Lending a hand to honour service personnel

Lloyd served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) reserves for 28 years which included 20 years with No. 13 Squadron in Darwin and an eight-year stint as an electrician at RAAF Base Scherger – a military air base around 25 kilometres from Weipa. Soon after transitioning out of Defence, Lloyd was encouraged by some mates to join his local RSL Sub Branch. 

“It didn’t take long, and I felt a part of the team almost immediately – didn’t matter your rank or background I was treated like an equal and that meant a lot me,” Lloyd says.  

RAAF veteran and President of Weipa RSL Sub Branch Lloyd Williams

Still continuing to work full-time, Lloyd has been a member and volunteer with Weipa RSL Sub Branch since 2012. It wasn’t long after becoming a member that Lloyd transitioned to President in 2014 – using his skills and passions to take the lead with various volunteering activities. 

“Volunteering is so enjoyable for me,” Lloyd begins.  

“It has allowed me to create connections and camaraderie with fellow veterans and the community.”

Gathering the community for commemorations 

A particular volunteer focus for Lloyd has been fundraising and hosting commemorative services for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day at the local memorial for members and the wider community.  

“I take on the role of Master of Ceremonies (MC) for each commemoration, organise groups and individuals to be a part of the order of service and spread the word to local veterans, the 51st Battalion and members of the public to come along or to lay a wreath,” Lloyd says.  

“We have a lot of local veterans that come out to our commemorations which is great to see, and I am always encouraging veterans to become a member or volunteer with the Sub Branch.” 

The former RAAF veteran also organises and runs a fundraising stall in the town’s local grocery store ahead of ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, which raises several hundreds of dollars.  

Lloyd accepting a donation from Weipa Bowls Club operations Manager Karen Phillips (image credit: Cape York Weekly)

“I am also proud and grateful of the long-standing relationship the Sub Branch has with the Weipa Bowls Club,” Lloyd explains.  

“We have given them authority to host a two-up fundraising event on ANZAC Day each year and they match the proceeds that are donated by community members.  

“Last year, thanks to generosity of the community, a local sports group and the Weipa Bowls Club, we were given a donation of $5,000.  

“We are lucky to have such a giving community – it makes the volunteering I do that much more impactful.” 

Exploring the past: A project to share local war history  

Knowing how important ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services are for the community, Lloyd has been working on a Memorial Walk project to give the community another opportunity to honour local service personnel. 

“So far we have implemented a beautiful steel memorial statue that natural light shines through, but the bulk of the project will be historical signage for residents to view and learn more about local war history,” Lloyd explains.  

“For the signage, I am planning to work with a local historian from Cairns to gather the information. Much of our local war history focuses on Indigenous veterans from Napranum – a remote town just six kilometres south of Weipa, so I am looking forward to the project and sharing more about their contributions.” 

“My hope is that my volunteering and positive experiences, all while working full-time, can inspire other veterans and locals to join me in becoming a member or volunteer for Weipa RSL Sub Branch. 

“I would love to see the Sub Branch grow so we can continue to offer the services and support we do to veterans and their families, but also expand what we can offer too.”

LEARN MORE

National Volunteer Week shines a light on the many ways volunteering brings us all together, builds community and supports vital work across Australia. 

Find your local RSL Sub Branch to learn more about volunteering today.