Inverleigh RSL to host open day

TOMORROW’S open day at Inverleigh RSL offers a chance to meet and mingle with members keen to share their knowledge while browsing through their extensive collection.

The annual open day has been held for the past five years, but this will be the first to feature the Geelong Reenactment Group and a displays of military vehicles, weapons and equipment.

There will also be a barbecue by gold coin donation, tea, coffee, sweet treats, and an open bar with funds raised going to support veteran welfare and the subbranch’s plans to extend the building.

It houses an impressive collection including uniforms from World War Two and onwards, and some poignant pieces like a painstakingly handwritten letter penned by a local lad to his mother while he was serving on the Western Front in 1917 during World War One.

“We’re hoping to make it more interactive this time,” said Inverleigh RSL secretary affiliate member Mark Reid.

“It’s not about glorifying war. It’s about education. If you see it for real it brings the conversations about.”

Inverleigh RSL president Deema Johnston said the building houses many history-rich items donated by locals, and he is among members more than happy to chat about the collection and share the stories behind the pieces it includes.

“We’ve done a lot more inside. We’ve got more displayed items and the wider community are actually donating a lot more items,” Johnston said.

“Our open day is just to help bring that awareness of what we’re doing.

“This is about service from the past to the present, and about recognising those who represented the community and helped to build the nation.”

The event takes place from 11am this Saturday 18 July with all welcome.