1949 to 1958
Attendance at the meetings of the Returned Sailors’, Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia peaked in 1949 with, on average, more than one-third of the total membership attending, but later in this decade this dropped to around one-fifth.
Perhaps this decrease reflected that the returned service men from the 1939-45 war were becoming involved in other community activities and 1958 was 40 years after the end of World War I.
Following the decision to donate to Legacy the proceeds of the annual Diggers Golf Day, held at Cobram-Barooga Golf Links, the days were also referred to as Legacy golf days.
It required an army of workers to organise the draw for large numbers of golfers (from 111 in 1949, to 180 in 1954) requiring the first group to tee off about 6.30 am.
Then there were the liquid refreshments, food and ancillary fundraisers. These included two-up, poker machines (borrowed and transported on a trailer) and raffles. But most importantly during this decade more than £2600 was raised for Legacy.
The Cobram Bowling Club made its greens available each year, usually around March, for the Diggers Bowls Day. Up to 28 teams of triples competed and, with the bar staff rostered on until 9.30 pm, it seemed there was plenty of socialising as well. Again a good fundraiser for RSSAILA Welfare funds.
The Centenary Jubilee Train was in Cobram on Anzac Day 1951. Acknowledging the 1851 formation of the Colony of Victoria, the carriages were set up as a mobile museum. In addition to providing the opportunity for more than 2000 people to visit the train and 1800 to attend a concert, it provided 120 ex-servicemen to march on Anzac Day.
Each year there was a different plan in the search for a permanent home and club rooms. Eventually, in March 1958, arrangements were finalised to buy (for £2000) the building and property owned by the Citizens and Settlers Club in Main St.
The 1914-18 Diggers handed over £1600 in cash and bonds towards the cost. The clubrooms were officially opened on June 6, 1958, by two of World War I Diggers – MD O’Dwyer and SO Gregory. To the best of our knowledge, this site is now occupied by the Telstra automatic exchange.
The beginning and end of this period were significant for the question of a war memorial for Cobram.
Anzac Day 1949 was the official dedication of the Hay memorial avenue created to honour the World War II servicemen who paid the supreme sacrifice.
While privately funded by H D Hay, the opening (performed by the J McEwen MHR) was jointly organised by the RSSAILA and the Progress Association.
Four of the men were further honoured at the Consolidated School in 1953 with the naming of the Sports Houses (Parker) Goodman, (Ian) Jordan, (Ken) Rose and (Harold) Shadforth. These House names continue to be used at the Cobram Secondary College.
Despite a number of public meetings called to consider a memorial, it was on Anzac Day 1958 that the newly-formed Apex Club handed the clock tower to the Shire as “a memorial to the men and women of the district who had paid the supreme sacrifice in two world wars”.
Evidence of the increasing community support for the Anzac and Poppy Appeals was the reports in the Minute books, showing larger numbers of tokens obtained from Melbourne, while the commemoration services were also well supported.
Even though the Anzac service changed between morning and afternoon, in 1956 it was reported that “the Shire Hall was not large enough for the crowd”.
In March 1954, M D O’Dwyer was presented with his well-deserved certificate of life membership of the league.
In addition to fundraising for its own charities, the RSSAILA held events to support their “Queen” entrant to raise funds for the hospital appeal.
The women's auxiliary remained active on the fundraising front and social events included hosting a regional get-together for auxiliary members in 1951 and entertaining the wives of the Soldier Settlers. In turn they were treated to social outings by way of thanks.
Social activities throughout this time included ‘smoke nights’, annual reunions and balls – including one financial disaster when the 1956 ball was “dry”. And families were not forgotten, with family Christmas get-togethers being held in December at the Drill hall, featuring entertainment for the children as well as something for the adults.
Of course throughout this period (1949 to 1958) Australian troops served in Korea, The Cold War was being played out, and 18-year-old men were undertaking their compulsory National Service and joining the Citizens Military Force.
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