By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
WITH a strong handshake, bright smile and touch of cheek President of Tewantin/Noosa RSL Sub-Branch, Steve Drake is the epitome of a genuine Aussie bloke.
Striding straight to the RSL’s cafe, he takes out his wallet.
“What would you like, it’s on me,” he says, his honest smile almost encouraging you to order everything on the menu.
Despite being flat out preparing for Anzac Day commemorations, Steve is happy to sit down for a yarn and a cuppa.
“I was in the Royal Australian Navy for 30 years and 118 days,” Steve says confidently.
“I signed up in August 1969 because my neighbour had joined up a month before and it seemed like a good thing to do at the time.”Steve worked in communications as a radio operator before becoming a specialist in the area.
From Morse code and radiotelegraphy to the technologies of today, Steve said that times had significantly changed in naval communications.
“In the 70s when the internet came, it helped create a different defence network,” he said.
“Now there is not a commander who doesn’t have a mobile phone.”
During his time in the navy, Steve worked on replenishment ships outside enemy lines.
While he never entered into concentrated conflicts, he and his crew came a little too close for comfort on one occasion replenishing ammunition during the Vietnam conflict.
Steve retired from the navy in 1999 and for the five years that followed ran his own take-away business to support his three children.
He has lived in Noosa for almost two decades and has been the president of Tewantin/Noosa RSL sub branch for the past three years.
“The sub-branch is a way of uniting comrades, bringing together people who have experienced a similar lifestyle,” Steve said.
“Returning from service it can be difficult to relate to the civilian population.
“And while we might not have fought in the same war, there are many similarities between us, things that others would struggle to understand.”
The Tewantin/Noosa RSL Sub-Branch currently has more than 460 members, of whom approximately half are active. Of these, there are between 30-40 WWII veterans, with the bulk having fought in Vietnam onwards.
Now with a Veterans Affairs post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) specialist as part of the services offered by the sub-branch, Steve hopes that more of the young soldiers around will take advantage of the available help.
“One of the biggest hurdles of the sub-branch is attracting younger people in to make the most of the services we provide.
“Unfortunately there is still this idea that we are just a bunch of old men who sit around and play cards.”
“There are plenty of young people who return still today from fighting in the armed forces who suffer PTSD but until they admit the problem is there and seek help, there is nothing that we as a sub-branch can do.
“No-one wants to go to war but the government compels us to do so,” Steve continued.
“That’s why days like Anzac Day are so important – bringing the community together in recognition of the sacrifice that was made during wars past and who continue to put their lives on the line still today.”
Coffee cups drained and a quick glance at his watch, it’s time for Steve to get back to business. There’s plenty to be done, with the last-minute preparations for Saturday’s services awaiting him.
