BBQ trailer supports veterans

A SHINING new barbeque trailer is servicing the community – specifically veterans – thanks to volunteering by the VicWest sub-branch of the Military Brotherhood’s Military Motorcycle Club.

With their fundraising, additional donations from an external Mates’ Day and further sponsorship, the club was able to pull together enough money and support to build the trailer.

MMC’s VicWest president, Greg Green served 39 years with the ADF before getting involved with the club. He said the trailer was worth about $20,000.

“Military Motorcycle Club is simply there to help people. We fundraise and that’s all we do – just help them access what they require,” he said.

The club has teamed up with local branches of the Vietnam Veterans Association and Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Association to deliver veterans’ support together.

VVA’s Les Finch said the trailer is a “brilliant set up.”

“Unfortunately, the numbers of our Vietnam Veterans are starting to decrease but we’re always here to help out when we can.

“It’s great to have the combined involvement… these boys are bringing a world of knowledge.”

Ray Charters from TPI enjoys working with MMC and VVA.

“We were lucky that the brotherhood asked us… we jumped at the chance.

“There are a lot of veterans that don’t get involved with anything and our aim is to get them back in,” he said.

The three groups support at least a couple of hundred local veterans every year and hope to set up a veterans’ assistance centre together.