"In my view, Rocky Hill is the best place in Australia to have a remembrance service," he said.

"It is the most eerie and moving experience anyone could have to stand up there, especially in the early morning and look out over the city. It sends a chill down your spine and it's as close as anything to Anzac Cove. It's been a highlight of my role."

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Mr Wade stepped down as Goulburn RSL Sub Branch president on August 6 after 20 years. Former secretary, Mal Ritchie was elected to the role on October 21, when a general meeting could finally be held.

Mr Wade said after two decades it was time for a change but cited many highlights. He joined the Sub Branch in 1985, became vice-president in 1998 and the following year was asked by the board to stand for the top job.

His father and three uncles were World War Two veterans, while his grandfather served in World War One. Mr Wade himself was an army reservist for 20 years from 1965.

"I had very good mentors who were World War Two veterans and it took me a good two years to get across what was required of a president," he said.

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The likes of Ray Langham, Lloyd Godfrey, Kevin Walsh, George Hartnett and Horrie Huggett, all now deceased, lent a guiding hand.

The 100^th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing in 2015 was a stand-out, but so too was involving secondary school students in the annual Anzac Day address.

"The biggest highlight of all was the community's large turnout to Anzac Day and other remembrance services to show their support for all those who served," Mr Wade said.

Likewise the Sub Branch has helped secure Department of Veterans' Affairs pensions and assisted service people to readjust to civilian life. But Mr Wade said it was becoming harder for RSL Sub Branches to attract younger people, given the rise of groups such as Soldier On and Open Arms. In recent years it had ben difficult to fill executive positions due to ageing membership.

The Goulburn Sub Branch has 125 members. Mr Wade said it had been a great honour representing them and thanked his executive, the council, police and local organisations for their support.

Along the way he'd had the honour of meeting people like the Governor General and State Governor.

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He was also awarded an OAM for service to the RSL Sub Branch and Legacy in 2010. In 2019 he was awarded life membership of the sub branch.

"Any accolades I've had were due to my wife, Linda, who has been a tower of strength and hardly missed a service in 20 years," Mr Wade said.

Mr Wade will remain on the executive but is yet to be assigned a role. He was looking forward to more time for travel.

Meantime, Mr Ritchie joined the Sub Branch in 2006 after moving to Goulburn from Merimbula.

He enlisted in the the Australian navy in 1963 and served 28 years as a clerk. He served in the Far East Fleet Reserve, a mix of Australian, New Zealand and British forces undertaking joint exercises.

In 1964/65, his ship participated in patrols as part of the Indonesian Confrontation.

"The Sub Branch is very important to me because after 28 years in the Navy it's a chance to give something back," Mr Ritchie said.

"If someone comes to me for help, I understand what they're saying. The satisfaction is in helping people."

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He's eager to enlist new members, including younger ones, and convey the message that the Sub Branch is not "a bunch of old blokes sitting around," but can genuinely help veterans.

The secretary of the past two years said Mr Wade was "a hard act to follow" but he intended to do the best he could and stamp his own style.

Mr Ritchie will serve a three-year term.

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