MORE than 150 veterans, community members and guests came together on the evening of Saturday 6 June to celebrate a remarkable milestone, marking 80 years since the establishment of the Nambucca Heads RSL Sub-Branch.
The event also recognised the generations of volunteers who supported local veterans and their families.
Held at the Nambucca Heads RSL Club, the anniversary dinner commemorated the meeting held on 16 April 1946, when a group of predominantly World War II veterans gathered in what was then little more than a shed on the current club site to establish the Nambucca Heads RSL Sub-Branch.
Sub-Branch President Denis Lane welcomed guests including Nambucca Valley Mayor Councillor Gary Lee, RSL Club board members, veterans and members of the broader community.
He reflected on the foresight of those founding members whose efforts created an organisation that continues today as a volunteer-run, not-for-profit group dedicated to supporting veterans’ wellbeing and serving the local community.
Mr Lane paid tribute to the founding executive, comprising President Cliff Williams, Vice President Jim Munro, Secretary Fred Davis and Treasurer Norm Andrews.
He also acknowledged the contribution of former President Bob Provost, who served the Sub-Branch from 1970 until 2006 and was represented at the celebration by his daughter Gaynor.
A highlight of the evening was the official launch of the book We’ve Got Your Back, written by local author Carrolline Rhodes.
The publication chronicles the first 80 years of the Sub-Branch and the people who helped shape its history.
The book was launched by respected historian, author and veteran Trevor Lynch, who is well-known for his work documenting local military history.
Responding to Mr Lynch’s introduction, Ms Rhodes told those gathered that her research revealed just how significant the veterans’ community the Nambucca Heads RSL Sub-Branch had been in shaping lives across the district for almost a century.
Guests also viewed the short film ‘On That Beautiful Shore’, written and directed by Sarah Naomi Muir, the daughter and granddaughter of veterans, before enjoying a theatrical performance of ‘Gaggin’s Circus’ presented by the Wyz Wimmin and Friends Theatre Company. This consisted of a deeply moving monologue from war- time letters.
The special guest of the evening was Commander David Myers RAN, who is also the nephew of Mr John Kent OAM, a tireless volunteer in the veterans and broader Nambucca Valley communities.
Commander Myers addressed the gathering, focusing on the relevance and significance of the Sub Branch’s anniversary, speaking shortly before his promotion to Captain and upcoming appointment as Royal Australian Naval Attaché to Indonesia.
Another significant moment of the evening was the presentation of life membership to auxiliary member Catherine Henderson.
A member since June 2000, Ms Henderson has spent 26 years supporting fundraising activities including raffles and bingo, helping generate funds that directly supported the wellbeing of local veterans.
Mr Lane said the auxiliary’s fund-raising efforts were the “lifeblood” of the Sub-Branch, with all funds raised remaining in the local area to assist veterans and their families.
The organising committee, comprising Gayle Keenan, Brian and Ellen Duncan, Brad D’elboux and John Kent, was recognised for bringing the event together.
Special thanks were also extended to Carrolline Rhodes, Nambucca Heads RSL Club CEO Wendy Mills and her staff, the Club board of directors, graphic artist Sheree Markham, the Wyz Wimmin and Friends Theatre Company, and supporting organisations including Nambucca Heads Lions Club, Bernard Laverty Funerals and several anonymous donors.
Mr Lane reserved particular praise for John Kent, describing him as the driving force behind the anniversary celebrations.
“John is the main instigator of this event and has worked tirelessly since last August to put this entire evening together, including liaising with Carrolline in the research and production of the book which was launched earlier,” he said.
As the evening concluded, guests reflected not only on eight decades of service and support, but also on the enduring role the Nambucca Heads RSL Sub-Branch continued to play in the lives of local veterans.
Copies of We’ve Got Your Back remain available for purchase and provide a valuable record of both the Sub-Branch’s history and the wider contribution veterans have made to the Nambucca Valley community throughout the past 80 years.
By Mick BIRTLES
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