A heartwarming Christmas gift for veterans

RSL Central Queensland District have joined forces with The Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Pioneer Division to create and distribute handmade Christmas hampers to veterans and families in the RSL Central Queensland District.

RSL Central Queensland District Vice President Sharon Price, who has been an RSL Sub Branch member for 29 years and a member of QCWA Sarina Branch for 10 years, created the link between the two organisations in 2023 to kickstart the thoughtful project. 

RSL Central Queensland District Vice President Sharon Price with QCWA member Barbara Plumb

“I heard about RSL Queensland’s hamper initiative, and I thought it would be a great idea to expand on the activity in the welfare space for veterans in Central Queensland with the QCWA,” Sharon says. 

“Welfare is something I have been involved in all my life. I served three and a half years with the Royal Australian Airforce as a psychology assistant. When our mustering was disbanded in the 90’s, I continued 12 years in the public service within the Directorate of Psychology.  Once we settled back to my hometown of Sarina, I became involved in welfare and pension work with the RSL.

“My husband also served 18 years in the Air Force and my dad served in Vietnam and has been an RSL member for many years, so I am very much a part of a Defence family and have experienced many different aspects. I am always thinking of ways I can assist veterans.”

Wrapping up joy for veterans  

Ahead of the holiday season, Sharon puts a call out to the 20 Central District RSL Sub Branches, asking them to nominate up to six veterans or widows in their location to receive a Christmas hamper.

Deputy President of the RSL Pioneer-Fitzroy-Highlands District John Edwards presents a hamper to Ron Cameron, Secretary of the Seaforth RSL Sub Branch

“From there, myself and a variety of QCWA volunteers in the Central Queensland area collect or make the items and assemble the hampers,” Sharon explains.

“It is a bit of a logistics operation, so I very much appreciate the assistance of the QCWA Branches outside of the Pioneer Division who help assemble and deliver hampers as well.”

“This year we packed and wrapped 80 hampers for veterans which are filled with food, homemade sweet treats, handmade holiday ornaments and Christmas crackers.”

QCWA members Julie Blinkhorn and Thelma Bromley packing Christmas hampers

Sharon says QCWA fundraises for the initiative throughout the year, and QCWA Sarina Branch fundraises specifically through their community social day once a month where they play a bingo-like game called Hoy.

“I am grateful that two groups in the community can come together around Christmas to give back to those in need, isolated or who are maybe going through a difficult time,” Sharon says.

A gift tag from both organisations and a grocery voucher is attached to each hamper and the designated hampers are distributed to Sub Branch representatives at the RSL Central Queensland District meeting in November or collected from the District office.  From there, each Sub Branch gifts veterans their Christmas packages in December. 

“It’s all about making sure our ex-service personnel and widows know they are thought of and cared about,” Sharon says.