Former Portarlington RSL president, Darren McDonald no show for court appearance

Angry war veterans have gathered outside court in Geelong where a former Portarlington RSL president was due to appear over claims he faked his war medals.

Former Portarlington and St Leonards RSL Sub-Branch president Darren McDonald has been charged with improper use of defence service decoration. Photo: Supplied.

RSL members from across the state have gathered outside court in Geelong to express anger and frustration after allegations that a former Portarlington RSL president faked his medals.

Darren McDonald, 58, is charged with improper use of defence service decoration and did not show up to court for the first mention of his matter on Tuesday.

Mr McDonald, of Portarlington, is alleged to have worn medals indicating he was a veteran who served in Cambodia.

Outside court, a number of veterans from around the state, including RSL members from Bendigo and Inverleigh, expressed their frustrations.

President of the Aussie Veterans Association, Dave Menz, said he started to investigate Mr McDonald after hearing allegations he had been wearing medals that he was not entitled to.

“If I find people wearing gongs who shouldn’t be wearing gongs … I will push it through to the police and through to the courts,” Mr Menz said.

President of the Geelong Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, Rodney Tilley, said he had known Mr McDonald for about 10 years and described his reaction to the allegations as “disbelief”.

Veterans at court in Geelong with their bikes on Tuesday. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Tilley returned to Australia in 1969 after serving in Vietnam and said there was outcry from RSL members right across Australia following the charges.

Mr Tilley said he had heard of cases where people had worn medals or claimed to serve overseas when they hadn’t.

“It’s very disappointing for a lot of Vietnam veterans and WWII veterans, which has happened to them as well,” he said.

Mr Tilley also said it was concerning that someone in a high position would be charged with improper use of defence service decoration.

Cambodian veteran Michael Quinn described the allegations as “sickening”.

“Stealing someone else’s valour … it’s just wrong,” he said.

Inverleigh RSL President, Deema Johnston, said he had previously questioned Mr McDonald about his service.

Mr Johnston said the alleged offending beggared belief.

It’s believed Mr McDonald did serve in the Australian Defence Force in some capacity.

He will be back before the court on March 6.

Originally published as Former Portarlington RSL president, Darren McDonald no show for court appearance