Community & Business
31 October, 2025
Posthumous award
The Returned Services League (R.S.L.) has conferred a Life Membership Award posthumously upon a late member of the Pittsworth Sub-Branch.
A little over 12 months ago the Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch moved a motion to adopt Mervyn Kahler for Life Membership.
Merv grew up on the family property just west of Pittsworth at Murlaggan.
He attended primary and secondary schools in Pittsworth, followed by a career as a truck driver, carting livestock and general freight.
In April 1969 Merv was called up for National Service.
A year later, he married his wife-to-be Carolyn two weeks prior to going to Vietnam where he served as a medic.
He discharged as a Corporal and returned home to the family farm.
Merv joined the Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch in 1971 and was a member for 54 years.
During his time with the branch Merv served as treasurer for 12 continuous years.
He was instrumental in obtaining grants at the Pioneer Village for the RSL Display Shed, the Little Digger and a talking box for visitors to listen to the history of our passed servicemen and women.
Merv was also District representative and Congress Delegate for 12 years, and Welfare officer for 6 years when he attended to those who needed help.
For many years both Merv and Carolyn, who was the Sub-Branch secretary for 29 years, would sell merchandise for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.
Merv also arranged the ANZAC Day Stirling Golf Legacy Day.
He helped a farmer who was desperate for feed for his sheep, and RSL Queensland helped with a $2,500 donation of sheep pellets.
Merv was very community minded, and a long-time supporter and player with the Pittsworth Football Club, being a Life Member of the Pittsworth Leagues Club and Zone 4 Rugby League.
For 12 years he was with the Pittsworth Rotary Club and was instrumental in organising the Rotary Tag Along outback tours that raised over $140,000.
For outstanding service, he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship.
Merv was a founding and Life Member of the Pittsworth and District Men’s Shed.
He was instrumental in the procurement of the 1944 World War I Jeep from Trevor and Pearl Saal, and was the RSL representative of the Pioneer Village for over 21 years.
He served as Pittsworth Shire Councilor between 1998 and 2009, and as Deputy Mayor prior to amalgamation between 2005 and 2008.
In 1997, Merv suffered with Q Fever.
Four years on, he received the TPI Pension and battled various sicknesses for many years including Leukemia, for which he had many trips to Toowoomba for treatment.
But he was never one to complain about his problems.
The late Mervyn Kenneth Kahler was the most outstanding RSL member and citizen of our local community and most deserving to receive Life Membership with the Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch.
- Allan Petersen OAM
President of Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch
