Embracing the community of St Helens

Small town, big community 

Originally from Melbourne, Barbara and her husband moved to the small rural town of Yalboroo five years ago and immediately became involved with the nearby St Helens RSL Sub Branch. 

“When we first arrived, we attended the local Remembrance Day commemoration. This was back when the Sub Branch itself was quite small,” Barbara recalls. 

“My husband and I had been to services of all sizes over the years, so I knew that that if we got the community more involved, we could make this commemoration even larger. 

Barbara Farren-Price during her time in the Australian Army.

“I saw so much potential for the Sub Branch and was inspired to help. That’s when we decided to become President and Secretary of the Sub Branch.” 

Barbara knew community involvement was the key to growing the Sub Branch, but also recognised the importance of making sure Sub Branch members were heard.  

“We made time to visit locals who knew a lot of history about the area and the Sub Branch, and then started hosting regular meetings with our members to share this knowledge and talk about ways we could make our Sub Branch even better and more connected,” Barbara says. 

“Through our networking, we’ve been able to build connections with local businesses and schools that now support us with services and other activities. And we’ve been able to secure grants for renovations. 

“We’ve also introduced the annual gunfire breakfast and got schools involved in our commemorations by letting students write and recite poems at the service.” 

Barbara Farren-Price during her time in the Australian Army.

A growing Sub Branch 

The Sub Branch has now grown from nine service members to 15 service members and 11 social members – who are incredibly active in the community. Attendance at commemorations has also dramatically increased.  

“That first Remembrance Day service we had eight people attend. Now, we have the Memorial Hall filled with people!” Barbara gleefully exclaims. 

Barbara attributes this growth to the newfound connectedness between the Sub Branch and the community and localising the commemorations. 

“While sharing the history of the commemoration is important, I think it’s been beneficial for us to include local stories of the area in our services as well. It gives the ceremony that personal element and makes attendees more engaged in the service,” Barbara says. 

“It was lovely to have locals come up after a service and tell us, ‘My dad did this’ or ‘My grandfather was involved in this’, because we were then able to recognise their service in the next commemoration and make it more personalised.” 

Over the years, veterans in the area have been returning and getting involved with the Sub Branch. 

“It was eye-opening when I first joined the Sub Branch as Secretary and was made aware of all the programs RSL Queensland offers veterans and their families. I never knew there were so many support services available,” Barbara explains.  

“Now, a few years into the role, it’s been so rewarding to reconnect with veterans in the community and guide them in the direction of relevant support services available. 

“Sometimes it’s even as simple as enjoying a cuppa and listening to their story. It may seem like a small interaction to us, but it’s so important to the veteran.” 

Barbara also introduced social activities that have become popular with members. 

“We host regular paint ‘n’ sips, which have been successful. Members have told me the activity is therapeutic and that it’s nice to do something different with their friends in town,” Barbara says.  

“As a veteran, it’s important to feel camaraderie as much as you can. When you’re in the Defence Force you get it daily, but when you leave, you might miss it. So, building a sense of community here at the Sub Branch where members feel safe is so important. 

“Another big thing for us is getting local schools involved in activities. Whether it’s through painting, poetry or getting involved with Postcards of Honour, we want to make sure the legacy and history of the RSL and the Defence Force is passed on.” 

Connection is the key to success 

Barbara also credits the success of St Helens Sub Branch events to its active involvement with neighbouring businesses. 

“It’s great to be able to work closely with the Calen and District Memorial Hall and surrounding neighbours to bring the location to life for services, events or luncheons,” Barbara says. 

Barbara Farren-Price

“We all have the same objective of driving community engagement, so everyone is more than accommodating when we put together activities. 

“While we might not have the direct access to the facilities that some Sub Branches may have in larger cities, we don’t feel constrained in any way because our community is so strong here. 

“Everyone looks out for one another and to me that is what makes a Sub Branch so successful.”