HISTORY was made last week with Ellen Linke being elected the first woman president of the Portland RSL Sub Branch at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting.

Mrs Linke has been a part of the Portland RSL since 2009 and said she was “proud” of the fact she is the first female Portland RSL president.

“I was sort very tentative,” she said.

“But the members all voiced their approval, and I hope I can live up to the trust that they're putting in me.”

Like most RSL members, Mrs Linke has a military background having served in the army.

“I did six years, mainly along the east coast of Australia, in Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville, and ending up in Sydney,” she said.

“When I finished, I was a corporal.”

Her late husband, who she met while she was in the military, was a Vietnam War veteran.

Mrs Linke said life in the military for a female was very different to the Australian army of today.

“Of course, the women weren't allowed to touch a rifle,” she said.

“But I enjoyed my six years.”

Prior to her elevation, Mrs Linke was the Portland RSL Sub Branch secretary and with her promotion, which is a two-year term, will be doing double duty until they find a replacement secretary.

For Mrs Linke, the RSL plays a vital role for returned service members.

“We're here to help our veteran community. Veterans and their wives, partners, children, families, in any way that we can,” she said.

“We like to promote social interaction and help with mental health.

“Getting the guys together, especially, so they can talk, socialise.

“If they need financial assistance, we're there too.”

“We can also assist by referring them on to other welfare officers in Warrnambool or in Melbourne or in Geelong if they need more professional help.”

Mrs Linke has ruled out any big changes while she is president.

“I just want us to keep on, keeping on with our unbelievable Anzac Day display and working with our volunteers and with our committee members and organising good commemorations for Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, especially, and any other special events that we have,” she said.

Mrs Linke steps into the shoes of out-going RSL president Geoff White who she praised for his ability to guide the organisation.

“Geoff has been in the community spotlight for quite some years, and he is always well capable of handling most situations and negotiations, dealing with different people at different levels,” she said.

“I'm still going to rely on Geoff for a lot of advice.”

Such praise was mutual with Mr White expressing confidence in his successor.

“I feel very proud and quite privileged to be part of history in handing over the presidency to Ellen,” he said.

“Ellen is more than well equipped to fill the role of president. She is a service member as well as her husband and is therefore fully qualified to carry out the job.