Well, 2024 rolls on! We had our annual general meeting and general meeting on the 18th which was very well attended.
A new secretary and deputy vice-president were appointed.
In attendance was the district director who was able to update us on RSL matters.
A new member was also given a warm welcome particularly as he has an interest in welfare.
General business included the announcement of new club shirts, our 2024 budget, purchase of a printer for the new secretary and discussion on donations to charities.
Planning for our annual Anzac Day lunch and 2UP activity at the Frenchville Sports Club is well under way.
The lunch is free to subbranch members and their partners and official guests, while a nominal charge of $10 is required by other guests. Last year 96 persons attended. Following the lunch the only registered (by law) is the official 2UP held in Rockhampton at the Frenchville Sports Club. Lunch is 1200hrs and the 2UP commences at 1400hrs.
We welcome all ex-service personnel and their families and community members.
ANZAC merchandise will be on sale the week prior to Anzac Day.
The very active Womens’ Auxiliary will be holding stalls at Frenchville Sports Club, Rockhampton Sports Club, Officeworks and Target. Service members will hold a stall at Bunnings. We appreciate all of these organisations for their valued support as 100% of funds raised at these venues goes to assisting veterans.
Our Central Queensland District AGM and GM will be held in Gracemere next month.
Delegates from many parts of CQ attend (Mackay and surrounds to The Gemfields and Emerald and all RSLs in between attend.) Business conducted at district meetings sets the year’s agenda.
Our subbranch has become very active with plans to meet the objects of the RSL which can be condensed to three Cs – Comradery, Commemorations, Caring.
The Women’s’ Auxiliary have planned a trip for members to Goovigen to visit the museum and lunch next month – 35 seats – first in best dressed. Other trips are in the pipeline.
Our new deputy vice-president is planning other monthly events which will be discussed at our April meeting.
Commemoration speaks for itself while caring covers things like emergency mowing, hospital visits and hospital packs and visits to veterans – cuppa and chat.
Obviously most our members are part of the aging generation, but a growing number of younger veterans have joined this last year.
There are both financial and practical benefits for new veterans of all ages to apply for membership.
Applying is easy – Look on line, ring the phone number and a member will contact you. We prefer face to face rather than filling out the online application as the personal touch allows for better communication.
If you are a member of another RSL in Queensland, we can also easily arrange a transfer to our subbranch.
We are aware that there are hundreds of eligible veterans out there who would benefit by applying. We will listen, adapt and do our best to make you feel welcome.
We have bi-monthly meetings. The next will be held on Sunday, 15 April at the Frenchville Sports Club (The Home of Rockhampton RSL).
The meeting commences at 10.15am and usually takes about an hour.
