A CENTURY of Returned Services League history in Kilmore and Wallan was celebrated at a luncheon at Kilmore Memorial Hall on May 2.
The Kilmore Wallan RSL sub-branch celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, and guests at the lunch included Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell, Mitchell Shire Council deputy mayor Nathan Clark, RSL Victoria president Rob Webster, vice-president Des Callaghan and chief executive Jamie Twidale were in Kilmore to mark the occasion.
Kilmore Wallan RSL commemorations officer Peter Craker said the luncheon had been ‘a really good afternoon’.
“We had about 75 members of the sub-branch come along, and the hall was decorated by the social committee and it was catered for by one of the local catering companies,” he said.
“To get the president, the vice-president and the CEO of RSL Victoria was great, and they sent us a congratulatory letter afterwards saying what a wonderful little club we are.”
Mr Craker gave a speech about the history of the sub-branch, including the construction of Kilmore Memorial Hall in 1963.
“The hall was built using mainly money that was given by donation. Farmers allocated some sheep and they used the sale of that wool to gather £12,000 because the hall only cost £26,700,” he said.
During the luncheon sub-branch president Rod Dally presented certificates to four past presidents who were in attendance.
Appeals officers Anne and Mike Robotham were also honoured after raising more than $50,000 during this year’s Anzac Appeal.
“This year between Kilmore and Wallan we raised just over $50,000, which was an absolute record, because the last two years that we had it we raised $32,000,” Mr Craker said.
“We’re finally coming into the modern era, so we had EFTPOS machines in there, which really helped us out because a lot of people don’t carry cash.
“We got quite a good helping hand from that. A lot of people don’t even buy a badge, they just want to contribute.”
Secretary Sue Meldrum spent two years researching the history of the Kilmore Wallan RSL and produced a booklet entitled 100 Years of History: The Kilmore-Wallan RSL Sub-branch.
The booklet details the history of the club, including a complete list of past presidents and office bearers.
