RSLQ 2021 Annual Report

Standing Shoulder to Shoulder Continued on next page / 73 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2021 Welfare centre provides place of purpose Murgon RSL Sub Branch, Wide Bay Burnett District Veterans in Murgon and South Burnett are benefiting from stronger community bonds that improve their wellbeing and quality of life at the newly opened Veteran Welfare Drop-In Centre. The project, spearheaded by Murgon RSL Sub Branch, is the first of its kind in the Murgon and Goomeri District, and was made possible after receiving a $450,000 grant from the Federal Government through the Building Better Community Development Grants Program in 2020. The building itself was designed around members, with the drop-in centre providing a sense of purpose and a place to go for a coffee or chat. The centre attracted new members to the Sub Branch within weeks of opening. Fun day out for veteran health Clayfield-Toombul RSL Sub Branch, Brisbane North District Veterans’ Health Week and its ‘Get Moving’ theme provided the perfect opportunity for Clayfield- Toombul RSL Sub Branch to host its inaugural Community Open Day. Activities and workshops were provided to encourage veterans, their families and the local community to engage, get active, and connect with the local Sub Branch to learn more about its services. Held at Ascot Park on 31 October, the event featured cricket and touch football games, a giant waterslide and a rock-climbing wall for children, as well as yoga in the park, guitar lessons, and an introduction to slow BBQ cooking and smoking. The event is set to become an annual fixture on the Sub Branch’s community calendar. Wrapping WWII veterans and partners in care Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch, Sunshine Coast District In early December, Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch and Quilts of Valour Australia teamed up to hand over a special Christmas gift to veterans and Defence widows in recognition of their sacrifices for Australia. Under the guise of scones, tea, and coffee for the Mouldy Oldies – a group of the Sub Branch’s WWII veterans and widows – about a dozen members were presented with beautiful handmade quilts by Quilts of Valour Australia. The idea behind the quilts is to literally wrap veterans – and the partners left behind – in love, warmth, care, and healing in honour of their sacrifice for Australia. Forgotten soldiers adopted and honoured Ipswich RSL Sub Branch, Moreton District Soldiers buried in unmarked graves at the historic Ipswich Cemetery were finally given the recognition they deserve by the Ipswich RSL Sub Branch’s Adopt a Soldier campaign. Lead by Life Member Matt Rennie, the campaign saw 150 veterans – many who fought in WWI – researched and identified to ensure they could be properly honoured for their service. Matt and his team were able to have all soldiers ‘adopted’ just before ANZAC Day. Following the success of this campaign, attention is shifting to other unmarked graves. The Adopt a Soldier campaign has been running since 2005, and has attracted support from around the state. Standing Shoulder to Shoulder Annual Highlights Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch Wandoan RSL Sub Branch Murgon RSL Sub Branch