100 Years of RSL - down through the decades

1989 to 1998

Much of this decade saw members working on the community project for the creation of the Cobram War Memorial — but as usual, it was not a speedy process. It started with the initial suggestion in 1981 (due to the observed disrepair of the 1958 clock tower) and was followed by consideration of moving the gun from Barooga Lions Park, a public meeting in 1993, council approval of plans in 1994, fundraising, and turning of the first sod and consecration of the ground on VP Day (August 15) 1995. Construction commenced in June 1996 and the memorial was dedicated on February 19, 1997 in the presence of World War I digger Jack Greenwood. Later that year, the plaques from the clock tower were moved to the outside wall of the Sub-Branch club rooms, which was what the World War I diggers had wanted back in the 1920s. There were also a couple more investigations about repairing or replacing the plaques in the Hay Memorial Avenue — but nothing happened.

Bingo continued to be a steady source of income for the Sub-Branch, despite having more reviews about its viability than John Farnham has had final tours. But every month there were calls for more helpers for the weekly sessions.

The Sub-Branch was in a sound financial position — and wouldn’t we all like the 1993 investment interest rates of five to six per cent!

After some early discussions in 1994 about incorporating Barooga into the Sub-Branch name, finally in 1998 the wheels were set in motion — but it still took six months from the agreement at a Sub-Branch meeting until approval was received from RSL Victoria in August 1998 for us to be known as Cobram Barooga RSL Sub-Branch.

Anzac Day services continued to be well attended, with numbers boosted in 1990 by a contingent from the HMAS Gawler Association and in 1995 by members of HMAS Kiama Association. The year 1995 (the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II) also saw the first dawn service conducted in Lions Park Barooga, and the start of a long relationship with Sporties, who provided the gunfire breakfast (and continue to do so).

This was also the year when there were some early offers of support, from Sporties, for the Sub-Branch — perhaps use of a room for meetings. This came as there continued to be a heavy roster of maintenance on the club rooms in Station St.

During this decade, the actions of the Australian Defence Forces during World War II were formally recognised by our allies, and so in 1989 Alex Creswick received a medal from Russia, in 1991 Harry Ballard received a medal from the Greek Government regarding the Battle of Crete and in 1994 Charlie Foster received the Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary medal.

Locally, the Australian Government created the Civilian Service Medal 1939-1945 to be awarded in recognition of volunteers’ efforts during World War II, and in 1998 Marjorie Simpson received her medal for services as a member of the Red Cross.

Within the Sub-Branch, RSL national life memberships were awarded to C H (Harry) Morton (1997) and Charlie Foster (1998).

Social activities continued with snooker and bowls — in particular Diggers Bowls Day, Edinburgh Shield and sections of State 4s and Triples; however, the RSL involvement with the Legacy Golf and Bowls Day declined and the event lapsed during this period.

And, of course, the communities of Cobram and Barooga continued to generously support the RSL welfare work with donations to the Anzac and Poppy appeals. (Reading about the location of the stalls provided a history of the changes in supermarkets in Cobram.)

There were two changes to membership eligibility during this decade: the first, in 1994, relating to all who served in uniform for a minimum of six months; and perhaps even more significant was the 1997 RSL National Conference decision (some five years in the making) approving the acceptance of relatives of RSL-eligible members as affiliate members. Cobram adopted this decision early in 1998 but, unfortunately, we don’t have a record to tell us who our first affiliate member was. Despite these changes, membership numbers remained around 100, but only eight to 20 members attended monthly meetings.

Please remember that if you are related to somebody who was eligible to be a member of the RSL, then you can honour their service and contribute to welfare assistance to all who have worn (or are wearing) the uniform of the Australian Defence Force (or its allies) by becoming an affiliate member of our Sub-Branch.

Any questions about membership of the RSL, or this article, can be put to the secretary by phoning 0407 040 208 or by emailing cobrambarooga.rsl@gmail.com