Anglesea RSL honours 80 years of service ahead of Anzac Day

AS communities prepare to mark Anzac Day, Anglesea RSL is reflecting on 80 years of service shaped by dedication, honesty and a strong sense of community.

The sub-branch traces its origins to late 1945, when returned servicemen involved in the volunteer defence force began laying its foundations.

It received its formal charter in April 1946.

Historian Jan Shannen said those early members “put the bones together” for what would become a lasting part of the local community.

Rosemary Adcock, a former president and descendant of C. Adcock, president 1952-1954.

The Russell family donated the land where the RSL still stands, while the building itself was donated, transported and reassembled in the early 1950s by servicemen with carpentry skills.

Since then, the club has supported more than 450 servicemen and servicewomen connected to Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae.

Today, it continues to provide wellbeing support for veterans, visit senior members in aged care and host local Anzac Day services – a role that will again be central this week as the community gathers to remember.

Shannen said the 80th anniversary was an opportunity to recognise service across all eras, from the first world war through to modern conflicts.

Kathleen Page and Jack Tucker cutting the cake.They are both in their 100th year. Photo: Supplied.

“The RSL will continue to play an important role in the community and support people with open arms,” she said.

“Our 80-year celebrations were all about getting together the founders in 1946 and the families of various well-known members throughout our history.

“We even found prisoner of war members who later became members of our RSL.

“Those people are the backbone of our RSL today, so we celebrated them in a respectful and honourable way.”

More than 100 people gathered at the RSL’s club rooms earlier this month to mark the milestone.

Committee member Tim Bouldin had the celebration served as a powerful reminder of the impact the RSL has had on the community.

Above: Ian and Jan Arnold, descendants of Harry Sydall, the Anglesea RSL’s inaugural president from 1946 to 1948. Below: Kathleen Page and Jack Tucker cutting the cake.They are both in their 100th year. Photos: Supplied.

“These friendly faces and their families have made up our sub-branch for eight decades,” he said. “It’s wonderful to be able to acknowledge them for what they’ve done. ”

The Anglesea RSL has turned its focus to the future, buoyed by growing membership and strong community support.

“Many RSL branches around the state are shutting down, but ours is attracting new membership,” Bouldin said.

“It makes us very proud, and we feel we are in wonderful shape to continue this on for many years to come.”