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 October 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.

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.

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. 

Visiting the Goolwa RSL Sub-Branch

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ----When Robin Henry visited Goolwa recently, he had no idea where the Goolwa RSL Sub-Branch was located or even if it existed. However, during a walk last Sunday, he and his wife Christina came across the club which, much to their surprise, was open. On a Sunday!

Goolwa RSL Main Hall

Later that day members were apparently attending to watch a football match, tuck into some pies, and perhaps have a liquid refreshment or two. One member was pulling on the pullover of his preferred football team.

The RSL occupies a beautiful heritage building that was once a horse stable. Inside it is well decked out with themic displays of memorabilia from the four main wars. I understand that memorabilia is being collected for the Iraq, Afghanistan wars.

As you can see in the image at right, the walls are covered with photos, plaques, and even a frame containing details of the RSL Objects which I thought was a good idea - reminding us of what the RSL is about.

It's a very pleasant, well-laid out club that is a credit to all those who have contributed to its establishment and interior decorating.

If you're visiting Goolwa, whether as an RSL member or as a visitor, do drop in. You'll be most welcome and see some excellent memorabilia including the last Australian flag displayed in Vietnam.

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.

Get your Memorabilia - 18-19 April 23!

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

Image credit: Militaryshop.com.au

Before ANZAC and Remembrance Days each year, we hold a kiosk outside Foodland Tanunda where we have an extensive range of fantastic memorabilia available for sale.

There is a range of prices from $3 and items include pens, badges, water and other drink bottles and mugs, stubby holders, poppy umbrellas, baseball caps, wrist bands, poppy hold-all bags, and much more.

We update and renew our memorabilia collection twice annually, so there's always something new, novel, and interesting for sale. It's a gold mine for collectors of militaria.

We buy our memorabilia from the Military Shop, Australia's premier supplier of all things military and their catalogue for 2023 may be viewed here. If we don't have what you want, the Military Shop will undoubtedly have it. Anything you buy after clicking the two links above will accrue a commission for Tanunda RSL. 

If you are in the area on Tuesday, 18th, or Wednesday 19th April, please view our display and have a chat with our volunteers. We'd love to meet you. 

We're always happy to have new members too, so if you're interested in supporting Tanunda RSL, please ask one of our volunteers about membership which is open to everyone 18 years or older.

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.

The Bugle has Landed

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

The March issue of Tanunda RSL's newsletter, "The Bugle" is now available and has a number of interesting stories under the following headings:

The Bugle Contents

You will find a copy you can read online or download by heading to the Newsletters link on the tab above.

Your feedback about The Bugle, including the content coverage, would be appreciated - use the comment box below.

Are there some topics you'd like the editor to cover?

Would you like to send us a short article for the next issue in June?

Breaking News - As they Say in the Media

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

The situation regarding entry to the Tanunda Recreation Park and thus the Hut has changed. You can now enter through the new entrance near the playground in Bilyara Road.

Apparently the bitumenisation has been completed.

Hooray! We're now listed on Google Maps

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

Now we are on Google Maps more people may find us. Feedback suggested that even some locals didn't know where our Hut is so we decided to do something about that. 

When we checked Google Maps, the Tanunda Recreation Park toilet, the show hall, playground, and the football club were flagged on the Tanunda map, but absolutely nothing appeared indicating our beloved Hut.  It was just a grey shape after one zoomed in on the map but if you didn't know what it was, it remained just a grey shape.

After contacting Google Maps administration several times we managed to get both the Hut flagged and the new entrance off Bilyara Road as previously our address was shown often on Park Street because it's parallel with it.

Google still has some updating to do, but you can find our location here marked as 18.

Now that you know exactly where we are, please come visit us on Friday evenings.

 

Fair Treatment for Special Forces Soldiers

Click image to increase size.

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.

The Hut Closed Good Friday

The Hut will be closed on Friday, 15 April 22, for the Easter long weekend.

We hope you have a pleasant and safe weekend and look forward to seeing you at the Hut on Friday, 22 April 22, the day after our first ever Fashion Parade at Lambert's Winery, and of course the weekend of ANZAC Day on the following Monday.

Next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, several volunteers will be selling memorabilia outside Foodland, Tanunda. Don't forget to say hello and update or add to your collection if you are nearby.

Next week promises to be a busy week for our colleagues and the many others who support the RSL.

The Hut is Open!

Happy Hour is back on track following our most recent lockdown.

Every Friday we open for Happy Hour and on alternative Fridays we have a two-course meal for $10 first-come, first-served.

We call the meal a "Mystery Meal" because we never know until the evening what it will consist of. 

Our meals come from the Tanunda Lutheran Home kitchen and the good news is that there is always something nice to eat. Nobody ever complains!

A range of beverages is available at very good prices, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

You could be part of this happy group and we look forward to you joining us soon. 

Attendees will be expected to comply with whatever government COVID-19 requirements are in force at the time.

Management Committee