Three respected members of the Tewantin-Noosa RSL Sub Branch have been honoured for reaching 60 years of serving the community in a magnitude of ways.
President Adel Amin presented the 60 year membership certificates at Friday’s President’s Lunch, thanking the veteran’s for contributing to the continued success of the Sub Branch.
Kenneth Bridges OAM, William (Ron) Court and Thomas Connop have spent much of their lives as Sub Branch members following their time serving their country in the Australian Defence Force.
Mr Amin said the RSL thrived on providing support to veterans within the community.
“For someone to give 60 years of support to the organisation is incredible,“ he said.
“With all our veterans, past, current and future, it really is up to us to honour them for their continued support because without the ex-service community, there wouldn’t be an RSL.
“Our one and only life members of the Sub Branch is Kenneth Bridges, he has been around for such a long while and continues his support on a daily basis.
“Ron Court and Thomas Connop have also been very big supporters of the Sub Branch, and they have all been mentors to other members which helps the newcomers see that the RSL is not just about pokies and drinking.“
Mr Bridges, 94, said it was important to keep the RSL in the position that it is in today.
“We feel that attendance at functions such as this are so important because so many of us are growing a little older, or a lot older,“ he said.
“I’ve been a member of the RSL since 1944 and I’ve maintained that membership the whole way through.
“1944 of course was during the Second World War and we happened to be on relief from the Coral Sea Battle in the Navy at Cairns and the only thing that I had in mind was to go to the RSL and I’ve been a member ever since.
“It’s being part of a group that you know have a sincere approach to looking after their friends. We’ve all learnt to do this the hard way and to maintain good friendship and look after the problems that every body else has.
“My Father was a WW1 Digger and he also was a RSL member but unfortunately he didn’t live as long as me.“
Mr Court said over the 60 years he had worked various jobs, from being in the UK with the Royal Australian Navy to Commission HMAS Melbourne and going on to work in the film industry.
“When I was in the Navy I was actually selected to do the Fleet Royal Guard for The Queen. That was one special thing that I treasure. The nice old lady looked at me and Prince Philip said ’Howdy, how are you my friend’,“ he said.
“Reaching 60 years means that I’ve done things that I set out to do.“
Mr Connop, 95, said the aim of the RSL was wonderful.
“They do a lot of good work, especially for War Widows,“ he said.
“My Mother was a War Widow and the RSL gave a lot of help to her as she had five young children.
“They raise a lot of money for district sports and charities among other things.“
