Tomorrow, 25 April 2019, Australia and New Zealand come together in a time-honoured tradition that has formed part of the continent’s national identity – ANZAC Day.
The national holiday is all about paying respects to the ANZAC soldiers who journeyed across the shores in Gallipoli in 1915 to undertake a fateful but history making battle. Their journey took place at sunrise and as such, Australians and New Zealanders gather at sunrise to remember the ANZACs and pay tribute to them, as well as all the men and women that have served in wars since that day.
In Gold Coast City, our community will rise before the sun across the city to attend one of many dawn services and subsequent services throughout the day, with the largest service taking place at Currumbin Beach. Robina’s ANZAC Day Service will begin with a march in Arbour Lane at 8am and finish with a service at 9am at Robina Community Centre.
ANZAC services and celebrations across the country are hosted by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL), a national network made up of state branches, district branches and sub branches throughout the country, offering a range of services to support defence force personnel and their families, including employment programs, scholarships, advocacy, crisis funding and more.
Perhaps what the RSL is most well known for amongst the Australian community are RSL Clubs, which are scattered around the nation, offering a place for soldiers, past and presents, their families and the public to gather together in a social setting and share a meal and a drink. Underpinned by camaraderie, support and that famous ANZAC spirit, RSL clubs are a meeting place for the community and burst at the seams on ANZAC Day, as we gather to remember those brave men and women that have fallen, honour their sacrifices and join together in the name of our shared values.
Located just below the Mudgeeraba Community Hall, the Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL supports returned and ex-service personnel, as well as their families, by opening their doors every Friday nights for communal social connection to celebrate camaraderie and conversation. Forming part of the Gold Coast District of RSL Queensland, the Mudgeeraba-Robina Sub Branch was founded in the 1980’s, offering solidarity and social support to the local defence community and local seniors.
According to Tony Schaper of Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL, their club is little, but aiming to make a big difference through their support services.
“Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month we run the Cedar Cutters Day Club for seniors of the community where we serve morning tea and a 2 course lunch for up 50 people followed by different entertaining artists and also some trivia” Mr. Schaper said.
“We also do welfare visits at hospitals for sick veterans and advise their families on their entitlements.”
“Prior to Anzac Day, we visit about 15 schools in the area, teaching the kids all about the Anzacs and what they’re about. Remembrance Day is quite important as well”.
“On 2 different occasions up to 7 veterans got a group together and headed up to Outback Queensland to assist drought stricken farmers with various jobs mending fences and building and restoring verandas and decks around their shearing quarters. They also took ute loads of donated goods and food to the farmers and shared the rest with the communities in the town” he said.
The Mudgeeraba Robina RSL opens every Friday evening from 5 pm – 8 pm where members meet for a drink, a chat and sometimes a meal. The club also supports local schools and cadet units and offers emergency financial assistance to returned and ex-service personnel.
To honour the bravery and sacrifices of our Defence Force and the RSL and it’s support services for returned and ex-service personnel, Robina Group have proudly donated $5,000 to the Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL Sub Branch to assist in their support and service offerings to defence personnel and their families.
Get involved with Queensland’s largest ex-service organisation, RSL Queensland, by becoming a member of the 35,000 strong network, donating to annual appeals or supporting the RSL Art Union, who offer life-changing prizes through their lotteries that raise funds for the veteran community.
Chat to our friends at the Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL Sub Branch about becoming a member, volunteering your time and joining them at their sunset service on Friday 26 April where the sacrifice of the ANZAC’s and all those service men and women that have since followed suit will be commemorated. The service will include the traditional laying of wreaths, the sounding of the Last Post and a minute’s silence. Meet at 3.15pm at the RSL Club which is located at 62 Railway St, Mudgeeraba and after the service, join in for a BBQ at the Community Hall in Mudgeeraba.
For more information about the Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL Sub Branch or to find out how you can help support the local defence community, visit their website
