Gulgong RSL sub-Branch in Gulgong, New South Wales | Community organisation

Gulgong RSL sub-Branch

Locality: Gulgong, New South Wales

Address: 64 Herbert Street 2852 Gulgong, NSW, Australia

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25.01.2022 Australian Government Department of Veterans Affairs is asking veterans and their families to provide their views on how the ex-service community is consulted ...and engaged, and how this can be improved. For more information, including how to participate in the survey, visit the DVA website here: http://ow.ly/r8J550Aq9fB See more

24.01.2022 Just a reminder that our March general meeting will be held at 10.00am this morning followed by the Annual General Meeting. All sub-Branch members are urged to attend as this is an election year.

23.01.2022 Using Ingenuity To Commemorate ANZAC Day Differently With the restrictions and challenges posed by COVID-19, the RSL has today shared five key ways Australians can commemorate ANZAC Day, both in the lead-up and the day itself, as the community looks for new and different initiatives to honour the service and sacrifice of our brave servicemen and women past and present. The RSL hopes these suggestions enable all Australians to commemorate in one or multiple ways, not just on A...NZAC Day itself, but in its lead-up. Furthermore, the RSL hopes that these suggestions will inspire Australians to continue to develop and share other ideas for commemorating and paying their respects for our ANZACS. Ways You Can Commemorate ANZAC Day 2020 1. Be part of the Community Ode Record a video of yourself reciting The Ode or sharing a message of support for veterans on your social media.Respond Going to our ANZAC Day 2020 Facebook event. Then use the hashtags #ANZACspirit and #lightupthedawn and share how youll be commemorating privately, as well as who youll be remembering this ANZAC Day. 2. Light up the dawn at 6am on ANZAC Day. Go to the end of your driveway, stand on your balcony or in your loungeroom and listen to a brief commemorative service. Together even while apart well remember those who served and sacrificed. You can pledge your support at rslanzacspirit.com.au 3. Tune into live services and virtual commemorative services. This includes the 5.30am service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. There will also be a 10am virtual and streamed service (closed to the public) from the Anzac Memorial in Sydney that will be broadcast live with more details to follow. 4. Reach out to a mate or veteran who might be alone. Many people are alone during this time of isolation. Its an opportunity to invoke the ANZAC value of mateship and check to see how a mate is doing. And if you know a veteran please call or reach out to them, check in on them, thank them for their service and help them if needed during this time. 5. Donate to the ANZAC Appeal online at anzacappeal.com.au. Donations support Australian veterans and their families in need. In addition to these five suggestions, the RSL acknowledges the wide variety of other ideas being embraced across the country, many of which originated from passionate everyday Australians keen to demonstrate their ANZAC Spirit on a day that belongs to all Australians. See more

22.01.2022 Edward Brophy Gulgong

21.01.2022 The poignant words of The Ode of Remembrance will be heard around Australia today as we commemorate Remembrance Day. In recognition of the 75th anniversary of V...ictory in the Pacific earlier this year, we would like to share a very special reading of The Ode featuring six of our members who all served in WWII. #remembertoremember #remembranceday

21.01.2022 Here is the third instalment of our lead up to Anzac Day, this time with the Australian Army Band presenting a Brass Quintet arrangement of "In Flanders Field".... These videos are a collaboration from the various Australian Army Band sub-units located all around the country. Trumpets - Corporal Jono Apps / Lance Corporal David Willis French Horn - Musician Carly Brown Trombone - Corporal Brendan Moore Tuba - Musician David Sunderland Recorded by Sergeant James Duquemin / Corporal Scott McCormick / Lance Corporal Jake Curro Audio Mixed by Corporal Scott McCormick Video Mixed by Sergeant James Duquemin #AusArmyBand Australian Army #YourADF #AnzacDay2020

20.01.2022 Thanks to a Community Grant awarded by the Mid West Regional Council Gulgong RSL sub-Branch now has a gazebo that will provide shade at our commemorative ceremonies. The first outing for the new gazebo will be on 11th November at our Remembrance Day Ceremony. The sub-Branch is very grateful to MWRC for their generosity.

19.01.2022 Today we remember those who served in the Vietnam War, where 60,000 Australians served and over 500 tragically lost their lives. On this day in a rubber plantat...ion near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers fought one of their fiercest battles of the war, the Battle of Long Tan. The men of Delta Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, faced a force of some 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops. Conditions were tough, as heavy rain fell on the battle field. 18 Australians died as a result of the action and 25 were wounded Today we say thank you for your service and honour those Vietnam veterans both living and past. #TYFYS

19.01.2022 The government has now recommended the Victoria Cross for Edward (Teddy) Sheean.

18.01.2022 A Fromelles durant les combats, le sous-lieutenant Simon Fraser va aider avec dautres soldats et brancardiers transporter les blesss en allant les chercher ...dans le no mans land, malgr linterdiction formelle de ses suprieurs. Pour rappeler le geste de Simon Fraser et ceux de nombreux autres soldats partis rechercher leurs frres darmes, une statue les Cobbers sculpte par Peter Corlett a t rige Fromelles en 1998, au Parc Mmorial australien. Elle montre le Sergent Fraser ramenant sur ses paules un "cobber", un camarade bless appartenant au 60e bataillon. Simon Fraser perd la vie au cours de la seconde bataille de Bullecourt, le 12 mai 1917. Sa tombe est aujourdhui toujours inconnue. Photo : crdit Australian War Memorial, Maxime Delire

18.01.2022 The very talented Australian Army Band

18.01.2022 Australian Defence Force Parachute Training The first parachute training unit was formed in 1942, the Paratroop Training Unit (PTU) and at the end of the war was disbanded. On 12 August 1951, the Parachute Training Wing was formed as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. The units first Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor was Squadron Leader C.A.V. Bourne. The instructors on the staff were both Army and RAAF personnel. The first ...course of trainees commenced in September 1951 and in 1958 the wing was renamed the Parachute Training Flight. In 1961, the first Military Free Fall (MFF) Paratroop Course was conducted. The Army assumed responsibility for parachute training on 14 May 1974 and the school was renamed the Parachute Training School, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith (OC of D Coy during the Battle of Long Tan). The school relocated to Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross in 1986 and has continued its role there until the present. The photo below of a group of Commandos undertaking parachute training was taken in June 1970. Included among the trainees is the current Gulgong sub-Branch Secretary, John Fielding.

17.01.2022 Spare a couple of minutes and watch this moving tribute by these wonderful young people. I hope you enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/watch

17.01.2022 Ill share a poem by Ben Campbell, the son of an ex-serviceman and past president of Gulgong RSL Club. Footprints in the Dust... The dew has settled early, As we greet the April dawn.... The pink and purple hues entwine, In the rapture of the morn. Todays air is somewhat bolder, Clean-crisp, and fresh and free. As we ruminate on sacrifice, And question what is meant to be. No parade today, nor ticker tape, Though in minds their boots go past. With reverence, respect, and love In flags that fly half mast. Their job is done, now ours takes hold. With candles held for them. We must maintain our day of pride, Not let the years condemn. For we walk upon a trodden path, From those who came before. And the beat it sounds the echo Of a memory to endure. Note well the imprint that you leave, On a life thats held in trust. Lest we forget, like gentle rain On their footprints in the dust. Though age may weary bodies, Hearts and heads will hold the core. So our childrens childrens children Lose not truth and know the score. Little feet then march with honour, In place of those weve lost from sight. And little hands will pin the medals, Upon their chest, and proudly right. So take up a sprig of Rosemary, And lay down the flower wreath. Sip quietly on a rum and milk, For those that rest beneath. Toss two pennies to the crystal sky, Fear not the head nor tail. Salute to those returned not whole, And those yet to set sail. In solemn silence; hold as one, For those whos march is done. As we thank them for their service, And for the life so dearly won. Take heed and heart my cobber. Hear what that lonely bugle told. As we stand tall and strong together, For those who grow not old.

16.01.2022 A directive has come from RSL NSW Head Office that due to restrictions on gatherings in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 all ANZAC Day Services have been cancelled. Gulgong RSL sub-Branch wishes to advise that we will comply with the directive and sadly will not be holding any ANZAC Day Services this year. The scheduled War Widows and Indigenous Service Personnel Commemoration which was to be held on April 12 has also been cancelled.

16.01.2022 The Gulgong RSL Sub-Branch held the town’s Rememberance Ceremony this morning at 11am. A great crowd attended to recognise the 11th hour of the 11th day and the 11th month Armistice in 1918. #gogulgong Gulgong RSL sub-Branch

15.01.2022 Happy 103 rd Birthday dear Iris

15.01.2022 At the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday March 8, all current office bearers were elected unopposed. President: David Henderson Vice President: Peter Leotta Secretary: John Fielding Treasurer: Craig Holden... Trustees: Ron Kelly, Jim Delarue, Karl Ritar Delegates to Western Region: John Fielding, Ron Kelly See more

14.01.2022 Gulgong RSL sub-Branch COVID-19 Update. In order to comply with lockdown requirements, there will be no Gulgong RSL sub-Branch meetings until further notice. During the lockdown period, the sub-Branch will be managed via phone calls between the Executive Committee and the trustees until restrictions are lifted. Should you have any concerns or suggestions, please contact one of the executive and it will be discussed. Please adhere to the strict lockdown conditions and stay safe.

14.01.2022 Keith Roberts was a gun loader on the HMAS Australia when Kamikaze pilots attacked the ship. #oneinamillion #thankyouforyourservice Share your story: Visit the ...Wall of Respect. If you lived during the Second World War post a picture of yourself at the time. If you had a relative who served during the War post a picture of you holding their picture or something of significance to you (e.g. their medals). Visit the Wall of Respect. www.dva.gov.au/oneinamillion

13.01.2022 Marking the 75th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Gulgong This afternoon I joined members of the Gulgong RSL Sub Branch to remember the men an...d women who served and sacrificed for Australia during the Second World War. COVID restrictions have meant full services wont be taking place but locally and nationally we still remember all they did to keep Australia and the world free. To mark 75 years since the end of the conflict, the Gulgong Sub Branch Members organised a very fitting commemoration which included The Last Post, The Ode of Remembrance, the laying of wreaths and some brief addresses. Id like to thank President David Henderson, Peter Leotta, Craig Holden, Ron Kelly and John Fielding and all the members for their work and commitment in keeping the memory of those who served alive in the Gulgong area. On Saturday the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Service will be nationally broadcast on the ABC and other networks from 9:30am, with the service commencing at 10:00am. To search for a commemoration near you, visit the webpage of the Office of Australia War Graves or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Lest We Forget

12.01.2022 Today is the 75th Anniversay of the Australian Landing at Balikpapan. The Balikpapan landing was the concluding stage of Operation Oboe, the campaign to liberate Japanese-held British and Dutch Borneo. The landings took place on 1 July 1945. The Australian 7th Division, composed of the 18th, 21st and 25th Infantry Brigades, Royal Australian Naval Beach Commandos and a small number of Netherlands East Indies KNIL troops, made an amphibious landing, codenamed Operation Oboe Tw...o, a few miles north of Balikpapan. The Allied invasion fleet consisted of around 100 ships. The landing had been preceded by heavy bombing and shelling by Australian and US air and naval forces. The Allied force totalled 33,000 personnel and was commanded by Major General Edward Milford, while the Japanese force, commanded by Rear Admiral Michiaki Kamada, numbered between 8,400 and 10,000, of which between 3,100 and 3,900 were combatants. After the initial landing, the Allies secured the town and its port, and then advanced along the coast and into the hinterland, capturing the two Japanese airfields. Major combat operations concluded around 21 July, but were followed by mopping-up operations, which lasted until the end of the war in mid-August. Australian troops remained in the area until early 1946. See more

12.01.2022 There is a lot of resentment and hatred at what this man has done to the reputation of the RSL and seething anger that he has got out of it virtually scott free.

12.01.2022 Reginald Roy Rattey was born in NSW in 1918 and was in the local militia light horse troop when WWII began. In 1942 he volunteered for the Second AIF. After ser...ving in a carrier company in New Guinea, he transferred to the 25th Battalion, another militia unit, and landed on Bougainville in late 1944. After Corporal Rattey was awarded the Victoria Cross it was said that, "His bravery was an incentive to the entire company." Rattey died in 1986 in West Wyalong, Central West NSW. (Source: Australian War Memorial).

12.01.2022 Yesterday’s Remembrance Day Ceremony was well attended on a beautiful spring morning. Our Armistice Memorial was enhanced by the addition of 4 ghostly soldiers kindly manufactured by sub-Branch Trustee, Ron Kelly. Thank you to all who attended to mark 102 years since the cessation of hostilities of World War One and to honour those who made the supreme sacrifice in the defence of our nation in all wars.... Photos kindly supplied by Joy Harrison.

11.01.2022 Today, members from Mudgee, Gulgong & Dubbo RSL Sub-Branches braved the bitter weather to hear RSL NSW Acting President Ray James and RSL CEO Jon Black speak on... the RSL NSW Strategic Plan at Parklands. Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs Ms Victoria Benz was also in attendance as a special guest. It was a very informative morning with lots of details on the Strategic plan explained. It was great then to be able to have a Q & A with Ray, Jon & Veronica about matters that affect many veterans and how we see ourselves as an organisation moving forward. Mudgee, Gulgong & Dubbo RSL Sub-Branches would like to thank Ray, Jon & Veronica, along with Pauline & Michelle for including Mudgee in their busy schedule to allow the rural veterans to receive this information first hand. See more

11.01.2022 On This Day In Australian Commando History 14 July 1956 The first Sherwood Green Beret was awarded in Australia to Captain George Cardy of 1st Commando Company. Strike Swiftly

11.01.2022 Recently Mr Keith Ray, who lives just west of Parramatta, made a special trip to Gulgong to make a donation to our Military Museum. Mr Ray presented us with a beautiful, framed 1920s poster "Record of Australias Voluntary Effort in the Great War (A.I.F.) Aug 4th 1914 - June 28th 1919. The poster is currently on display in the RSL Clubs Board Room and will eventually be relocated to the Military Museum.... The members of the Gulgong RSL sub-Branch are most grateful to Mr Ray for this very generous donation.

08.01.2022 Today is Reserve Forces Day and wed like to say a big thank you to all our Navy, Army and Air Force Reservists. Its been a busy year due to the bushfire cris...is and COVID-19 pandemic. So, thank you to Reservists past and present for your service, and thank you to their families and employers who provide valuable support when Reservists are called upon as they have been this year. Photo credit: Department of Defence

08.01.2022 Our Deputy Chief of Army, Major General Anthony Rawlins, DSC, AM, recently took the opportunity to test out his skills as a musician in the Australian Army Band.... Unlocking the full potential of #OurPeople, their hidden talents and innovative ideas is an integral part of being an #ArmyInMotion. Listen to Major General Rawlins as he drums along to My Sharona by The Knack!

07.01.2022 As usual Gulgong RSL sub-Branch will be conducting a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Anzac Park Gulgong on Wednesday 11th November commencing around 10.50am. As COVID-19 restrictions apply our Covid Marshal will be stationed at our sub-Branch gazebo to record attendees details and dispense hand sanitizer. It is therefore recommended that you arrive a few minutes earlier than the start time so as to ensure you have time to sign in.

06.01.2022 The Military Police Pointsman - WW2 posters from Australia, United States and Canada. Different army - same task.

05.01.2022 The official directive and the reason why. https://www.rslnsw.org.au//president-update-16-march-2020/

04.01.2022 Produced by Gulgong RSL sub-Branch member Jason Fielding. 20 years ago I attended the dawn service at Gallipoli to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the landing. A truly amazing and humbling experience. I still get choked up looking back at these memories to the tune of Eric Bogles "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda".... Lest We Forget. #ANZACspirit

04.01.2022 DO YOU KNOW THIS VETERAN? We are looking to track down 12,000 WW2 veterans and tell them about A special commemorative medallion marking the 75th anniversary o...f the end of the Second World War. The medallion, available to all living veterans who apply, will be presented in a display case and is a gesture of appreciation from a grateful nation to those veterans who fought to protect our way of life in the terrible conflict that ended 75 years ago. https://hubs.ly/H0t8dFk0 #OneInAMillion #75Days75Stories #WW2 #WWII #Veteran #75th #VPDay #VJDay #WorldWar #Victory #worldwar #ww #history #worldwartwo #military #secondworldwar #worldwarii #warhistory

03.01.2022 If in Mudgee today please support the Gulgong RSL sub-Branch Bunnings BBQ. Pop in and say hi to all the lovely volunteers they have soft drinks and sausage sandwiches ready to go!

03.01.2022 Gulgong sub-Branch will recommence their activities with the first meeting to be held on Friday 3rd July at 7.30 pm.

02.01.2022 Roden Cutler VC recalls the scenes of celebration in Melbourne on the day the war ended. #oneinamillion #thankyouforyourservice Share your story: Visit the Wall... of Respect. If you lived during the Second World War post a picture of yourself at the time. If you had a relative who served during the War post a picture of you holding their picture or something of significance to you (e.g. their medals). Visit the Wall of Respect. www.dva.gov.au/oneinamillion

01.01.2022 GULGONG RSL sub-Branch COVID-19 UPDATE: ANZAC DAY 2020 In an effort to adhere to the Governments ban on public gatherings and in consultation with sub-Branches: RSL NSW has issued the following directive to sub-Branches. RSL NSW reinforced the previous decision there are to be no RSL organised services, commemorations, breakfasts, lunches or other activities conducted on ANZAC Day in New South Wales. Dawn Service RSL NSW fully supports the proposed nationally televi...sed and streamed service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. This service will be led by the Governor General and Prime Minister. RSL NSW will support and promote a nation-wide campaign focused on ANZAC Spirit with the taglines #ANZAC spirit and #StandTo. This will include a community stand in your driveway, facing the east commemorative act, commencing at 6am. RSL NSW will facilitate a 10am televised, virtual and streamed closed service attended by the Governor at the Hyde Park Memorial. In view of this directive, the Gulgong RSL sub-Branch executive, via a phone call meeting, resolved to comply with the directive and regrettably will therefore not be conducting any ANZAC Day Services. Individuals can still honour the sacrifice of veterans in the safety of their own home via the televised commemorations listed above. They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them Nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them Lest we forget See more

01.01.2022 Around Gulgong, NSW Gold was discovered at Gulgong in 1870 and by 1872, twenty thousand people had flocked to the area. Prior to the gold rush, Gulgong was just... a big sheep run with rolling countryside. Many businesses were quickly established, often in no more than tents with timber faades. The resulting streets are narrow and winding, giving the town an intimate character with a rich variety of weatherboard, iron, stone and brick structures showing some superb original signwriting. Gulgong is the town on the first $10 note and the setting of many of Henry Lawsons poems My day in Gulgong was an enjoyable one, walking through all the streets and imagining the hustle and bustle of life in days gone by. See more

01.01.2022 Judy, a purebred pointer, was the mascot of several ships in the Pacific, and was captured by the Japanese in 1942 and taken to a prison camp. There she met Air...craftsman Frank Williams, who shared his small portion of rice with her. Judy raised morale in the POW camp, and also barked when poisonous snakes, crocodiles or even tigers approached the prisoners. When the prisoners were shipped back to Singapore, she was smuggled out in a rice sack, never whimpering or betraying her presence to the guards. The next day, that ship was torpedoed. Williams pushed Judy out of a porthole in an attempt to save her life, even though there was a 15-foot drop to the sea. He made his own escape from the ship, but was then recaptured and sent to a new POW camp. He didnt know if Judy had survived, but soon he began hearing stories about a dog helping drowning men reach pieces of debris after the shipwreck. And when Williams arrived at the new camp, he said: "I couldnt believe my eyes! As I walked through the gate, a scraggly dog hit me square between the shoulders and knocked me over. Id never been so glad to see the old girl!" They spent a year together at that camp in Sumatra. "Judy saved my life in so many ways," said Williams. "But the greatest of all was giving me a reason to live. All I had to do was look into those weary, bloodshot eyes and ask myself: What would happen to her if I died? I had to keep going." Once hostilities ceased, Judy was then smuggled aboard a troopship heading back to Liverpool. In England, she was awarded the Dickin Medal (the "Victoria Cross" for animals) in May 1946. Her citation reads: "For magnificent courage and endurance in Japanese prison camps, which helped to maintain morale among her fellow prisoners, and also for saving many lives through her intelligence and watchfulness". At the same time, Frank Williams was awarded the PDSAs White Cross of St. Giles for his devotion to Judy. Frank and Judy spent a year after the war visiting the relatives of English POWs who had not survived, and Frank said that Judy "always provided a comforting presence to the families." When Judy finally died at the age of 13, Frank spent two months building a granite and marble memorial in her memory, which included a plaque describing her life story.