Long serving Orange Ex-Services’ Club staff member Julie Archer has been honoured for her decades of service to the club and now joins the revered ranks of Life Member.

The announcement and presentation took place last Wednesday night (29 July, 2020) at the Club’s Annual General Meeting.

Julie is now only the 24th person in the club’s history to have received the highly regarded honour of being been named Life Member, and is only one of ten living Life Members.

As a member, Julie Archer has been associated with the Club since 1977 and commenced her employment in 1985.
In her time, Julie has worked under a number of CEO's including Robert (Bob) Cullen, Dominic Connaughton, Cameron Provost, Graham Gentles (whilst he was acting in the CEO position) and the current CEO, Daniel Perkiss, providing invaluable support to those responsible for guiding the operations of the  Club.

For the first 5 years of her employment, Julie was an all-rounder, working across the Administration and in various other roles. Then in 1990, Julie commenced her role as Executive Secretary and since then has worked under four Presidents of the Orange Ex-Services' Club including Lieutenant Colonel Terry Irwin, Russell Jones, Peter Single and the current President, Graham Gentles.

To say Julie has been both an exceptional member and staff member, would not be doing justice to the level of commitment she has shown, since 1977. She is known for going above and beyond every Anzac Day, assisting Veterans throughout the day at the ceremony, march and back at the Club for the luncheons.

Julie is a valued member of the glee club and readily available to every member and every sporting club that is associated with Orange Ex-Services' Club.

Julie has recalled on a number of occasions, how much the club has grown to the thriving entity it is today, from the beginnings where men and women were segmented in to different areas of the Club and couldn't enter spaces together, to the current day of social distancing  — how the times have changed over the years!

Julie’s colleagues, some of whom have worked with her for over 20 years, describe her as generous and always willing to help, a real team player who goes above and beyond, and of course a real friend who will be missed terribly when she retires later this year.

“Julie is one in a million and will be missed by staff and members alike,” said the Club’s longstanding Receptionist, Jo Clifford.

“I have been so fortunate to have worked with Julie, her knowledge is unlimited and she amazes me every day. Julie has shown me guidance, support, love and friendship. The Orange Ex-Services’ Club will not be the same without her.”

“She is a club treasure,” said Leanne Vogler, the Club’s Chief Compliance Officer, “and a wealth of historical knowledge regarding the Club’s progress through time and all the characters who have contributed to fabric of our Club… and beneath her professional exterior lies a wicked sense of humour!”

Leanne also encouraged Julia to transfer all that history into a book.

David Carson the Chief Human Resources Officer added, “Julie has always been our rock, our link to the past, our courage in the present and our hope and aspiration for the future. She has been the one constant, the heart and soul of the Club who reminds us how far we have come and shows us that together there is nothing we cannot achieve or overcome. We thank you with all our hearts for your loyalty, compassion and friendship, our steadfast companion, we will miss you.”

On long-time members who has known Julie for years, simply said: “When I think of Orange Ex-Services' Club, I intrinsically think of Julie Archer.”

The Board of Directors is unchanged for the Club following the AGM, with Graham Gentles being confirmed once again as President to lead the Club on the Board for the next 12 months.