Keeping the Anzac tradition alive

THE Emerald Golf Club, in partnership with DTM Mining, hosted their annual Anzac Day golf tournament last weekend to raise fund for RSL Emerald sub-branch.
DTM Mining sponsor Trudy Morgan said they had been sponsoring the event for six years.
“It’s just a golf competition that we play. We play for the Richie Braughton trophy, which is a trophy in our cabinet,” she said.
“[Richie] was a member for a long time.”
RSL Emerald sub-branch president Noel Mallyon said it was “wonderful to see another organisation working in with another local organisation”.
”[Richie] was a Vietnam veteran and RSL member for many years until he passed away,” he said.
“He’s a born and bred local.”
Mrs Morgan said DTM Mining matched dollar per dollar funds raised during the tournament.
“This year we were able to raise just over $400,” she said.
“We had 54 players. It was really good.
“I’m pretty proud of our members.”
Mr Mallyon said it was a great pleasure to receive the donation.
“All our money stays local, and it is predominantly used for welfare and commemoration,” he said.
“Richie would be proud.”
RSL Emerald sub-branch treasurer Tony Simon said fundraisers such as these were important to build awareness about the valuable service RSLs offer the community.
“[People] don’t realise the benefits that the RSL has achieved over the last 100 years,” he said.
“RSL does all the hard yards today for all those that maybe don’t realise it.
“The RSL is there to help you… if you need some assistance.”
Mr Simon said RSL and various off shoots offered services such as looking after the families of veterans who have passed on, assisting with school fees for families, to providing dental and even haircuts for veterans.
“A lot of people are walking around with no hearing… and don’t realise that there is assistance there,” he said.
“RSL look after Legacy as well.
“Our sub-branch here looks after a legatee with five children.
Mr Mallyon said volunteerism was highly underestimated in society.
“The RSL is over a hundred years old,” he said.
“It was formed in 1916 and they’re the largest volunteer organisation in Australia at the moment.”
Mr Simon said he agreed with this sentiment.
“I believe in giving something back to the town that’s given a lot to you,” he said.
“It’s [about] trying to make lives better for others around you.”
Mr Simon said that it was important for young people to take up the baton to keep the organisations volunteer efforts alive.
“We’re suffering from membership and it’s hard to get people involved,” he said.
“With the mothers and fathers playing golf here at least the message still gets down to the kids at school, which is the only way we’re every going to keep the RSLs name up front.”
Mr Mallyon said the Emerald sub-branch was well supported but agreed with the need for young people to take up the charge.
“I think you’ve got to look at what [the future is],” he said.
“Hopefully when we conk out, we can leave something behind that all these young ones can keep Anzac Day going, because it should never, ever be let go.”