2016 had a steep learning curve for Carole in the Ladies Auxiliary, Tracey as the Secretary/Treasurer, and myself. None of us had worked within the RSL before. We managed with the help of our committee and the steady hand of Mrs Helen Cook, former Secretary and previous Treasurer, and advice from Mr Kerry Cook and Mr Terry Jonson CSC. I am indebted to them all.
Anzac Day had a large turnout, Possibly due to our Guest Speaker, MR Dusty Miller DFM. This year we recorded the ceremony with a sound camera and still shots. This event was well advertised posted on Facebook.
Attendance thinned out at our monthly meetings. When the RSVPs were less than six the meetings were cancelled.
With no one to produce the newsletter, we moved information to our web page. Thanks to Tracey. Unfortunately, there were some of our members who did not have access to computers and missed out, once this was addressed at the meeting in June, REV Peter Hall volunteered to copy and deliver, Paper newsletters to these members. My thanks to Peter for stepping forward.
Dusty Miller’s funeral was catered for 100, at short notice. The Auxiliary did a great job when 200 attended.
The Yandina Street Fair was a good community venue for communicating with the local population, visitors and raised fund. We had a large stall full of memorabilia which sold well. The Anzac Bear raffle was a sellout. The helium balloons were popular but may have been a problem with light aircraft.
The Fashion Parade was a moderate success, with our ladies modelling.
The Car Boot Sale was not well-attended.
The Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings was a mammoth effort, and was the biggest single day revenue earner for the year. Thanks to all who made this day a success.
Remembrance Day attendance was small as expected. There was a problem with the notice not being printed in the RSL News. This led some of our members to think our service was cancelled. There will need to be something extraordinary for us not to remember the fallen and returned, and their families.
I owe a great debt to Carole and her band of volunteers, too many to mention. You know who you are.
You are keeping the good name of our RSL alive, and assisting to raise funds in order to continue our good work.
Unfortunately, we saw the passing this year, of 1569458 Robert “Jack” Pegg, 1501669 Richard Ashton, 1501741 William “Dusty” Miller and 1018236 Sydney Foster this year. Sydney passed in April but was not reported until Christmas. These members passed with a delayed reporting to the RSL. I appreciate that there are a lot of things to do at the time of passing and it is a time of grief. If the RSL is to conduct a Poppy Service to honour and say farewell to our member with the family’s consent. It will take a little time.
If you hear of such a situation, please advise myself, or the secretary. We will then notify the appropriate people. Thank you.
At the end of the year, we are financially stable due to the Hall rentals and the volunteer collections at the various activities mentioned. Our thanks to The Nambour Hospital, Eumundi markets, Yandina IGA and Bunnings Noosa, for allowing us to pitch our tents and sell our wares.
I cannot close this report without thanking the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) committee, for their help, advice and guidance over the year. Especially the font of information Mrs Kath Barry the Secretary.
David Buckley
President Yandina Eumundi RSL
Dated 10 January 2017
