The Burleigh Heads RSL Sub-Branch 2005 Christmas party was a tremendous success! It was a very hot day and 100 members, 72 visitors and 5 guests attended, and should it have been a little cooler there would have been a much larger crowd. Unfortunately due to the heat there were a few late cancellations from some of our more frailer members which was understandable.

Earlier that morning, Betty Hale and her trusty band of ladies were hard at it, organizing the food to ensure that only the best would be provided, and boy was it so! there wasn't much left after the main event was over! the food was excellent thanks to Betty. Also a thank you to the two kitchen boys, Vic and Stuart!

George Utterson, Bob Birch, Curley Clark, Noel Hull, turned up early to get the tables and chairs set out for the party, boy they made it look easy! great to be fit. Brian Williams, Les McKenzie and Craig Mckenzie organized the refreshments and made sure they were nice and cold for the event!

Pat Welch, Jeannie McKenzie and Dulcie Humrick of the Auxiliary turned up early to decorate the tables and to organize their Christmas raffle which they conduct each and every year! All the prizes are donated by members and ladies of Auxiliary and every one enjoys the event. Lovely Nibbles were placed on the tables and by the looks of the returns there wasn't too much returned, I was going to save them for next year, but no luck!

Allan Price and John Rapp organized the door entry and all was ready. The secretary was in readiness to accept any Subscriptions that members wished to pay before the end of the year, You know the old saying "a Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"!

The event started officially at noon and introductions were made, firstly to our Patron, Mr Paul Gamin, Mrs Christine Smith, Burleigh State MLA Member, Anne Maree Grasso from the Southport Department of Veterans Affairs Office and Mr Gregg Betts our Burleigh heads GCCC Councillor. Apologies were received from Margaret may MP Federal Member for McPherson with a lovely gift basket as a door prize, which was won be Ken Gaulton to his surprise!

Anne Maree responded with best wishes, Christine Smith also and to our surprise Gregg Betts made a very generous donation to the Sub-Branch to help with our continuous overhead costs of maintaining the RSL Hall. The support we received from all areas of Government is absolutely fabulous, thank you one and all!

By this time the party was in full swing, Fr Pat Molony turned up just nicely to bless our food, which of course made it taste better. Alistair McColl was appointed MC to coordinate the tables for meals, and as usual he did a wonderful job! thank you Alistair! Jeff Smith brought his trusty Piano Accordion and continued to play lovely old time and Christmas songs! Jeff's lovely Wife Shirley gave us a few songs later in the piece before the Welch Brigade took over and nearly lifted the roof with their singing. It was a very happy crowd, believe it or not there wasn't one complaint!

The New DVA funded Sound System went through it's paces and passed with flying colours! Thank you DVA!

The Party ended with a band of willing helpers, cleaning up, washing glasses and putting furniture away, a huge big thanks to all those who helped make this day a wonderful experience and one that many of our members will remember!

It was a record, never in my memory that I can recall 177 turning up for a Sub-Branch Function, this is a credit to all the members, pat yourselves on the back, well done! We look forward to next year with great gusto! happy and healthy 2006 to everyone!