Around the Auxiliaries

from RSL NSW Auxiliary Newsletter - May 2023

ANZAC Day 2023

AROUND THE AUXILIARIES

FORESTVILLE AUXILIARY

On Friday 30 March, the RSL Auxiliary of Forestville sub-Branch & Auxiliary met the 40 senior and junior Girls Guides from Belrose, accompanied by their Leaders. They had a half hour tour by three sub-Branch members of the Cenotaph and Memorial Garden, the 250 year old cannon , the three service flags, Memorial Book and the Steps of Remembrance. The tour entered the Club at 6pm for the Ode, followed by a walk long the Anzac Memorial Pathway to Poppy Park for their BBQ.”

**Photo : The Girl Guides. And Auxiliary members: (L to R - Jackie Pretti and Barbara Lunnon)**

On 8th of March, International Women’s Day, three members of the Forestville RSL sub-Branch Auxiliary attended the Anzac Memorial to commemorate the military service of Australian Women’s Wartime Service. A short film depicted nurses from 1915 concluded with a live performance of “Devoted Service”, followed by a special Star Ceremony featuring names of women, in the Hall of Memory. The entire morning was very beautifully presented and appreciated by all the women attending as a very fitting way within the RSL to recognise women in War on International Women’s Day.

There was an added bonus at the conclusion of the morning as an original handmade RSL “Women’s Auxiliary” banner, recently found by a demolition worker in Balmain, was officially presented to the Anzac Memorial for the museum.

The Forestville Auxiliary members, Barbara Lunnon, Shirley Kellock and Jackie Pretti are shown with the banner held by RSL State President, Ray James OAM and RSL State Auxiliary Coordintor, Pauline James OAM

Purple Poppy Day, 24 February, hosted by the Forestville RSL sub-Branch

This day commemorated the deeds and sacrifice of our war animals serving alongside our troops. There was a good turn out of half dozen dogs, many members from the sub-Branch, Auxiliary, and the Northern Beaches Council Mayor, Michael Regan.

After a perambulation around the Forestville Memorial Pathway, morning tea was enjoyed outdoors in the Club Bistro“Pickets”.

At the February Auxiliary meeting there was a special presentation of Purple Poppies for sub-Branch President, Bob Lunnon, Committee Welfare member, Stuart Hablethwaite and Max, his service dog. Eva is shown pinning a purple poppy on Stuart after Max had been given an extra-large crocheted purple poppy which he proudly wore.

Di McFadden with sub Branch President, Bob Lunnon and Mayor Michael Regan. The Purple Poppy quilt had been made especially made and donated by Di McFadden for the Commemoration service on 24 February.

Bundeena Auxiliary

**Coleen McIllhatton was busy making these beautiful 5 petal Poppies for ANZAC Day**

PORT MACQUARIE AXILIARY

Jane Gilson, sub Branch receptionist, had her hair shaved to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation. She did this in between the Sub branch general meeting and the AGM, held recently.

Very brave of her and she raised several hundred dollars above her goal.

**From left to right Greg Dring, Andrew Bellott and sub Branch Treasurer Robert Bruce**

Port Macquarie’s monthly BBQ Breakfast are still very popular with their members.

They have 35 to 40 members attend each month.

The Auxiliary have made some aprons for the cooks to wear.

**Lee Tet Fong and Lyn Elliott selling ANZAC Day badges at Bunnings a very enjoyable day meeting lots of people and raising funds for Veterans and their families.**

MUDGEE AUXILIARY

A great effort fundraising leading up to ANZAC Day even enlisting a Legacy Widow to assist

**Elsie Atkins & Legacy Widow Judith Richardson**

**Bettina Franklin & Elsie Atkins laying a wreath at the ANZAC Day service.**

CAMPBELLTOWN AUXILIARY

**Catching commuters at Campbelltown Station**

GLOUCESTER AUXILIARY

DUBBO AUXILIARY

Congratulations to Life Member Betty Peters on her 100th Birthday

OLD BAR AUXILIARY

**Love how the Auxiliary put on a “scrunching party”, to fold all the raffle tickets. Also booklets folded and stapled. Well done what a great team job**

Auxiliary members sold tokens merchandise & raffle tickets outside Old Bar Coles and a local market and had EFTPOS available

Leeton Auxiliary

TOUKLEY AUXILIARY

MALABAR AUXILIARY

**Coordinator Thelma Gardiner & local Federal Minister Matt Thistlewaite**

URALLA AUXILIARY

Held an ANZAC Day Street Stall. tokens, poppies, pens, baked goods , plants, books and hand made gift items for sale. A fantastic raffle was also held with a great load of firewood for the upcoming winter, and four other great prizes of some ANZAC Collectables you couldn’t find anywhere else.

CASTLE HILL AUXILIARY

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