Torquay RSL | Community organisation

Torquay RSL

Phone: 0409 297 441

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25.01.2022 Today we celebrate International Nurses Day. Thank you to all our past and present Nurses for all you do. We especially thank all our past and present Nurses who have served and continue to serve our great country. Lest We Forget

25.01.2022 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII, 15 August 1945. Today we honour local Torquay WWII Serviceman George Oxley. George was born in July 1925 and at the age of just 17 years enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to serve for his country in WWII. George elected to enlist because (in his words) What do twins do when one joins up? so he joined his brother in signing up to serve together. They were young men entering a very adult world.... George served in the RAAF Training Command as Aircrew alongside his brother and as a Leading Aircraftsman his role was to train pilots and other aircrew to perform their roles when serving overseas and at home defending our shores during the war. George served across Australia at most training facilities conducting training, his role was pivotal to ensuring those in the air were well equipped to take on the task of defending our great country. The most prominent memory George has of his service during WWII was being in an aircraft that crash landed on its belly in Tasmania. In 1945 when the war ended George discharged from the RAAF having completed his invaluable service to our nation and returned to work on his family farm for many years thereafter. On behalf of the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch and all its Members, we wish to express our thanks to George for his service and the sacrifices he and his family made to this country during WWII. A debt that can never be repaid, we salute you. Thank you George for your service to our nation.

24.01.2022 The Story of the Road documentary is a fantastic look at the history of the Great Ocean Road and is available now on SBS On Demand . The GOR is the worlds larg...est war memorial, and provides views of some of the most beautiful parts of our state. Check it out for some powerful local history: www.sbs.com.au/ondema//1722794563769/The-Story-Of-The-Road SBS Australia Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Visit the Great Ocean Road Great Ocean Road #StoryoftheRoad Surf Coast Shire Council Colac Otway Shire Council Destination Surf Coast Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Ltd Geelong RSL Anglesea RSL Torquay RSL RSL Victoria Apollo Bay RSL

24.01.2022 A Message from RSL Victoria regarding ANZAC Day 2020 ANZAC Day 2020 will not look like the ANZAC Day that so many of us are used to participating in. There will be a Dawn Service, wreaths will be laid, the last post will be played, a minute of silence in memory of the fallen will be observed, but the service community and the public will be asked to stay at home. This does not mean that ANZAC Day is cancelled. It just means that ANZAC Day will be different.... In 2020, on April 25, while you cant go to the Shrine of Remembrance or a local Dawn Service, the RSL is asking that instead you #STANDTO. As the Last Post is played during the ANZAC Day Dawn Service walk outside, stand in your yard, driveway, or on your balcony and observe a minute of silence in respect of our veterans. Make sure that you snap a quick picture and share it right here on our Facebook page using the hashtag #STANDTO. Together, lets amplify our commitment to the ANZAC spirit. Lest We Forget.

23.01.2022 75th Anniversary of WW2 - Saturday 15th August 2020 This year on 15 August, we mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, also known as Victory in the Pacific Day. This is an opportunity for the Australian community to publicly acknowledge the service and sacrifice of veterans of the Second World War, and also recognise the contribution made by all Australians. More than 12,000 veterans of the Second World War are still with us today. ... WE should all seize the opportunity to talk to any relative, friend or neighbour who lived through the Second World War to share the experiences and stories of this great generation and to say thank you for your service. The Second World War had a significant and enduring impact on all Australians. It changed and shaped our nation forever redefining aspects of the economic, domestic and international relations landscape, and influencing social issues such as female employment and Indigenous service. Almost one million Australians served during the Second World War, fighting in theatres of war across the globe, from Europe and the Middle East through South East Asia to the Pacific. Keep in mind, this was at a time when the total population of Australia was around 7 million. Over 39,000 died and some 30,000 Australian service men and women were made prisoners of war. Most of those taken prisoner were captured by the Japanese during their advance and capture of Singapore in early 1942. While many Australians who were prisoners of war of Germany had a strong chance of returning home at the end of the war, over one-third of prisoners of the Japanese died in captivity. Australian women played a vital role, serving as nurses overseas, in auxiliary services in Australia and overseas and as workers throughout the war, maintaining our agricultural and manufacturing interests at home. We should never forget that this was a war not only fought on foreign lands, but one that came to the Australian mainland. From air raids on Darwin, Broome and across Northern Australia, to midget submarine attacks on Sydney Harbour, there were hundreds of Australians killed. The fear of an all-out attack on Australia by Japanese forces was very real. Thank you to all those who served to protect Australia during WW2 including those still in Torquay. Lest We Forget

21.01.2022 Today is Vietnam Veterans Day Thank you to all those who served- we are so proud of all our Vietnam Veterans. We praise your courage and the sacrifices you made and continue to make, especially the long lasting impact of your service in Vietnam. We stand with you and thank you. ... Lest We Forget

21.01.2022 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII Today we honour local WWII Serviceman Cecil (Cec) Browning. Cec was born in September 1924 and lived his first seventeen years in the Coburg area of Victoria. In 1936 in the company of his Aunty they set off on a sea adventure from Port Melbourne to Albany WA and from then on young Cec developed a love for the sea. As his eighteenth birthday neared he headed for the recruitment office of the Navy to sign up, this was around July 1942. His b...rother joined the Army and served for twelve years Cec completed his training and was allocated to HMAS Manoora - an Armed Merchant Cruiser which was refitted for Naval use. By 1943 she went through further changes, being converted to a Landing Ship (Infantry). Cec states that his role was Captain of the Heads but clarified this as being "Seaman General Duties" which included Master of Beach Landing Craft (able to carry approx. twenty men and land them on the beach) The Manoora, plus its sister ships Westralia and Kanimbla were all involved in most of the major assault landings in the South West Pacific. These included: Arawe, Hollandia, Moratai, Leyte Gulf and Ligayan Gulf. Cec remembers one particular day during WWII being when HMAS Australia (II) was attacked by Japanese suicide aircraft in Leyte Gulf and the ship was badly damaged (it was 21 Oct 1944). His task was to pilot his landing craft as close as possible to take on survivors, he said that the screams and cries have stayed with him to this day. It was a tough life at the time. He was returned home early with injury and was discharged in 1945. He couldnt settle down after discharge but eventually went to Trade/Night school and became a Painter and Decorator. He now has settled in Torquay with his wife of many years and up until recently still enjoyed sea adventures with many cruises. On behalf of the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch and all its Members, we wish to express our thanks to Cecil for his service and the sacrifices he and his family made to this country during WWII. A debt that can never be repaid, we salute you. Thank you Cec for your Service in WWII and your ongoing Service to the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch as a longstanding and much loved Volunteer. #vpday75

20.01.2022 What a fantastic way to support the Torquay RSL and honour our Veterans this ANZAC Day and year round. Thanks to MCG Signs Torquay for this unique initiative. Lest We Forget.

20.01.2022 This is a great reminder. Please look out for yourselves and those around you. If you need help, please reach out.

17.01.2022 Today as we mark the 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII we honour Torquay RSL Sub-Branch WWII Serviceman Royston (Roy) Cummings of HMAS Kanimbla. Roy Cummings was born in Brisbane in November 1926. He was in the Air Training Corps as a teenager. Roy enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in November 1944, on his 18th birthday. When he had completed his basic training, Roy was posted to HMAS Kanimbla which had been an armed merchant ship before it became a landing ship during ...WWII. Roy, who was Seaman General Duties was a helmsman on the bridge as part of his shipboard tasks. As well, he truly swung the lead calling depths of water to the bridge. He then drove barges to the beaches where troops were put ashore for battles with the Japanese. Roys Navy service was relatively short as the war was coming to an end and he was discharged in November 1945. However, while with HMAS Kanimbla, Roys barges were in landings under fire at Tarakan, Labuan, and Balikpapan, which according to Roy was the worst action of all. The US had withdrawn its strong support of heavy firepower before Balikpapan, which was primarily an Australian offensive at that time. At Balikpapan, Roys barge filled with Australian troops, was in the first wave of barges to hit the beaches. But that was not the end of his tasks. His barge stood offshore until he took aboard the first casualties and relayed them back to Kanimbla. It was when he was steadying a barge to be lifted aboard Kanimbla he was injured as he hit his head on a davit when the swaying barge was almost level with the deck. He was the first to be treated in the sick bay aboard Kanimbla. Roy Cummings describes his experience at war as interesting! When he was discharged Roy returned to his previous government job but could not settle and travelled for a year before joining the Canadian Air Force in Toronto as a technician Airman for three years. When asked about his interesting moments during WW2, Roy declared three actions; Balikpapan, a tornado in the Coral Sea when Kanimbla tossed, rolled and acted like a cork in a washing machine, and meeting US General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the South Pacific Forces. On behalf of the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch and all its Members, we wish to express our thanks to Roy for his service and sacrifices he and his family made to this country during WWII. A debt that can never be repaid, we salute you Roy! Thank you Roy for your service in WWII.

16.01.2022 RSL Flag Flies but Vietnam Veterans Service on Tuesday 18th August is Restricted Torquays RSL flag is flying high at the Surf Cost Shire Offices in honour of Australias Vietnam Veterans. Throughout August, the RSL flag has remained atop the dedicated flagpole in view of all who pass along the Surf Coast Highway or Merrijig Drive.... On Tuesday 18 August, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service, closed to the public, will take place not far from the flag at a little-known memorial area between the Shire Offices and the Surf Coast Secondary College. Torquay RSL President, Bob Tyler, proudly raised the flag recently remembering Vietnam Veterans and the sacrifices made by so many, but regretted not being able to hold a public commemoration because of COVID restrictions. August is special to Vietnam Veterans and their families, but this year we are not permitted to have a service open to the public he said. However, we will represent all Vietnam Veterans in the area as we lay a wreath on a day which is very special to them, Mr Tyler said. Vietnam Veterans Day is also Long Tan Day, Australias first big battle in Vietnam. On 18 August 1966, a small group of Australians fought an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers, eventually driving them off after what was one of the bloodiest battles between Australians and the enemy." Long Tan Day, has also become Australias Vietnam Veterans Day, pointed out Mr Tyler, a Vietnam Veteran himself. We should never forget what Australians have done in so many conflicts over the years and particularly in Vietnam which was Australias longest war until we became involved in the Afghanistan conflict." More than 500 Australians died in Vietnam, and hundreds more have passed on since our men and women returned home physically broken and mentally scarred as a result of their involvement, he concluded. Lest We Forget

15.01.2022 Well worth a look- WW1 Photographs in Colour. Lest We Forget https://www.facebook.com/ww1incolour/

15.01.2022 Torquay RSL Member former serving RAAF Leading Aircraftwoman Katie Reaper sharing her grandfathers war story. https://www.facebook.com/579320572268799/posts/1362754057258776/?vh=e&d=n

13.01.2022 Today a small private Vietnam Veterans Day commemorative service was held at the Surf Coast Shire Offices. Attached pictures show Torquay RSL President and Vietnam Veteran Bob Tyler together with Torquay RSL Member, Valued Volunteer and Vietnam Veteran John Macca McCarthy attending the service and laying a wreath in honour of all those who served in the Vietnam War. Lest We Forget

12.01.2022 Victorian Veterans Coronavirus Information and Support Please read and share the following information https://www.vic.gov.au/victorian-veterans-coronavirus-infor

12.01.2022 Flags harshly treated by Torquays varying weather conditions have been replaced by the Torquay RSL at the towns Aged Care facilities. Almost three years ago, the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch organised funding for flagpoles and flags at Elouera, Star of the Sea and Ocean Mist Aged Care facilities. Presenting the new flags, Torquay RSL Senior Vice President, Colonel (Retd) Clive Badelow congratulated staff at each Centre for their diligence in flying the flags throughout the year.... As a relatively new resident of Torquay, I am impressed with each of the Aged Care Centres and congratulate them for flying our National Flag daily. Our Committee knows how much the residents of the Centres look forward to the commemoration services we present at ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, and the flagpoles now provide a focal point for these ceremonies, Clive Badelow said. "We need the flags to be in excellent condition for commemorative ceremonies, but as importantly, it is a rule of flying the Australian flag that it is kept in excellent condition. Clive pointed out that the Torquay RSL Wellbeing Advocates regularly visited ex-Service people, war widows and their family members in each of the three Aged Care Centres across Torquay. They visit the Aged Care Centres, veterans in hospital and others living independently in their own homes, he advised. Those who have served their country in Australias Defence Forces are special people as are their family members; we need to look after them in their post-Service years. Torquay RSL has four Wellbeing Advocates, but as in so many organisations, they are aging and need younger people to help them care for veterans and their families. Any man or woman who would like to help volunteer in a wellbeing role is welcome to ring our office on 0409 297 441 or email [email protected] . They do not need to have been a member of Australias Defence Force, Clive Badelow concluded. Thank you to our Member for Corangamite, Ms Libby Coker MP for providing the new Australian Flags for our Aged Care Centres across Torquay.

11.01.2022 Rest In Peace Dame Vera Lynn who died today aged 103. Dame Vera Lynns song Well Meet Again became an anthem of hope and resilience during the Second World War. During the Second World War, she performed to people sheltering from bombing raids in the stations of Londons underground, and her popularity among soldiers grew her fame. She earned the nickname the forces sweetheart, touring for troops in Egypt, India and Myanmar, then known as Burma, during the war. ... https://youtu.be/T5C4meGkNyc

11.01.2022 Torquay RSL Member and currently serving Navy Lieutenant Jason Tomlin shares how he will be commemorating ANZAC Day this year. https://www.facebook.com/579320572268799/posts/1361685500698965/?vh=e&d=n

11.01.2022 Torquay RSL President Bob Tyler talking about how different ANZAC Day commemorations are this year. https://www.facebook.com/shapingyoungaustralians/videos/233529407863420/?

11.01.2022 Its National Volunteer Week!!! We thank ALL of the wonderful Volunteers who give so much of their time helping our RSL Sub-Branch function and importantly provide valuable support to Veterans across the Surf Coast Region. Thank you to our Welfare Officers, Badge and Poppy sellers, Tin Rattlers, Committee Members, Sausage Sizzlers and other Volunteers - we wouldnt survive without your Volunteering and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ... THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/get-involved/nvw/

10.01.2022 Today marks 75 years since the end of WWII. To all those who served and made the greatest of sacrifices to keep our nation safe we thank you. To those who did not make it home, may you Rest In Peace forever heroes in all our eyes. To all our Torquay RSL Sub-Branch WWII Veterans we salute you and are indebted to your service. ... Lest We Forget

10.01.2022 Today the Federal Minister for Veterans Affairs, The Hon Darren Chester MP, made the following announcement providing our local GPs with free 24/7 expert hotline assistance specifically for their Veterans clients. The hotline has been developed to support the mental health and wellbeing of Veterans nationwide and closer to home hundreds of Veterans across the Surf Coast region If you or any Veteran you know needs any support please contact your local GP or speak with som...eone from the Torquay RSL on 0409 297 441. http://journalists.medianet.com.au/DisplayAttachment.aspx

09.01.2022 Attention all WW2 Veterans Minister for Veterans Affairs Darren Chester has made the following announcement regarding a special commemorative medallion and certificate to recognise Second World War Veterans. The new medallion and certificate marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War is now available to every living Second World War veteran to say thank you for your service.... Please pass this information onto any WW2 Veteran you know. Details for application are included in the attached announcement. Lest We Forget. https://www.dva.gov.au//commemorative-medallion-and-certif

09.01.2022 Life may be a little different at the moment but we are still connecting with our Veterans regularly, just in a different way than our usual face to face catch ups and gatherings. We look forward to be bringing our Veterans another delivery next week! Stay safe everyone and look out for each other. Check in with those you know may be a little isolated and if anyone needs our support please yell out. ... Lest We Forget

08.01.2022 ANZAC Day Message from Torquay RSL Sub-Branch President Mr Bob Tyler Lest We Forget

08.01.2022 Light Up The Dawn - ANZAC Day Driveway Service 2020 Please see attached How To Guide to help with commemorating ANZAC Day from home tomorrow. Lest We Forget... Please note these are AEST times and WA/SA/NT times will vary.

06.01.2022 How to Commemorate ANZAC Day from your Home Driveway https://www.abc.net.au//how-to-commemorate-anzac-/12174808

06.01.2022 PLEASE VOTE FOR LOCAL VETERAN ARTIST IN THE NAPIER WALLER ART PRIZE 2020 ONLINE EXHIBITON About the artist Karen Shum and her artwork My Eyes Are Your Eyes. On 17 August, my painting, My Eyes Are Your Eyes, was announced as having been selected as a finalist for the 2020 Australian War Memorial Napier Waller Art Prize. The Napier Waller Art prize is open to current serving members of the Australian Defence Forces and Veterans. ... My painting is a water colour on paper of a war dog called Sarbi who served in Afghanistan. Her story is remarkable. My journey to being selected as a finalist in the Australian War Memorial 2020 Napier Waller Arts Prize, also involved sharing my progress with a Vietnam Veteran, John Quane, who raises funds to purchase war medals for our war dogs, as well as another Torquay local, Stacie Boble who gave me valuable advice and when writing my artist statement. I was born in Geelong and grew up in the Geelong region. I joined the Army in January 1992, after completing Year 12 at 17, starting my journey at the Australian Defence Force Academy. I later transferred to the Royal Australian Educational Corps where I served the majority of my career. My family and I returned home, from Queensland, after being offered a job at St Josephs Geelong, where I have worked as the Careers Coordinator for the past ten years. My husband is also a Veteran. I always enjoyed drawing and painting but stopped the pursuit of this hobby whilst serving in the Defence Forces. I began this hobby again with encouragement from family. It have participated in the Surf Coast Arts Trail each year, exhibiting usually at the Bellbrae Hall. Art provides me with an opportunity for both escapism and enjoyment. I am an animal lover, and they are the subjects I tend to draw and paint. I have always been intrigued and impressed by the bravery and courage of our war dogs, recently reading about Sarbi in the novel Saving Private Sarbi. Her story inspired me, and I chose her as the subject for my painting. John Quane, as mentioned, who also met Sarbi, provided me with feedback and advice as my painting progressed. This is the first time I have entered the Napier Waller Art prize. I am terribly pleased and honoured to have been chosen amongst other very talented serving members and Veterans. Please click on the below link and vote online for Karen and her artwork. https://www.awm.gov.au//2020-Napier-Waller-Art-Pri/my-eyes

05.01.2022 https://www.dva.gov.au//ministe/funding-boost-veteran-care

04.01.2022 Have a look at some wonderful Veterans and current serving ADF personnel from the Surf Coast Region sharing an insight into how they were planning to commemorate ANZAC Day yesterday. It may have been a different experience but we still commemorated our ANZACs with pride and respect. Lest We Forget ... https://www.shapingyoungaustralians.com.au/

03.01.2022 Ethel Lane was one of the many war nurses stationed in the Pacific who cared for former prisoners of war once the war had ended. It was pretty distressing - t...hey were so thin, but they were so grateful. She remembers their physical state and their reactions when they finally heard from home after three years. #OneInAMillion #75Days75Stories

02.01.2022 It is with great sadness we inform you that WWII Veteran and all round lovely lady Joan Sparkes passed away in the early hours of this morning 13/08/20 aged 96 years after a short illness. We pass on our condolences to Joans family and friends and may she Rest In Peace. Thank you for your Service Joan, you shall be fondly remembered by all. Lest We Forget ... 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII Honouring local WWII Servicewoman Joan (Berwick) Sparkes Joan was born in June 1924 in the Melbourne suburb of Moonee Ponds where she was educated and started her first job in a Drapery Shop. Joan remembers the day Amy Johnston landed on Moonee Valley Racecourse in her bi-plane, she was standing on the Valley Hill. Until the start of World War II, Joan lived at home, she and her sister did volunteer night shifts at St Vincent Hospital. Joan recalls returning home after shifts through the parklands was frightening during the blackouts. In 1941 Joan joined the Volunteer Aids Detachment (VAD) for overseas service but unfortunately in 1942 VAD became known as the Australian Army Medical Womens Service. In 1942, because of her experience in clothing business Joan was transferred to 1 Recruit Training Depot at Bacchus Marsh as the Quarter Master Sergeant where she remained until Victory of Europe Day. Joan was then posted to 1st General Hospital at Heidelberg where she remained until demobilisation on the 1st of October 1946. Her time at Heidelberg was spent caring/nursing the soldiers returning from the war in the Pacific and after Aug 1945 the returning POWs. Joan lost a brother but the family was only notified in 1946, she was demobilised to return home to help console her parents. In 1947 Joan married Greg and set up home and a drapery business in Maryborough VIC, raising a family and in 1976 the family moved to Torquay. On behalf of the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch and all its Members we wish to express our thanks to Joan for her service and the sacrifices she and her family made to this country during WWII. A debt that can never be repaid, we salute you. Thank you Joan for your Service.

02.01.2022 Will you join Torquay RSL and hundreds of veterans across Geelong to Light Up the Dawn on Anzac Day?