annual report 2011 - Blacktown RSL

War Widows Guild Report
Members of the Blacktown City War Widow’s Guild
meet on the fourth Friday of each month, except
December and January. New members are always
welcome to come and join our group.
During the past year we have lost several of our
members due to illness or their passing. Some
members are now in Nursing Homes or living with
their families as they are too frail to attend our
meetings. We still try to keep in contact with some of
these members, if we have their contact details, by
sending Birthday cards to celebrate their Birthdays.
Some have been admitted to Nursing Homes, but
unfortunately we do not know where.
Some of our members are able to obtain subsidised
transport to and from our meetings. This arrangement
is organised by the Transport Officer at the War
Widow’s Guild of Australia NSW Ltd.
It is cheaper than Taxis and the Driver is very helpful by
assisting passengers in and out of the taxi, with
walkers and bags and also helps passengers to and
from the front doors.
During the year, our President, Mrs Jean Keelan and I,
attended a concert at the Sydney Town Hall where we
were entertained by Col Joye. This was a terrific
concert. We also attended a healthy eating program
held by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I also attended a Seminar at the VAN Office in
Parramatta where we were shown by representatives
of the Guide Dog Association, the aids available to
vision impaired people. This was a great realisation as
the Guide Dog Association relies solely on donations
and no Government funding.
On 15 August 2010 I was privileged to attend and
present a copy of our book “No Peacetime
Cinderellas” on behalf of the War Widow’s Guild of
NSW Ltd at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Service
which was held at Springwood.
We wish to thank the catering staff for making our
Christmas Party in December 2010 a great success.
The food and service was excellent as usual. We are
looking forward to our next one.
We would also like to thank the staff at the Cafe for
their service after our meetings. Members love the fish
and chips.
Committee for 2011 – 2012
President
Mrs Sylvia Stokes
Vice Presidents Mrs Val Merchant
Mrs Jean Keelan
Secretary/Treasurer Mrs Jan Hackett 9624 3501
Thank you for all your help
Yours faithfully
Mrs J Hackett
Honorary Secretary/Treasurer
Nirimba Naval
Association Report
Our group of 20 dedicated ex-naval men meet on
the second Saturday of the month from 9.30am to
10.30am at Blacktown RSL Club to organise
BBQ’s or bus trips around the state to places of
interest: museums, churches etc. We are also in
the process of organising the bi-annual “End of an
Era” Memorial Service, in conjunction with the
UWS and Wyndham Senior College, for next year
at the Nirimba Precinct.
This is in remembrance of HMAS Nirimba, a
technical training school which had at it’s closing,
produced some 6000 highly trained young men
over a period of 26 years. HMAS Nirimba was a
vital part in keeping the Navy in top condition and
always ready to be at the front line to defend not
only our country but other countries in the area of
the world we live in.
We also give assistance to Training Ship (TS)
Nepean who are the area’s Australian Naval
Cadets unit that are based out at Orchard Hills
under the command of Sub-Lieutenant Brian
Crockett JP ANC. They meet every Saturday for
training, excursions and also supplying a Guard
and Cataflaque Party for official functions to not
only our RSL but all other RSL’s in the local area.
We would also like to thank our Blacktown City
sub-Branch for all their support and contributions
that allow us to maintain the Nirimba Memorial
Walls and plaques, our standards and the ability
to assist others.
President Frank Eastwell 9626 9763
Vice President Les Gibson 9677 0619
Secretary Rick Palenzuela 9621 7391
Treasurer John Camburn 9834 1637
36 BLACKTOWN RSL CLUB LIMITED - where friends love to meet