By Tyler Wright
The Dandenong Ranges RSL has become more visible to the community in Sassafras thanks to a funding injection from the Federal Government’s Saluting Their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program.
RSL president Bob Richard said the RSL was successful in receiving $2,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ grant program last year to go towards erecting three flagpoles at the front of the property in Sassafras.
“Being off the road a little bit, it looks like a bit like a residence, so we wanted to make it more obvious that this was an RSL and that everyone in Sassafras and the local area were very welcome to come,” Mr Richards said.
“We put these three flags up to make it a bit more prominent, and we probably wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of the Federal Government, which is great.
“We probably might not have been able to allocate that amount of money to the project without their support; we’re a little RSL and we’re a traditional RSL without pokies, so any help we can get from the Federal Government or the State Government, and indeed the council, is very welcome.”
On Tuesday 30 January, Casey MP Aaron Violi visited the RSL to present members with an Australian national flag, which was hung on a pole out the back of the venue.
“It’s really important that we can support the RSL,” Mr Violi said.
“They do amazing work in the community with veterans, but also in the wider community, playing important roles; so to be able to support their grants application to get the new flags is crucial.
“It’s a crucial part of my job and to see and hear from Bob about how it’s already helping give the RSL more prominence in the community is great to see.”
Mr Violi said to have the flagpole at the back of the premises where people can come to sit quietly, remember and reflect is a “wonderful use of this community asset”.
“I’m glad I can play a small part in helping the RSL continue to grow,” he said.
The RSL will hold a dawn service on Anzac Day on Thursday 25 April at 6.30am at the Avenue of Honour Memorial on the corner Mt Dandenong Road and Sherbrooke Road in Ferny Creek.
It will be followed by a gunfire breakfast at the Ferny Creek Scout Hall, and a march followed by a commemorative Service at the Sassafras Village Green at 10.30am.
The RSL, located at 1773 Mountain Highway in Sassafras, will host refreshments afterwards.
