A PUBLIC memorial service will be held at Woodward Park, Thirroul for Austinmer resident Major General (retired) Brian ‘Hori’ Howard AO MC ESM who died last month at the age of 86.

Mr Howard was a respected veteran of the Australian Defence Force and President of the Austinmer-Thirroul RSL sub-Branch.

Major General Howard served in the Australian Army from 1959 until 1990 including operational service in South Vietnam and as Director General of Operations and Plans for the Australian Army. He proudly wore the RSL NSW badge and supported his mates for 32 years, after discharging from the Army.

Mr Howard was NSW RSL Vice President (2012-2017) and Austinmer-Thirroul RSL sub-Branch President (2017-2024).

NSW RSL president, Ray James said Mr Howard will be sadly missed by his fellow members.

“His dedication and service to his country, and his selflessness in volunteering his time to support local veterans and their families will always be remembered by RSL NSW,” Mr James said.

Mr Howard was also a former NSW SES Director General from 1989 to 2001. During this time oversaw significant improvements, steering the agency towards a more professional approach in relation to its combat roles. This included modernising equipment, communications systems and vehicles, as well as improving the training standards of our members, and developing plans that guided the agency’s response to flood and storm threats.

During his time as Director General, Mr Howard led a number of emergency operations in response to major flooding and severe storms in NSW and was and was awarded the Emergency Services Medal for his efforts.

By the time he retired from the NSW SES, Hori had significantly improved the SES profile in the community, setting a solid foundation for the developments that were to follow for the future SES.
He also held numerous Board roles, such as Chair of the NSW State Emergency Management Committee, Chair of the Australian Council of State Emergency Services and the Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum.

NSW SES Acting Commissioner Damien Johnston offered his condolences on behalf of the SES to Mr Howard’s family.

“Hori was one of our longest serving director generals, who left a lasting legacy on the NSW SES, and he will be sorely missed,” he said.

Austinmer Thirroul RSL Sub-Branch will host a memorial service honouring the life of Mr Howard on Saturday 13 July at 11am at Woodward Memorial Park Thirroul.

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