To commemorate 100 years since the Armistice, we would like to introduce you to 100 members of Caulfield RSL over the next 100 days
Sir Francis Palmer Selleck MBE MC
Francis Palmer Selleck was a 19 year old Accountant from Numurkah when he enlisted in March 1915, having had 2 years in the CMF, and left Australia bound for Egypt 2 months later. He was a good organiser and was appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant in the 24 Battalion. He was made the Regimental QMS and landed on Gallipoli in August 2015.
After Gallipoli the Regiment moved to Alexandria then France. By the end of the war he had been promoted to Captain and was the Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mentioned in Dispatches twice and awarded a Military Cross. He was wounded in Action but remained on Duty.
On his return to Australia in December 1919, he became a founding member of Caulfield RSL along with many others from his Battalion. In 1923 he helped to form the Legacy Club of Melbourne, of which he was inaugural treasurer. He has been credited with suggesting the name, 'Legacy'.
In 1949 he was elected to the Melbourne City Council. He improved its management practices and chaired a committee which recommended ways to achieve economies and raise additional revenue. On 30 August 1954 he was elected Lord Mayor. He held office for three, consecutive, one-year terms. The third term was unexpected: Councillors had intended that Sir Frank Beaurepaire would be Lord Mayor during the Olympic Games, but he died in May 1956. He had worked with Beaurepaire and others to secure the games for Melbourne. He was knighted that year and appointed K.B.E. in 1957.
In 1954-56 he was treasurer of the Victorian branch of the (RSL).
He was a trustee of the Club and a Life Member who gave it the status of one of the most important branches in the State.
Sir Frank died on 2 October 1976
Quick fact: In 1933 he was instrumental in having a seedling from Lone Pine, Gallipoli Peninsula, planted at Wattle Park in Melbourne. When he died, his ashes were scattered under the tree which grew from this seedling.
Lest we forget