Moruya RSL Sub Branch Launches Their “Friends of the RSL” Programme in the lead up to ANZAC DAY.
In decades gone by, veterans of the Moruya RSL Sub Branch answered the call from our nation to serve in the Australian Defence Forces on home soil, in foreign waters & abroad on active service. However through the passage of time as those bright young servicemen & women turned into today’s senior veterans age has wearied them & the years slightly condemned. So now our Diggers are putting out a call for any member of the community to join with the Moruya RSL Sub Branch in a new & innovative programme titled “Friends of the RSL”.
This last week a small group of citizens led by local celebrity, MICHAEL WEYMAN, have answered the call & are putting out the call to other local citizens for help even if only for one day per year.
So what is this new initiative?
The Moruya RSL Sub Branch is asking any members of our community, who may be able to spare a little bit of time, to come forward on days such as ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day & help out. Roles may simply involve manning the BBQ for the ANZAC Day luncheon & cooking a few sausages or assisting in placing chairs for the comfort of our elderly during the Dawn Service or ANZAC Day main service. As these roles suggest your obligation to help can be as simple as one or two days a year at commemorative events or other such occasions.
MICHAEL WEYMAN states “it means everything to help our veterans. Without our veterans & their sacrifice many years ago we wouldn’t have what we have today. My father was heavily involved in raising money for the Moruya War Memorial Swimming Pool & anything that was happening in Moruya, Dad was right behind it. That’s how we were brought up as kids to always jump in & help the community. So helping the RSL on ANZAC Day is just a small thing we can do for our veterans & I urge anybody to come forward & help even if it is just to cook on the BBQ. “
Of course, no experience is necessary & you definitely don’t need to have served in the Defence force. In the tradition of “The Civil Service” this is a great way to show our ageing veterans that you appreciate their service to this wonderful nation of ours. You may be the descendant of a digger or your grandparents & great-grandparents may have served? Just as our veterans once volunteered we urge any interested parties to come forward & support our veterans.
VICKI MENNIE from Bingie said, “My Uncle Bob CRANDALL served as a machine gunner in New Guinea & Borneo with the 9th Division. I’ll be forever grateful to Uncle Bob for sharing his service tragedies & triumphs over many hours with me. I am proud to join the “Friends of the Moruya RSL” in his memory.”
Moruya locals CHERYL SUTHERLAND & GAIL SUTHERLAND have been unofficially volunteering for over a decade by serving liquid refreshments in the Moruya Memorial Hall after the ANZAC Day march. Their father, Frank SUTHERLAND, manufactured camouflage nets for the war effort during the Second World War. He was a Life Member of many local organisations & because he was a barman he was once asked to man the bar for the diggers on ANZAC Day. He carried out this position for over 45 years & only missed one year. The sisters, Gail & Cheryl, took over from their Dad after 2008 as their father became ill with dementia. The sisters said “the RSL has been a big part of our lives through our father’s volunteer work & we are very happy to carry on his legacy in recognition of Dad & our Uncles who served during the war.”
This valuable assistance is not lost upon the veterans of the Moruya RSL Sub Branch. So by creating the programme “Friends of the RSL” our veterans can formally recognise commitment such as that demonstrated by these “Friends”..
If you would like to join “Friends of the RSL” or can spare some time regardless of how much or how little contact the Moruya RSL Sub Branch by email at moruyarsl@southernphone.com.au .
There is no fee to join the NSWRSL for veterans or serving personnel. Those who have not served are more than welcome to join as an affiliate members, also fee free, if they would like to. We welcome all enquiries.
Left to Right: Michael Weyman, Cheryl Sutherland, David Brown, Mick Power, Vice President
Moruya RSL Sub Branch, Vicki Mennie, Gail Sutherland.
