Emerald RSL
Sub-Branch Inc.
Whats Happening at the Emerald RSL
Anzac Day 2023
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Anzac Day is the culmination of many days of organising by members of the Emerald RSL. Events include the Dawn Service, the veterans and community march and the Morning Service followed by traditional two-up in the Club grounds. This year the theme adopted by the RSL was Vietnam and National Service back in 1965.
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Starting two weeks prior with the “planting” of thousands of poppies all over our township, this year we even made the city news weather report.
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The Dawn Service attracts people from all over Melbourne who joined in excess of 3000 local residents who came to pay their respects to those who fought for Australia. Puffing Billy saluted in the traditional fashion and the school and college students spoke well. Singer Mark Fenby was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for 13 years of service to the RSL and sang the famous Vietnam song, ”I was only 19” at the Dawn Service.
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The March from the town centre was witnessed by thousands of residents who also participated in the community groups in the march.
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The MC for the day was the RSL Vice President Kane Falconer who presented the keynote address about how the Natios and Vietnam Veterans survived the war and how they were treated on their homecoming.
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During the Morning Service veteran aircraft - Trojans and Kitty hawks did a low flyover of
Anzac Place
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Anzac Day 2022
A video of the services and march
Anzac Day 2022 was a memorable occasion commemorating those who fought for our country.
The theme was the Afghanistan conflict - Australia's longest.
The dawn service once again welcomed Puffing Billy and the kookaburras. Over 2000 people came to the service.
Later in the day the march took place from town centre highlighted by the tolling of the Anzac Bell as the march entered Memorial Avenue. Again a large crowd attended the morning service.
A highlight of the day was the awarding of a Club Life membership to Matt Cocks who has managed Anzac Day for the RSL for the past 17 years.
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Remembrance Day 2021
The Remembrance Day service was held in town centre in Emerald at the Cenotaph on November 11th.
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The service was live streamed to Emerald and can be viewed at the following link.
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Anzac Day 2021
Anzac Day 2021 was indeed a memorable weekend. It started on Saturday with a service at the footy at Chandler Reserve between Emerald and Gembrook. We saw a flyover, 100 pigeons released, a full brass band and a 25lb cannon that started the game. Our theme for the service was "Animals in War"and a special video can be seen at the end of the video below.
On Sunday morning we held the dawn service for 800 people which was live streamed. See video below. Photos of the service will be available soon in our gallery. Refer to our Facebook page for the latest posts.
Remembrance Day 2020
Remembrance Day 2020 was indeed different to previous years due to the Corona virus. We were only allowed to have 10 people at the service but were relieved that about 50 more locals happened to be passing by and joined us. We also noted the relevance of Remembrance Day to the current major issue of suicide of servicemen returning from modern conflicts. Hence the yellow ribbons adorning the trees surrounding Anzac Place.
Refer Gallery for photos and video of Remembrance Day
WE CAN'T STAND TOGETHER - BUT WE STOOD AS ONE
Anzac Day 2020
Anzac Day 2020 in Emerald
And so it was
Not the same - BUT still the same
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While all of Emerald commemorated their Anzac Day privately at home at the end of their driveway,
a few of us attended Anzac Place.
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We lit the large Anzac fire, I delivered The Ode and the Last Post was played by our traditional bugler - Tom Saar. I then laid a wreath on behalf of the RSL. Then the kookaburras saluted in the traditional manner.
We missed Puffing Billy.
And then it was over - not the same, BUT still the same. We still "remembered".
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After the service our local Ambos sent one of their members over to play the bagpipes. Ronan was amazing and he will be back next year. Check out his recital on the link to our videos below.
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During the day many residents and community groups came to Anzac Place to place their wreath on our memorial or pin a poppy on the WW1 plaque.
Thanks to Matt Cocks and Daz Tidey for assisting on the day - at a safe distance!
Peter Maloney.
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Lest We Forget
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Remembrance Day 2019
Remembrance Day 2019 in Emerald. We were blessed with sunshine, we heard Jai Thoolen read his poem "Heroes", we listened to Fiona and her story of the Ladd brothers, we heard the EPS students read the Ode, we heard Jules Vines with Greg Hunt sing Jai's poem, we welcomed Neil and his amazing 3RAR Vietnam car, we heard Suzanne Frisk sing the national anthem with Paul on the Didge. And Emerald came to share the service and lay a wreath or a poppy. And stop for a minutes silence.
Lest we Forget.
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Vietnam Vets Daryl Bristowe, Neil Aldred and Bill Black, all served in 3RAR in 1968.
Seen here standing in front of Neil's decorated Holden.
Anzac Day 2019
WW1 Plaque unveiled by Graeme Legge, Jan Shaw and Russ Nielsen
Photo taken by Annie Beach - Go to Gallery for all photos of the day
Emerald’s Anzac Day dawn service gave a packed crowd the chance to stop and gain some much-needed perspective about just what it means to live in such a privileged, free country. Gembrook MP Brad Battin and interim CEO of the Emerald Tourist Railway Board, Steve O’Brien, were among those in attendance.
And after The Last Post, kookaburras burst into song in the trees surrounding the now iconic Anzac Place, while the Puffing Billy whistle echoed throughout the town centre.
What Emerald’s dawn service has become, and what it means to its people, is the legacy of the town’s RSL branch, and in particular its tireless members – including the likes of Matt Cocks, and former President Peter Maloney.
“We’re very proud of our dawn service,” Mr Maloney said in his opening comments.
“It’s become part of Emerald now.”
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Russell Bennett, Ranges Trader Mail
Remembrance Day 2018
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Remembrance Day was certainly a day to "REMEMBER" - those 100 Emerald men who went to war in 1914 - 34 never to return and at least 66 who returned to their small home town to their families - their names listed on the Honour Boards carried from Puffing Billy to Anzac Place by two locals whose descendants were in WW1.
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We "planted" 20,000 poppies around Emerald and also covered Puffing Billy as seen in the photo here.
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Check out our photo album in our gallery.
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We have set up a Facebook page where you can monitor developments of this community project.
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ANZAC WALK
On July 1st the documentary of the Anzac Walk project was shown at the Gemco Playhouse in Emerald. See gallery.
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The feature of the night was the guest appearance of famed singer songwriter Eric Bogle. Eric is featured in the film and graciously accepted our invitation to travel from Adelaide to perform his famous song - "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda" and a bunch of other songs that were related to the night's theme of remembering our 32 diggers who never returned from WW1.
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It was a great magical night attended by over 100 locals who participated in the project plus many of the descendants of the 32. The film was produced by local film maker Christine Weller.
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You can read the report of the night in the local Pakenham Gazette.
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The video is available for purchase at the Emerald Village Newsagency or by emailing the Club at president@emeraldrsl.com.au. Cost $10 plus postage $3. Email how many and we will post to you.
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To view the video online CLICK HERE
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