Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.
The group currently has 35 members and nine of those are on the committee. A group of five members are required to form a quorum for a meeting, and sometimes it’s a stretch.
President Des Wraight, says the recent addition of four members has meant that the outlook for the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL looks much brighter, but they will always welcome more.
Mr Wright remembers a time when he arrived home from the war in Vietnam.
‘The local community and RSL gave me a welcome home function in the local hall. This was at a time that the anti-war protests were in full swing.
‘I feel that we can provide a similar service to both our own and any other currently serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) should it be required.’
Mr Wraight said members come from all different branches of the service including Navy, Army and Air Force.
‘Our RSL sub-branch provides a good meeting place where members can discuss their past service and raise any personal issues that they are currently confronted with.’
You don’t need to be a member of the services
You don’t need to be a member of the services to join the RSL, and Mr Wraight said that no one in the local community wants the local RSL to fold.
‘The local community currently enjoy attending the annual ANZAC Day Dawn Service and the RSL Hall is regularly booked for dancing classes, exercise classes, painting classes and other organisations’ meetings’.
RSL meeting dates and time at the RSL Hall this year are April 17, July 17, November 11 and December 18.
The ANZAC Day Dawn Service on April 25 assembles outside the RSL at 04:50 hours. To find out more, email: [email protected].
