RSL State Coordinator of RSL Auxiliaries Pauline James OAM awarded Life Membership

I have to say one of the highlights for me occurred in April this year, I had the honour of attending an event (sadly online) at RSL NSW when State Secretary Jeff O’Brien awarded Pauline Life Membership. Our newer members will have no idea of the volume of work Pauline has accomplished.

I am sure I will be in trouble with Pauline for the next bit but I don’t care, I write this newsletter so I can indulge myself. Pauline and I have worked together for over 10 years, firstly on CCWA then following the restructure as Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator of RSL NSW Auxiliaries, which has given me lots of work, lots of fun and laughs, and sometimes tears and lots and lots of grey hair, but I have to say I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Pauline is a true inspiration, her commitment, work ethic and dedication is amazing.

Pauline is a member of Ingleburn RSL sub-Branch Auxiliary, where she began a recruiting campaign and greatly increased the membership. To this day Pauline continues to be an active Auxiliary member.

POSITIONS HELD

• 2011 elected as Western & Southern Metropolitan Councillor on the RSL NSW Central Council of Women’s Auxiliaries (CCWA)

• 2011 appointed State Recruiting Officer for CCWA

• 2014 stood in for the Far Western Councillor CCWA for 6 months

• 2014 Pauline was elected Deputy State President of the CCWA

• From time to time when required Pauline was acting State Secretary of CCWA

• 2016 Pauline became the State President of the RSL NSW CCWA

• With the reconstruction of RSL NSW Auxiliaries in 2019 Pauline was appointed State Coordinator of RSL Auxiliaries

During her time in these various positions Pauline has dedicated a large amount of her time to building up membership within the RSL Auxiliaries across NSW. She has also raised awareness of veterans issues to the broader community.

Through Pauline’s idea’s and enthusiasm we have had an increase in the fundraising efforts of RSL NSW and these much needed funds have gone to improving the well-being and support provided to our veterans.

Back in 2014, Pauline came up with the idea of a quilt project to honour the Centenary of the start of WWI and to raise funds for then DefenceCare. This was the first time that Auxiliaries across the state were involved in the same project. The project, was to have members contribute to make one quilt which was to be raffled, the response was outstanding, we received enough quilt blocks to make 8 quilts and 2 cushions, which enabled us to raise in excess of $37,000 for RSL DefenceCare, have one quilt to present to the Australian War Memorial (the We Will Remember Them Quilt ) and two to the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park (the Gallipoli Quilt, which travelled on the Gallipoli 100th Anniversary cruise in 2015 and the Going Down With The Sun Quilt, which travelled to Fromelles & Poziers in France) .

Following the success of the Lest We Forget Quilt, a Poppy Quilt made by Christine Frame (also of Ingleburn Auxiliary) and raffled which raised a further $28,000, from there quilts became synonymous with RSL NSW Auxiliaries.

Again, at Pauline’s instigation, we have had the Quilts for Homeless Veterans Project, over 100 quilts were made for the ‘Home for Heroes’ project run by RSL LifeCare. These quilts were to provide comfort to Veterans of modern wars who find themselves without a home.

The Invictus Games in Sydney 2018 gave Pauline another opportunity to bring the Auxiliaries together again, by a project to make a quilt for each country participating in the games , a laundry bag for each competitor, thousands of Yellow Poppies for the families and supporters.

There were also laundry bags and quilts made for and presented to Prince Harry, his wife and future baby to thank him for his efforts and support of these veterans.

Obviously the games were held in Sydney but it was an Australian event and Pauline included Auxiliary members from Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, War Widows NSW and PVA (Partners of Veterans).

The next and still current project is the Thank You for Your Service Quilt Project, these quilts are awarded to nominated RSL NSW Service Members for the work and dedication to the League.

In total these quilt projects, represents tens of thousands of hours of volunteer work, in monetary terms a cost we could never afford.

Through COVID-19, in excess of $15,000 was raised with the Poppy Mask Project, another idea instigated by Pauline, making face masks out of poppy scarves which were sold around the state with the proceeds going to RSL LifeCare Veteran Services.

COVID-19 brought challenges, through lockdowns Pauline kept in telephone contact with the Auxiliaries and now as we get back to normal Pauline has resumed visiting as many as she can.

On top of this, she has travelled thousands of miles around the state supporting Ray on his visits to RSL sub Branches as State President. They are a formidable team.

A long time ambition for Pauline was to hold a major fundraising event, this has now come to fruition, when later this year RSL LifeCare Veterans Services will hold the Inaugural Poppy Ball. The event is to be held on the HMAS Adelaide after Pauline’s discussions with Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley.

Pauline is passionate about her work for veterans.

I am super proud of Pauline, especially now with the well deserved Life Membership. I am sure that members at Ingleburn RSL Auxiliary will be equally as proud that one of their own has achieved so much. Love & congratulations Pauline from all of us.

One final comment on the various programs that Pauline has instigated, I know she would want me to thank all the amazing people who brought her ideas to fruition, in particular Christine Frame Kaye Brown, Anne-Marie Jacobs, Jan Hawken & Kerry Christopher (all from Ingleburn Auxiliary) & Jenny Leach (Toukley Auxiliary).