70th Anniversary
 
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Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-Branch 70th Anniversary President's Address & Report
President's Address:
 Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome everyone to today's' Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-branch 70th Anniversary celebrations. I would like to pass on a few apologies, Mr Alan Griffin, MP Minister for Veterans Affairs, Mrs Margaret May, MP Federal Member for McPherson & Shadow Minister for Ageing, Mayoress Helen Clarke, Callie Cahir & Mr and Mrs James & Virginia Casey.

I would now like to acknowledge the following guests:
 


- Queensland State President of the RSL Mr Doug Formby,
- Mr Derek Robson, AM, National Secretary of the RSL,
- Mr Ron Clarke, MBE, Mayor GCCC,
- Christine Smith, State Member for Burleigh,
- Mr Greg Betts, GCCC Councillor for Burleigh,
- Mr Ray De Vere, MC, OAM, retired Chairman of the Board of RSL Care,
- Mr Peter Franklin, OAM, President Gold Coast District RSL,
- Mr Ron Workman, OAM, President Currumbin RSL Sub-Branch,
- Mr Norm Anderton, MBE, Secretary Gold Coast & District Ex-POW Association,
- Mr Paul Findlay, President Gold Coast TPI association,
- Nikki Wood, Manager Department Veterans Affairs VAN Office, Southport,
- Mr Grant Perry, Burleigh Heads Branch Manager Suncorp
- Mrs Jerry Cahir, Proprietor "Cheap as Chips" sponsors.


I also would like to acknowledge the attendance of Kathleen Kelly, RSL State Branch Communications Officer.


Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-Branch, which is a Sub-Branch of the Returned & Services League of Australia and Queensland, turned 70 years old on the 3rd January 2009, having received its charter on the 3rd January 1939. It has been discovered through research that the original ANZAC's were hard at work in the Burleigh region many years long before that event ever occurred. They were commemorating and organizing ANZAC Day services at least as early as 1935. As testimony to this, an early program dated Wednesday 25th April 1935 for the occasion quotes "And we will remember them". It is more than likely these commemorations commenced earlier than 1935.

I would like to remind everyone here today of the huge support that we receive and have received from the Gold Coast City Council and from our current Councillor, Mr Greg Betts. The support is most appreciated and assists us in keeping the ANZAC spirit alive in Burleigh Heads for ANZAC and Remembrance Day commemorative services.

The Events that followed:
~ The Mayor, Mr Ron Clarke MBE was called to give a short address, in which he thanked the Burleigh Heads RSL ex-service members for their contribution in keeping the ANZAC tradition alive in Burleigh heads over the last seventy years.

~ President Chris Keating called on Mr Doug Formby, Queensland RSL State President to give the keynote address. Doug thanked the members for their contribution to the RSL and to the community and congratulated the committee on furthering the aims and objects of the League. Mr Formby presented a framed certificate signed by the National President and National Secretary congratulating the Sub-Branch on achieving its seventieth anniversary.

~ President Chris Keating acknowledged the presence of Kevin Snee, member and ex- Sub-Branch president 1949 - 1958, and thanked him for his past valued contribution which has ensured the current good standing of the Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-Branch and stated without his contribution the circumstances may well have been very different today!

~ President Chris Keating asked everyone to be upstanding in respect of fallen and departed comrades. The Last Post played, there was a minute's silence, the Ode was recited and the Rouse played, all with a background collage of photos of Australian troops in Gallipoli screened on the large screen over the stage.

~ President Chris Keating asked guests and members to follow Mr Formby and himself outside, to the front of the hall by way of the side door for the unveiling of the commemorative plaque - the dedication plaque that had been placed at the base of the flagpole to remind future members, that we were here!

~ After the formal proceedings, Chris Keating asked the Senior Vice President Bob McNamara to come forward to receive from him a framed display of Women's Auxiliary badges from 1922 to current and a framed display of RSL badges from 1919 to current, as his contribution on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Sub-Branch. Senior Vice President Bob McNamara thanked Chris for his donation and stated the framed cases of badges would be suitably displayed, members applauded.