General News
27 February, 2026
Sally Bertram inducted into RSL Hall of Fame
RSL volunteer Sally Bertram has been inducted into the Victorian RSL Hall of Fame for her tireless dedication to veterans and their families.
A local RSL volunteer has recently been inducted into their Victorian Hall of Fame.
Sally Bertram was a subcommittee member of the Horsham RSL from 2015 to 2017.
She was a general committee member from 2018 to 2023, focusing on researching ex-service and serving people, and serving as the media correspondent.
In addition to being a general committee member, Ms Bertram was the appeals officer; a position she continues to hold.
When asked about how she felt when she learned of the nomination, Ms Bertram admitted she was extremely surprised.
"They kept the secret well for a while, and I didn't know anything about it," she admitted.
But she admitted the accolade wasn't just about her own recognition.
"It's not just me; it's all the people behind me that assist me in getting there," she said.
"The help we get is phenomenal in this town... our clubs, community members, the RSL and the committee, volunteers, the RSL staff, schools, the veterans.
"We do this for our veterans."
Ms Bertram became involved with the RSL through a connection with her grandfather, Robert Charles.
"His contribution to the RSL was a lot in his life, which was short," Ms Bertram explained.
"He restarted the RSL when support wavered after World War I.
"He got a 64-person delegation and managed to get the RSL going on June 29, 1932, due to the increasing need for help and welfare as former soldiers found that when they returned from war, it impacted them for life.
"He basically was in there providing as much as he could for them in his time."
Ms Bertram fondly recalled her grandfather encouraging greater recognition for returned soldiers and upholding their prestige.
"It's something a lot of people don't do these days," she admitted.
"He strived to increase the observance of Armistice Day, as it was known back then (now Remembrance Day), and he gave a lot to the needy."
Ms Bertram added that her grandfather was also the president from 1932 to 1937.
"That's pretty much my motivation, and my grandma was also on the ladies auxiliary, and they did a lot too," she said.
Ms Bertram, who regularly supplies Wimmera Mallee News with contributions under "Veterans Voices", has long been a much-appreciated and needed link between veterans and their families, dedicating countless hours to researching the stories of both local veterans and those outside the region.
In the letter of nomination submitted by the Horsham RSL Sub-Branch Inc, it was noted that Ms Bertram's commitment to preserving and sharing these narratives has made her an indispensable figure within the Returned and Services League (RSL) and the broader Wimmera community.
Ms Bertram has played a central role in facilitating meetings with families to document and share their stories, as well as curating displays at the Horsham RSL.
In 2015, Ms Bertram played a key role in coordinating the Centenary of Service Gallipoli exhibition, presented to approximately 600 school students and Indigenous groups during the week of April 19 to 25 at the Horsham RSL.
In 2018, she led another significant exhibition commemorating the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.
This display honoured the enduring sacrifice and service of Australia's military personnel and drew recognition from dignitaries, including Minister for Veterans Affairs Darren Chester.
"Her efforts have ensured all branches of the armed services are celebrated and represented, often through features in local newspapers," the nomination read.
Most notably, during Covid, when many community connections were disrupted, Ms Bertram ensured that veterans' stories continued to be told.
In 2020, Ms Bertram was instrumental in the publication of Veterans Voices in the Horsham Times, a project that helped families reconnect with their heritage and honour their loved ones' service.
But Ms Bertram's community engagement extends beyond exhibits and historical research.
Over the past decade, she has brought together a diverse range of groups, including businesses, clubs, and even the Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP, to gain support for the RSL's appeals.
The nomination noted Ms Bertram's dedicated efforts have raised significant funds for veterans and their families.
"In her voluntary role, Sally has consistently gone above and beyond," it continued to read.
"She has led radio interviews, authored articles for print media, and even traced her own family's military history back to Vignacourt, France, where her grandfather, Robert Edward Charles, served during World War I.
"He was also one of the early presidents of the Horsham Sub-Branch in the 1930s, a legacy Sally proudly upholds."