5 minute read
Around the RSL Auxiliaries
AROUND THE AUXILIARIES
YOUNG AUXILIARY
At our May meeting I presented the quilts to our senior veterans. Rob Nash & Gwen O'Sullivan, they were both delighted
Gwen O’Sullivan
Gwen began her Nursing career 17 years following in footsteps of her Mum at Brisbane General Hospital (now Royal Brisbane Hospital) and Women’s Hospital qualified as Double Certificate Sister. Gwen joined the RAAF Nursing Service serving at Laverton and Pt Cook Victoria, where she did.Training in Air-Sea Rescue in Port Philip Bay and Air Ambulance transfers, decompression chamber.Posted to Amberley Air Force Base Qld continued at the Base Hospital. Doing Commonwealth inoculations to overseas military members unvaccinated, entering Australia. Back in Qld worked at Mt Isa Base Hospital Boonah Hospital and Esk Hospital near Ipswich as D.C. Sister & Matron in 1970 – 1993, joined the RSL 1986 was second female President QLD and 3rd in Australia.
Gwen has been a member of Young RSL for 25 years, 37 years overall servicing as Vice President& President roles when required Welfare officer, assistance secretary, is a willing helper, to step in at short notice to take up Secretary. Keeping the Legacy Branch flying in Young with several of our Veterans and Wives’ Always at the forefront in visiting our War Widows and veterans in care when time and rules permit’
Military Service – Robert William Nash
Rob was born in Geelong in 1937 and educated at Geelong High School and Geelong College. In the College Cadets, he was in a mortar crew. During his tertiary education at the Victorian College of Pharmacy he did National Service and continued in the CMF as a gun sergeant in 19 and 38 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiments, then going on to be an MP. He commenced CMF full time duty at 3 Camp Hospital in 1959 and joined the ARA shortly thereafter as a pharmacist in the Medical Corps.
During his 22-year career, he held a variety of medical supply appointments including command of three medical stores depots, also medical supply staff appointments at DGMS and Logistic Command. Rob also attended the Australian Staff College at Queenscliff in Victoria and the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham in the UK. His non-corps appointments included postings in the Army’s Scientific Advisors Office and the Office of Surgeon General Defence Force. He retired from the ARA in 1982 then joining the Australian Public Service in medically aligned appointments such as the Aids Task Force and Department of Veterans Affairs with Allied Health professionals.
After retiring from the Public Service Rob returned to pharmacy doing locum work around NSW, Honiara in the Solomon Islands, and Dili in East Timor.
Colleen Beckhaus Coordinator Young
BARADINE AUXILIARY
The ladies held a very successful Boot sale to raise funds for our RSL Branch who needed a hand with fundraising
Our ANZAC Day was very successful with one of the best turnouts seen for a long time - our guest speaker for our service was Angela Catterns, well known ABC Presenter - her link to Baradine is through her father, the late Major Basil Catterns, who was the Commander of the 2/1st Battalion who fought on the Kokoda Track and 5 of the men in Baradine served directly under his command at the conflict at Bona Goa and 2 were killed in action and 3 survived. She never knew of the connection until she was invited but she thoroughly enjoyed her day and promised she would come back for another visit.
We were fortunate that the students and teachers of the St Johns Catholic School in Baradine took on a community service project and refurbished every wreath the RSL has and gave them new life- they certainly looked good when being laid at the cenotaph on ANZAC Day and we are very grateful. Pictured are two of the staff who helped the students.
INGLEBURN AUXILIARY
Recently, the Ingleburn Auxiliary celebrated it’s 90th Birthday with a function at their club. A beautiful quilt was raffled, which was made and donated by their member Margaret Thurgh and quilted by another of their members Kaye Brown. Some very talented members at Ingleburn.
PENRITH AUXILIARY
City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch Auxiliary Coordinator Clara Elliott was presented with her 50 year Membership Award by subBranch President Jeff Townsend.
Clara served on the former Central Council of Women’s Auxiliaries for many year, where she held the position of State President for a couple of years prior to her retirement.
Congratulations Clara!
CASTLE HILL AUXILIARY
Recently Pauline was invited to the meeting at Castle Hill Auxiliary and painting day, she had the pleasure of welcoming two new members The Auxiliary members are very talented people
KEMPSEY AUXILIARY
Pauline & Ray had a chance to visit Kempsey RSL sub-Branch & Auxiliary
FAIRFIELD AUXILIARY
Looks like lots of fun was had at Fairfield Auxiliaries Mad Hatter Luncheon
