our country.
“We are supplying drumbeat therapy, starting a horticulture club and provide occupational therapy and exercise physiology access through the local suppliers for injury management and aids and appliances,” she said.
“We do cook ups and cheap nights to eat for those on a tight income especially whilst waiting for claims processes through Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We also supply aid to veterans and/or widows in times of need.”
Ms Zappelli is also the Western Australian liaison officer for Whiskey’s Wish, which is a charity organisation that provide service dogs for veterans, first line responders, SES and prison officers to help with physical and psychological injuries.
