When Debra Wilson, a part owner of a real estate company, was asked to sell a unit recently the owner pointed out a motorised wheelchair and said, you can have it if you know someone who is in need of one.
Debra said she had no one in mind, but was sure her father, Noosa Vietnam Vetarans Association (NVVA) social officer and committee member Bruce Wilson would, and she was right.
The Tewantin/Noosa Sub Branch member and Director of the Board for the RSL Club immediately accepted the offer on behalf of the NVVA.
The task then began to identify a needy recipient or a worthy member of the local community.
RSL Welfare officers were consulted as well as long standing members of the Sub Branch. Eventually, one lady stood out above all the rest.
And on Thursday 17 January Olive Donaldson was presented with the scooter and Bruce outlined some of the reasons for her selection.
Olive was one of the club’s founding members without whom the club would not exist. She has been an RSL Club member since its formation and served two terms as club board member.
She joined the Woman’s Auxiliary in 1974 and was its first president, first life member and its patron.
Olive is a member of the Laurel Ladies and volunteered to serve in the WRAAF during the Korean War.
Olive’s father was the first Sub Branch president in 1959 and the first life member.
In addition Olive volunteers in the information office and is an active member of the CWA.
Olive said she was honoured to accept the scooter.
“As many of you would know, I walk to the RSL almost every week day, and as Bruce so kindly put it, I am not getting any younger, my feet are getting wearier and my back is aching more,” she said.
