By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
EX-SERVICEMEN and women can be a strange breed, admits RSL Geelong sub-branch president Alan Frisby with a laugh.
“They are all like-minded, no matter where they served, when or for how long,” Allan declared.
“We’ve all been trained the same way and we speak the same language and we’re comfortable with each other.
“Unless you have walked in a veteran’s shoes, unless you’ve experienced military service, then you can’t understand what it’s all about.”
“We seldom speak about the nasty side of war but it’s always there, nevertheless.”
Allan said the public perception of RSL clubs as a place for a meal, a beer or a flutter sometimes masked the deeper reasons for their existence.
“To us it’s a sub-branch of the Returned Services League, not so much a club.
“Yes, we have a commercial side, but we also have the traditional sub-branch with its meetings, look after veteran’s welfare and pensions and conducting appeals on behalf of vets.”
East Timor serviceman Andrew Hamms said the support offered through the RSL sub-branch was crucial.
“There are support groups available as well as the RSL providing fellowship, recreational and social activities to look after the vets and their dependents,” he said.
“When people have a bit of a struggle we have a referral service but mostly its talking veteran to veteran.”
As the RSL members chat to the Independent an art group for ex-servicemen and their immediate families sets up, with Geelong Art Society teacher Brian Close nurturing some budding talent.
“We can just focus on art and forget about everything else for a while,” Dorothy Smith said.
“It’s time just to ourselves. It’s a bit of a therapy group but we enjoy the opportunity to learn more about art.”
Alan was proud of the record of Victorian RSL clubs in remaining true to the founding tradition dating back to 1916.
“It differs from state to state but we are a true blue RSL,” he said.
“We organise the commemorative services, organise the Anzac appeal at 16 sites around Geelong and hold fund-raising raffles.
“Geelong is generous,” Alan acknowledged.
“The last two years we have been the highest fund-raising country sub branch and the third highest including metropolitan branches.”
Geelong sub-branch has four different membership categories: Service, for members who served in Australian Defence Force or allied forces; affiliate members, who are relatives of those who served; Social, or non-voting, memberships; and community members.
Alan confided proudly that the club had a membership of 3000 members, with about 1200 as service and affiliate members.
“We’re trying to encourage our young people to get involved through greater school involvement.
“We find more young people are researching their grandfather or great-grandfather, they’re keen to read or hear about them and their stories.
“This new generation has taken Anzac to heart and it becomes a strong family bond going generations back.”
