Committee Meeting Feedback

---- Our next special dinner night will be 17 November 23 - a Menu will be released soon. ----

Your Management Committee meets monthly and last met on 16 October 23. Here are some details on key activities: 

Remembrance Day

At that meeting, some time was spent planning Remembrance Day commemorative activities that are well underway given that 11 November is just around the corner (20 days). It's on a Saturday this year, so we're expecting a larger turn-out than usual.

There is still a lot to do on the day but we will be ensuring we have everything organised and ready to roll at a Committee Meeting on 6 November.

We have a poster to advertise the commemorative service that will be distributed to commercial premises around Tanunda. If you'd like to display a copy at your club or workplace, you may download and print a copy here. You could also email it to your friends.

We hope to see as many of our members there on the day. 

Licensed Clubs Supervision Requirement

The Committee received advice from the SA Government Consumer and Business Affairs department that licensed premises now need to have an "Approved Committee Member" to supervise bar operations. This approved person needs to wear a badge while our bar is open.

We are making arrangements for several members to be approved.

Veteran's Film Festival Donation Request

We received a request for donation from the above organisation and the committee has approved a $100 donation. As our sub-branch relies on fundraising through sausage sizzles, memorabilia sales, and the generosity of our local supporters, we endeavour to return that support within our community, however, on this occasion, the committee believes that the Veteran's Film Festival is a worthwhile project to support.

Annual Subscription Fees

The RSLSA/NT State Office advised us that with effect from 1 January 24 the subscription fees will increase to $50 from $40. We have paid a capitation fee to RSLSA/NT of $30 retaining $10 within our sub-branch for every membership subscription. From next year, our capitation fee will not increase meaning that for every $50 a member pays, we will retain $20.

Subscriptions are due on 1 January 2024 but may be paid early.

Seaton Park RSL Visit

Seaton Park President, Mr Peter Butt has emailed us asking if a team from their sub-branch could visit us on a Saturday or Sunday during January. We have responded to Mr Butt that we would be delighted for them to visit and will advise all members of the date on which we agree for them to visit when finalised.

We usually have no formal activities at The Hut during January, but will make an exception for this visit. 

Committee Meeting Feedback

---- Veterans Health Week Event - Port Parham 29 SEP 23 ----At our Management Committee meeting on Monday, 11 September 23 we discussed numerous routine matters of little interest to members and a few issues that may be of interest. Details follow:

Our new Honour Board Wall

We're delighted to say that after years of wishful thinking, the Honour Board Wall has been completed to stage one. 

This was a long-term wish of President Trevor Klose and I know he's delighted to see it eventually come true during his presidency. It's the most significant change to the Hut since the kitchen revamp several years ago. Stage two promises to be even more exciting.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Veteran's Affairs via its "Saluting their Service" program and with a small amount of our own funding, we've been able to get stage one completed.

Liddy Building has done an exceptional job constructing this wall for us. The brickwork on the bottom looks amazing and when you look through the door in the middle, in the background is our cross on which we focus during our ode. There is some work to do on the background wall and in the two boxes shown as black backgrounds, we'll have the names of our fallen heroes.

At the rear of the wall are some open spaces in which we intend to build storage spaces.

When next you visit, take a good look at our Honour Board Wall and tell us what you think. We'd love to hear from you.

Veterans Health Week - Port Parham

The Committee has arranged for a Veterans Health Week crabbing and Mental Wellness event on 29 September 23. Everyone on our mailing list would have received an invitation. If you didn't and you'd like one, please email us, but be fast, there are limited spaces.

Donation to Legacy

In keeping with our policy to give back to our community who so generously give to us, the Committee has approved for a $250 donation to Legacy Barossa-Light in support of their recent Legacy Week fundraising campaign. The money goes towards supporting veterans families.

Flooring Replacement

Funds have been approved to replace the linoleum flooring between the main hall and the kitchen which is in a sorry state of repair. That will be replaced by Carpet Court on 10-11 October 23.

Fathers' Day Raffle

Thanks largely to Committee members Jan and Denis Tompkins, our raffle was a huge success. It exceeded all expectations and reflected on the quality of the prizes on offer. All prizes were donated by local businesses.

Barossa Regional Gallery Meetings

Meetings between our Executive Committee members and staff at the Gallery are continuing with a view to having a permanent display of ADF memorabilia placed there on our behalf.

Grant for Audio System

A grant application has been submitted to Mr Tony Pasin MP for the purchase of an audio system we can use in-house and also at the Tanunda Memorial Garden on our two commemorative days annually.

Remembrance Day Planning

Remembrance Day planning has commenced and Charmane Klose is seeking volunteers to staff our memorabilia sales kiosk outside Foodland Tanunda on 8-9 November respectively. If you would like to help out, please let us know.

Our Honour Board Wall - A Work in Progress

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome you don't need to be an ADF service member or a veteran ---- I just had to tell you about our new Honour Board Wall.

We applied to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) under their 'Saluting their Service' grants offering and were granted sufficient to begin work on our new Honour Board wall.

We've been waiting for months to get started because construction trades are so busy, our little job had to wait.

However, Liddy Building, a Barossa-based company gave us a quote and this week work began. These guys really know their stuff.

The image shows the first stage of construction.

Later, electrical work will be completed - lighting to light up our honour boards that go in the recessed parts, and we'll transfer the names of our veterans from all wars into their new display space.

Through the doorway we will see our lighted cross towards which we look when stating our RSL Ode: "They grow not old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them. Lest we forget."

Our Hut was transferred to its current location at the Tanunda Recreation Park in 1946 and hopefully will be here for many years to come.

We'll post more images when the Honour Board is completed.

Veterans Health Week

---- The next Committee Meeting is on Monday, 11 Sep 23 ----Every year we hold a Veterans Health Week in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs who fund our activity.

Every year there is a different theme. As you can see on the image at left, the theme this year is "Mental Wellness Matters." It's all about mental health, which is an important matter for veterans, many who experience Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the many horrors they experienced during their service.

Those of us who have never experienced combat will never understand how they feel, but we are here to help and that is what these type events are for. To help the healing process and to let our fellow veterans know that we are here for them. They aren't forgotten.

Your committee is working on an activity for this year and the event will occur on 29 September 23, an earlier alternative date than that shown on the image.

Bookmark this space and we'll let you know all the details about what we have planned in the next week or two.

Committee Meeting Feedback

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ----

Your committee had its most recent meeting on 14 August and some of the highlights are as follows:

Veterans' Health Week is being planned to be held on or about 29 September 23. The theme this year is mental health. We'll provide more details about the exact timing and content as we get nearer to the date.

Work on the Cannon Cover is progressing well with the recent preparation of the ground on which our cannon will stand. The structure will be built soon and we can replace the cannon juxtaposed with the existing shed which will ensure it is more visible to the public.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held at The Clubhouse, MacDonnell Street, Tanunda at 11 am, Sunday, 26 November 23. This year, the meeting will be held before our traditional dinner. We anticipate some significant changes in the committee and ask that you consider nominating for one or more of the positions which will all become vacant at the AGM. Nomination forms will be distributed to all members well before the meeting. 

Arrangements are being made with the Barossa Council to install a permanent RSL display at the Barossa Regional Gallery. This will increase awareness of our sub-branch and also the need for everyone to remember our fallen heroes.

The Father's Day Raffle is ongoing and tickets are available. You can see the array of excellent prizes here. Don't miss out, get your tickets before they run out. 

We are working on two Government Grants that are available that will benefit our club should we be successful in our endeavours. During the past few years we've been successful in obtaining substantial funding through the Department of Veterans Affairs, Barossa Council, and SA Veterans.

The next committee meeting is on Monday, 11 September 23. If there is something you'd like your committee to consider, please let one of the committee members know or email Secretary, Dawn Klose.

 

Graphic designed by sentavio / Freepik

Happy Hour Menu for 4 August

---- THIS MEAL HAS BEEN FULLY BOOKED ---- Happy hour on 4 August 23 promises to be another fantastic affair with this special duck/canneloni menu.

If you like duck or canneloni, a vegetarian meal, you'd better RSVP to David Babbage soon, because there are only 48 places and these meals are going like free beer.

All members will have been notified by email, but just in case you missed out or don't read your email, here it is on our handy internet site.

I've already sent my RSVP and I look forward to seeing you at the Hut on 4th.

Legacy SA Seeks Our Support

The secretary has received an email from Legacy SA seeking support during its annual "Legacy Week" fundraising week from 27 August to 2 September 2023.

The following areas of support have been requested:

1. Attending the Legacy Week Launch Gala Concert 2023 https://www.adelaidelegacy.org.au/Event/legacy-week-launch-gala-concert
   
   
2. Fundraising at your workplace.  A dedicated QR code and posters will be provided for your workplace so you can keep track of your donations and collection buckets are also available.  You can also sell Legacy branded Merchandise – for more information please email tho@legacysa.org.au
   
   
3. Assisting our Legatees by volunteering at one of our locations around South Australia https://www.adelaidelegacy.org.au/Appeal/legacy-week-appeal

If you are interested in supporting Legacy in any of the above ways, please contact our committee member Robin Henry who is a Legacy Legatee for Barossa-Light. You can find his contact details under the Contact tab.

If you missed the Super Soup Night, don't miss this ...

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ---- Our lamb shanks meal on 7 July being produced by committee member Erica Babbage. Here's the menu: (click on it to load it at larger scale)

We look forward to seeing you there.

Mitre 10 Sausage Sizzle

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ---- Our sausage sizzle is well underway at Mitre 10 thanks to Barossa Fresh which donates sausages, Mitre10 which provides the barbecue, gas and the space to work in, and of course the RSL members who volunteer three times per year to operate the sizzle.

Of course there is always work to do beforehand and afterwards and volunteers do that too.

Craig, Andrew, Christine and Clive

There are several shifts, but at left is the first shift all setup and ready to begin selling sausages, soft drink, and egg and bacon rolls. (Doesn't that make your mouth water?)

As a not-for-profit organization, Tanunda RSL runs three sausage sizzles annually and two memorabilia sales days shortly before ANZAC and Remembrance Days.

If you visited the sausage sizzle and bought one of our products, please provide feedback as we are always looking to improve what we are doing.

Did you miss our super soup night?

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm with meals on the first Friday of a month. Everyone is welcome ---- The super soup night on Friday, 2 June was one of the best attended, most enjoyable nights we've had for a long time after months (years?) of interruptions due to COVID lockouts and long-term construction and landscaping projects within the Tanunda Recreation Park.

Last Friday night made us feel as though we had put all that behind us and are now back to normal.

Our table setting at the Hut

Over 40 people attended and had options of four soups: pumpkin, mushroom, chicken noodle, or potato, bacon, and leek. These were accompanied by soft, tasty white bread rolls and of course a sweet consisting of apple crumble and custard or cream. Nobody was heard to say they didn't like the soup or the apple crumble.

As usual, a range of beverages was available at happy hour prices.

Making our night even more special were the presentation of cheques to three local organisations that provide services to us during ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorative events, and a couple of poems by our in-house bush poet, Maurie O'Brien who has presented on several occasions.

Maurie has a collection of 31 poems titled, "ANZAC Poems and Other Sprigs of Wattle" that is available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback versions. It's well worth a look if you're interested in poetry or military history.

On Friday evenings when the Hut is open and we aren't having a meal, we have a variety of snacks available, happy hour beverage prices including tea and coffee and plenty of friendly chat. If you live in the area or are passing through, please do come and join us after 5 pm. 

ANZAC Day 2023 - An Enormous Success

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ----

ANZAC Day at Tanunda was another enormous success.

Outside the Hut

An estimated 1,500-2,000 people attended Tanunda RSL's commemorative dawn service at the Tanunda Memorial Gardens yesterday. Both President, Trevor Klose and member Patsy Biscoe, who had provided entertainment to troops during the Vietnam war, reminded us that this year is the 50th Anniversary of the Australian engagement in South Vietnam. 

The Australian Government plans a commemorative year of dedicated events for this anniversary.

Serving Army chaplain Father Mark Sexton led the commemorative services as he has for many years.

More than 165 people joined us at our Hut after the service for a Gunfire Breakfast we provided with the support of the Barossa Valley Rotary Club volunteers who did an excellent job yet again preparing and distributing food and refreshments.

As we marched along Murray Street to the Soldiers' Memorial Hall in Basedow Road, hundreds of people lined the street to watch and acknowledge us by clapping. It's very encouraging to see so many people turn out for ANZAC Day here, and across Australia.

Some people return every ANZAC and Remembrance Day, we remember their faces; some visit our Friday evening happy hours, and others were visitors to the Barossa Valley who took time to join us. Visitors like Lyndie and Gordon Minett from Rosewood, Queensland. Whoever they are, we are always happy to welcome them to our small club.

Lyndie and Gordon Minett

Behind the scenes, a lot of organization goes into organizing our commemorative days. Our Tanunda RSL management committee volunteers work for several months planning, ordering memorabilia, and liaising with all of those involved to ensure things run smoothly on the day.

We appreciate very much all those who help us organize, plan and run our commemorative days. There are too many to list here, but they know who they are, and they know they are appreciated.

A couple of additional photos of the occasion are shown below.

Join us for ANZAC Day 2023

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ---- 

ANZAC Day is with us again as we commemorate the sacrifice made by many men and women in our services during various wars in which our country has been engaged.

Tanunda RSL arranges commemorative events and the first event, a Dawn Service conducted by Father Mark Sexton, begins at 6:15 am sharp at the Tanunda Memorial Gardens followed by a Gunfire Breakfast^ at the RSL Hut, Tanunda Recreation Park, Bilyara Road, Tanunda. 

At 10:30 am we have a muster outside the Tanunda Post Office, Murray Street for those who are marching. At 10:40 am we march off north along Murray Street and right wheel into Basedow Road to the Barossa Regional Gallery where the commemorative service is conducted by Father Mark Sexton.

A light lunch^ will be offered at the RSL Hut from 12:15 pm. Refreshments are available at a reasonable price. 

We look forward to having you join us.

^ - A folded note donation will be appreciated for both the Gunfire Breakfast and Lunch.

Happy Hour Barbecue Night

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ---- 

On Friday 14th April, our next Happy Hour, we will be having a barbecue.

The pool table is available too for anyone who wishes to play pool. Committee member, Robin Henry, will run a pool competition if sufficient members are interested. Robin will get your details on the night and the competition will be a "last player standing" deal. You could win a prize. 

So, get yourself down to the Tanunda Hotel and practise your pool skills, every bit helps.

Secretary Dawn has asked that if you intend to join us, RSVP by 12 April so we can plan our catering to ensure nobody misses out.

We look forward to your joining us for a great Happy Hour.

Highlights from Committee Meeting 13 Feb 23

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on first Friday of month ---- 

We had an interesting meeting last night and reviewed some of our standard operating procedures to improve performance and take into account our new committee members. Exciting times!

Here's a bird's eye view of some of the things we have planned:

1. We are establishing small sub-committee teams to manage such things as catering, events, purchase and stock control of memorabilia, bar management, and more
2. We're considering running a survey to find out whether our members would like us to do something different or better
3. Committee members are running a "Working Bee" on Friday, 24 Feb 23 to clean up around the hut and maybe paint it. What colour would you like to see?
4. An advert and associated two-fold pamphlet is planned for distribution through the Tanunda Tourist Centre and other venues
5. 18-19 April will be our Memorabilia sales days with our kiosk outside Foodland Tanunda
6. 25 March is our first scheduled Sausage Sizzle at Mitre 10, Nuriootpa
7. Our "The Bugle" newsletter will get back on track and issued quarterly with posted copies to members without internet and email access
8. A recruitment drive is in order and we're keen to let people know where we are, how to find us and when we are open (can you help us with this? Spread the message.)
9. The Department of Veterans Affairs has given us a $10,000 grant to build an Honour Board Memorial within The Hut for which we are most appreciative. This is the third such DVA grant we have benefited from in the last three years
10. Our cannon has been reconditioned and we are determining where it can best be situated given the ongoing construction and landscaping activities within the Tanunda Recreation Park. At present it's waiting silently in a nearby shed

Any help you can give us by volunteering at any time will be gratefully accepted. 

If you are reading this and you're not a member, you can visit us any Friday evening for our Happy Hour which usually lasts longer than an hour, and meet our members. 

You don't need to be a serving or military veteran to join. Find out more here.

Management Committee Meeting

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on the first Friday of the month ---- 

The Management Committee consisting of 11 members, two of whom were newly elected at our 2022 Annual General Meeting in November, will meet on Monday, 13th February 23 for the first time this year.

Your committee meets every second month to discuss numerous issues relating to the efficient and effective running of the Club.

At this meeting, one of the key agenda items is preparing for ANZAC Day 23. Although it's a one-day event, preparing for it and similarly Remembrance Day takes a lot of work and requires a lengthy lead time.

We also plan and carry out two major fundraising activities at pop-up kiosks outside Foodland Tanunda preceding ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day and three sausage sizzles at Mitre 10, Nuriootpa.

During 2022 we held two highly successful Fashion Parades in conjunction with Lambert Estate and Dressed4Success.

Everyone on the committee is a volunteer, we have no paid staff and do not receive any financial assistance to run the club, our expenses are all covered by donations as we are a not-for-profit organisation. Fortunately, other members who are not on the committee assist us with fundraising and commemorative activities. 

If you are interested in volunteering for any of our activities, please contact us.

The names of our committee members may be found here.

What are You Doing on Friday 3 February?

The first Happy Hour for 2023 begins at 5 pm next Friday. 

You'll have a chance to catch up with your fellow members whom you may not have seen since early December. 

You'll have a lot to chat about as you share a few Christmas - New Year stories and enjoy a cool refreshment - or a cup of coffee, and a few snacks.

We hope to see you there.

3 February 2023: Our Next Happy Hour!

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on the first Friday of the month ---- 

Our sub-branch will be taking a break until 3 February 2023 when we will open for our Friday night Happy Hour at 5 pm with a meal available.

Members of the management committee will still be available if you need to contact us urgently. If you can't find one of us, please try another. We're here to help if you need us.

You'll see from the previous post that there is a couple of new members in the Management Committee and a new treasurer.

We hope you have an enjoyable, happy and safe Christmas-New Year break and look forward to seeing you back at The Hut in the new year.

New 'Veterans' Catalogue' of Services

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on the first Friday of month but activities have been suspended until further notice due to construction works ---- 

The RSL in conjunction with Servulink has created a Veterans' Catalogue to help veterans and their families locate services available from one handy location.

With the increasing number of organisations providing a wide range of services for veterans, it's very timely that this app has been produced as it will reduce the time spent searching for the help you want.

You can read all about the Veterans' Catalogue and download the application by clicking here or from the link in the right-hand column. 

A Successful Remembrance Day Appeal

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Meals on first Friday of month ---- Once again the generosity of our fellow Barossans and some visitors came to light during our Remembrance Day Appeal we held outside Foodland Tanunda.

Two lovely ladies agreed to pose

For those of us who volunteered at the memorabilia tables, it was a wintery experience as the front of Foodland is like a wind tunnel. But being the devoted and hardy souls we are, we beavered on and made a healthy amount for our sub-branch on behalf of those who serve and have served in the Australian Defence Force, their families, and our community.

We handed out 500 or more free poppies to young and old to wear on Friday, 11 November 22 or as often as they wish. I believe more will be available at the Tanunda Memorial Gardens where we hope we'll see you at 10:15 am for a 10:30 am commencement.

We were delighted to hear some parents telling their youngsters about the RSL and military and why we hold Remembrance Day.

As always, we are most grateful for the ongoing support we receive from our community.

As an afterthought, if you didn't get that badge, cap, mug or something from our memorabilia collection you really wanted, if you click on Military Shop link in the right hand column, you can visit their site to check out the vast array of militaria available.

1 July - Happy Hour with Meal

Stock Photo

On Friday 1 July 22, being the first Friday of the month, a meal will be available first-come, first-served.

Get in early. Don't miss out.

Meals are most often sourced from the Tanunda Lutheran Home and we provide you with two courses, a main meal and a sweet for $10. 

You can't do much better than that.

We'll have our wood fire burning too, so The Hut will be as comfortable as ever with good company, good food, and drinks of your choice. 

Come join us!