Each month, more than 20 community groups or individual members enter their stories and updates from the Forest Lake Community. This makes up our valued group of Community Contributors. Below are our articles for the Community Group category below, featuring the Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub-branch, the Rotary Club of Forest Lake, and the Lions Club.
Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub-branch
By Mal Lynch
Farewell to George Churchward
At the Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub-branch General Meeting on March 21 we said farewell to long standing club member, George Churchward, who at the sprightly age of 99 years has opted to move from the district and take up residence on Bribie Island, to pursue a leisurely lifestyle of beachcomber and fisherman.
George has always been there for the RSL since 1947 and the Forest Lake Sub-branch since 2003. He is a veteran of WW2 having served in Port Moresby and Wau, PNG and as such is one of the few remaining veterans of that conflict. He served on the executive committee as a welfare officer and as president of the sub-branch. He also performed duties as delegate of the South Eastern District of RSL Queensland. He was awarded Life Membership of the RSL on 27 August 2022.
Vice President of RSL Queensland Mrs Wendy Taylor pictured cutting the cake with George attended to farewell George. Also in attendance for the occasion were present and past members of the South East Districts of RSL Queensland, Judy Alterator, Board Secretary, Judith Munday, past Treasurer and Julia Taunton-Burnet, our District Secretary.
George, we wish you a well-deserved break from your duties within the club management group for which you have worked so hard at Forest Lake over the past twenty years. Your efforts have been appreciated by the club membership, South East District RSL and by RSL Queensland.
George Churchward and Wendy Taylor. Photo by Sharron Ford.
Bayside RSL Visit
On March 28 a small group of sub-branch members travelled to the Redlands RSL Club for a day excursion. The Club served a fabulous lunch. I am advised that the highlight of the day was a visit to the club library and museum. The facility provides a relaxing precinct for Veterans and Ex Servicemen and Women to explore the displays and multimedia available within the library.
ANZAC Day
In the leadup to ANZAC day, club members participate in the selling of badges and memorabilia at Forest Lake and Richlands shopping centres. A considerable amount was raised through donations and sales to provide financial support to those members who are in need. The Forest Lake & Districts RSL Sub-branch committee would like to thank the local community for their support.
The club would also like to pass on their appreciation for the participation of the community in the ANZAC Day Parade held at the Lake. The day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.It commemorates the sacrifices made by veterans at Gallipoli and subsequent missions spanning more than one hundred years of involvement to achieve world peace.
Reference: Australian War Memorial
Rotary Club of Forest Lake
By Bob Briton
The Rotary Club of Forest Lake was again part of the local ANZAC Day Service by working with the Forest Lake RSL club. We will be helping out at Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment (RARE) with the packing of a shipping container with Medical and Educational repurposed equipment and books destined for a Pacific Island nation or Papua New Guinea early in May. This will be followed by us assisting at a citizenship ceremony at Calamvale Community College the following week.
Club Members at the Annual Rotary District Conference with Guest Speaker General Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC.
Rotary International theme for this month is Youth Services. Rotary believes in developing the next generation of leaders. Our programs help younger leaders build leadership skills, expand education and learn the value of service.
Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills and learn about the world through service projects and activities. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a leadership development program for young people who want to learn new skills, build their confidence, and have fun. Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace, one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. New Generations Service Exchange is a short-term, customizable program for university students and professionals up to age 30. Participants can design exchanges that combine their professional goals with a humanitarian project.
Lions Club of Forest Lake
St John’s Anglican College Leos and Lions Club provide Easter gifts
On Easter Sunday, April and Sandra from the Lions Club of Forest Lake delivered
Easter Eggs on behalf of the Lions Club of Forest Lake and the St Johns Anglican
College Leos Club to the Inala Salvation Army.
The Leos and Lions Clubs project of giving of Easter Eggs is an annual project,
recognising the importance of caring for others and supporting those less fortunate.
Jazmin and her sons Jydan, Karlee and Lynton with Auntie Leanne who live in Inala
were extremely pleased to receive a free breakfast and easter eggs for her children.
The Lions Club of Forest Lake and the John’s Anglican College Leo’s would like to
thank Forest Lake Centre Management for the donation of the eggs which brought
many smiles to children on Easter Sunday.
The Lions Club of Forest Lake also had a visitation from the District Governor Graeme Emery at their March dinner meeting.
Graeme congratulated the Club on their achievements throughout the year and gave out a few awards and presentations. DG Graeme also inducted Haley Grady into the Club.
For membership enquiries or if you would like to serve your local community, please give Linda a call on 0402 061 907.
