By Mal Lynch
The Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub Branch serves to support veterans within the community. In providing this support, the Club relies upon the generosity of the community by supporting badge sales and donations in the lead up to Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
The Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub Branch is established for the principal purpose of promoting the interests and welfare of former and serving members of the ADF and their dependants by:
- Enhancing the awareness of the RSL and its activities in the community.
- Preserving the memory and records of those who served, suffered and died for the Commonwealth of Australia.
- Encouraging the members of the League and citizens to serve the Nation with a spirit of self-sacrifice and loyalty.
- Nurturing of the youth of Australia to ensure that the strength, vitality and security of our Nation is preserved and enhanced.
- We uphold the values of recognition, service, loyalty, quality and mateship in all that we do.
The club was formed in 1998, and membership is open to past and present serving members of the Australian Defence Force as well as social membership from members of the community. At present the club has approximately 127 full league members and 69 social members.
Membership is $20 annually and free of charge for current serving ADF personnel, and subject to acceptance by the board. Social membership is available on application – $25 for first year, $10 per year thereafter.
Newsletters are distributed monthly to all members. General Meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday of each month (6:30pm start). Annual General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday in February annually.
During its formative years club meetings were held in various venues within the Durack, Richlands area.
Stemming from a momentous act of generosity from the local Nashos, the Sub Branch was gifted a derelict WWII building in the Wacol Heritage Precinct in 2019. Previously part of the Wacol Army Barracks, the Precinct is also home to a chapel and hall, which are managed by the Nashos, as well as a military museum run by the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and Ex-members Association Inc. In providing a home for the Sub Branch, a new space for veterans was born.
The building required restoration including roofing, levelling, rewiring, partitions, plumbing, installation of air conditioning, painting and carpet. The club members got involved in the work under the guidance of Steve and a handful of tradesmen. Over a period of three years the building was restored for habitation and became the permanent venue for the club.
Every part of the clubhouse has been thoughtfully designed for veterans and their families, from the handmade commemorative quilts and artworks decorating the walls, to the barbecue lawn and communal hall where regular social gatherings are hosted.
- Club projects to assist veterans
- Assistance dogs for Veterans
- Activities including coffee club, monthly barbecues, bus trips, Xmas in July Trivia night
- Presidents Christmas Dinner – 7 December last.
Captions (left to right)
- SED DELEGATE Dan Baldwin and SECRETARY Sharron Ford at the Club Entrance
- Forest Lake RSL Club House
- Main Hall Forest Lake RSL Club House
- Christmas Dinner Guests Vice President Shaun Richards, Member Ian Norton, Hon Federal Member for Oxley and Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick MP and Treasurer Peter Lees .
- Christmas Dinner Guests Secretary Sharron Ford, Forest Lake Ward councillor Charles Strunk, Federal Member for Oxley and Speaker of the House of Representative Hon Milton Dick MP, and Member Alwyn Langley.
Credits:
RSL Qld – about us. Text and photographs.
Christmas Dinner photos – Norman Dean
