They say as you get older, each year goes quicker — and it is so true. The madness of Christmas is here, as anyone who has been near a shopping centre knows. Each year I promise myself I’ll get it all done early, and then, we get to the last week I’m pulling my hair out.
2023 may have gone quickly, but it’s been a relatively good year. And certainly eventful! It was great to see Auxiliaries getting back into events and socialising with other Auxiliaries. For privacy reasons, we are unable to give out personal contact information, however if you do want to connect with another Auxiliary, invitations can be sent via the sub-Branch of each Auxiliary. This year, Auxiliaries were added to the RSL NSW sub-Branch Portal. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to collect all the contact details for members, but where we have, your details are now on the portal and your sub-Branch Secretaries can maintain the records. So, please check and ensure that they have your correct contact details. We have had a request to reveal the amounts raised by each Auxiliary that entered the Lady Woodward Cup this year. As I announced in the October newsletter, the 11 Auxiliaries that entered raised a combined total in excess of $150,000.
We have decided not to publish the individual amounts as there is much more to the award than funds raised (the 2023 winner was not the highest fundraiser), and we want the Auxiliaries to focus on all the elements, not just that one component. If you missed that edition of the newsletter, click the link below. All the details regarding how the Lady Woodward Cup is awarded can be found there and we really encourage all of you to enter in 2024. RSL NSW Auxiliary Newsletter - October 2023 by RSL NSW - Issuu
On behalf of RSL NSW, Pauline, Bronte and myself thank you for all your continuous hard work and support. We wish you and your families a safe and wonderous Christmas — and good health and lots of happiness in the coming year.
It has been another great year for our Thank You For Your Service Quilt program, which would not be possible without the wonderful talented people who make the quilts. Thank you all so very much, with special mention to Kaye Brown, Ann-Marie Jacobs and Jan Hawken. (Truly sorry if I have missed anyone!) Several times throughout the year, we have needed help at ANZAC House preparing for events. Thank you to the Auxiliary members who have given their time to assist. And a huge thank you to all the wonderful staff at RSL NSW, especially State Secretary, Jeff O’Brien, and Executive Support Officer, Dianne Naylor, for their help and support.
This will be the last newsletter for the year. Thank you to everyone who contributed and commented — it’s all very much appreciated and I hope you will continue in 2024. There won’t be a newsletter in January. Our first edition for the new year will be in February.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP Our congratulations to Mary Bateman from Huskisson Auxiliary on being awarded Life Membership.
AROUND THE AUXILIARIES MANILLA AUXILIARY Manilla Auxiliary Coordinator, Sue Grant, and member, Janet Boyce, hosted a high tea provided by Manilla RSL subBranch, held on October 19th at the Ex-Services Club for the legatee ladies, Grace Franks, Enid Rampling, Denise Willson, Jo Cruickshank, Joyce Forward and Lynne Martin from Legacy. The ladies lunched on macaroons, scones, butterscotch cake, chocolate strawberries, finger sandwiches, potted tea and a drop of pink bubbles. There was lots of laughter and many stories told — it was a most enjoyable memorable day. The ladies all took home a gift bag filled with goodies and a long-stem rose. Unfortunately, due to health issues and previous commitments, Noren Tanner, June Upton, Marie Callister, Doris Buden, and Vivienne Simmons Maida (who will be celebrating her hundredth Birthday on November 10th!) couldn’t attend, but were all delivered gift bags by Sue and Janette later that day, and were delighted to receive the gift. - Sue Grant
MALABAR AUXILIARY Thelma Gardner, Coordinator at Malabar, together with volunteers from other sub-Branches, spent time at Randwick Barracks packing gift hampers to be sent overseas to Australian Defence personnel, so that even when they’re thousands of kilometres away, they still have a taste of home. The volunteers were joined by Assistant Minister for Defence and Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP.
PORT MACQUARIE AUXILIARY Here are four photos of our Remembrance Day service held in Port Macquarie...
Joan Rose, our Auxiliary Coordinator, and Leslie Williams, State Member for Port Macquarie.
Jason Gill, our sub-Branch President.
Army Cadet Under Officer Jakeb Kenny-Fyfe, who gave the commemorative address.
All the wreaths laid at our cenotaph. The service was well attended as always by the wonderful people of Port Macquarie - Lyn Elliott
GLOUCESTER AUXILIARY Enjoy these photos from our Remembrance Day here in Gloucester! We had beautiful weather, a good gathering of people and a lovely buffet lunch. We are lucky to have a piper and a bugler that plays at our services.
We also held a farewell lunch for Denise, who will be leaving us and moving closer to their family — both Denise and Lee will be very much missed. Wishing them all the very best.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and joyful new year. - Sue, co-ordinator Gloucester
CASTLE HILL AUXILIARY Recently the Castle Hill and District RSL sub-Branch, guests from surrounding sub-Branches, and special guests attended our Remembering Vietnam dinner and show. It was a fantastic event showcasing talent from the Auxiliary ladies, their Noro guitar classes and from amongst their own sub-Branch members along with the Lancers, our ANZAC Ambassadors and the Youth Wind Orchestra.
At the Annual Christmas Party, which was a very festive affair with delicious food and great entertainment from Chris Vineburg, President Cheryl Hill presented awards to some members to recognise their volunteer efforts. Ken Norris was presented with an Auxiliary quilt in recognition of his many years of volunteer service with the sub-Branch. President awards were then presented to Dianne Botfield (Auxiliary), Ann O'Connor (Welfare Officer), Barry Pareezer (Social Work Coordinator) and Chris Kirk (Sport and Recreation Officer) for the work they have done in their respective areas for the sub- Branch. Congratulations to all our recipients — very well deserved.
NELSON BAY AUXILIARY
Thank you for your response to our farewell to Ray in the last newsletter. A few follow ups... Recently at a function at Cronulla RSL, sub Branch President, Cory Rinaldi, presented Ray with one of his amazing paintings. ‘Sacrifice’ was part of Cory’s Exhibition ‘A Soldiers Healing’, which documented his journey of service and healing through the creative power of art. Cory was part of the ANZAC Memorial's Veteran Artist in Residence Program, which aims to increase opportunities to promote wellbeing and support veterans through visual art, music, drama and creative writing. The painting was inspired by a memory of an experience Cory had during his service in Iraq in 2006. Whilst attending a 'sunset parade' held for British military personnel who perished when their helicopter was shot down in the city of Basra, Cory stood to the attention of two coffins for over half an hour. To read Cory’s story visit https://bit.ly/CoryRinaldi, he’s a remarkable man.
This is a very small photo, but to read this terrific article on Ray by Tim Barlass, which was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on November 17, visit: Lunch with… Ray James: Former NSW RSL president recalls Australia’s worst naval disaster (smh.com.au)
Ray and Pauline have just returned from a vey well-deserved holiday — a cruise to New Zealand. We all know they cannot go anywhere without running into someone they know. On the same cruise was Chris Colvin, President of the City of Orange sub-Branch. Chris knew Ray would be on the same ship and arranged to make a presentation on behalf of the City of Orange sub Branch.
POPPY BALL The big event this year was the Poppy Ball which took place on November 11th, and was a roaring success. A huge congratulations to everyone involved in putting it together, especially RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, Captain Troy Duggan and the crew of HMAS Adelaide. I have to give Pauline a She came up with the idea a few years ago and never gave up on making it happen.
Thank you to the Hon Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, for buying this beautiful quilt made by Jan Hawken, which was auctioned at the Ball. It now hangs proudly in her office.
GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
Jenny Laycock - Manilla Auxiliary.
To all our Auxiliary Members who are not feeling the best at the moment, we are thinking of you and sending our love and best wishes.