THE Kilmore Wallan RSL Sub-Branch is facing a worrying time in its history due to a lack of younger members, leaving the group at risk of being forced to close its doors.
The Sub-Branch says without new younger members, closing the door would mean that all veterans in the area may have to face trips to Bendigo or Melbourne to deal with advocates in the event they need support from the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA).
President Rod Dally said the advocacy was important to the Sub-Branch but needed younger members to carry the Sub-Branch forward.
“We have many old, experienced heads in our Sub-Branch, but lack enough young, inexperienced or experienced heads,” he said.
“We know there’s a lot of veterans in this area. Veterans are anyone, who have worn the uniform for Australia more than a day.
“Advocates are important. We have a number of advocates from level one to level four and three in training here at the Sub-Branch every second Monday. It’s quite astounding the number of claims they process with a good success rate. It’s a very important part of the Sub-Branch, but the Sub-Branch is very important to advocacy. Without the administrative roles filled, we will not have a Sub-Branch and therefore no advocates.
“We’re trying to get the message out, we need more people. They might not be able to turn up to every meeting. We understand everybody has family and personal commitments. We will accommodate those commitments.
“When veterans finally do need support to deal with DVA, that is when they’ll need advocates. If the Sub-Branch is not here the advocates will not be here locally.
We urgently need members that can carry this Sub-Branch forward. We fill a need in the care of veterans and their families both serving and after their military service.”
The Sub-Branch is looking for more members to join, bringing fresh faces and fresh ideas. The increase in membership provides an opportunity to interact with and support veterans, family members and associates within the Kilmore Wallan area.
The Sub-Branch plays a huge role in the community, such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services in our townships. Members are often requested to visit local schools and community groups to speak about Australian military history.
“We are here to help veterans and their families. Without us, no-one will be around Kilmore or Wallan to help,” Mr Dally said.
Membership to join the Sub-Branch is just $30 per year. The Sub-Branch members said it is not necessarily looking for the money – it wants and needs more people, especially younger veterans, who can eventually take on necessary support roles.
The Sub-Branch provides the veteran’s advocacy. An advocate supports veterans who have been impacted by their service and may be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
“Without advocacy, many veterans don’t understand their entitlements including compensation and it can be extremely difficult to represent yourself to DVA. There is no financial input from veterans required. Our advocates are all volunteers,” Mr Dally said.
“As the Vietnam Vets took over the RSL, we need the likes of the Iraq/Afghanistan Vets or the Peacemakers to take over from us now. We are getting too old and we do not want to see veterans’ entitlements go unknown.
“The badge sale money goes strictly to veterans in need, whether that be for food, rent, electricity or whatever hardship they may be experiencing.
“We want to tell people that we are here, if you need us, we are here to help.”
The Sub-Branch holds meetings at the Kilmore Soldiers Memorial Hall on the last Thursday of each month. There is Coffee Club every Wednesday for a catchup and a cuppa between 10am and noon. They chat about anything and have a good laugh. The club says it is a very important part of the social side of the Sub-Branch.
Written by Michael Thompson and Cooper O’Brien
