Canowindra RSL Sub-Branch thanks every­one

Canowindra RSL sub-Branch thank every­one for attending the Canowindra ANZAC Day services this year. The Dawn service saw 300 in attendance with over 500 at the Main Service.

Thank you to Lawrence’s IGA for the donation of the bread and margarine for breakfast, the Canowindra Services Club for allowing the sub-Branch to hold the breakfast in the Club, Canowindra High School students and Michael Bushell for the help with the breakfast, the Fire and Rescue for setting up the chairs supplied by the Services Club. Helen Payten did an amazing job as usual, this year we had the Canowindra Choir singing the hymns with us. Thank you also to Cabonne Council for the beautiful condition of the park.

Last but not least, thank you to the mem­bers of the RSL sub-Branch who helped me in the lead up and on the day to make the day successful for the community.

Organisation for ANZAC Day starts for me in October when I submit a request for a Catafalque Party to the Department of Defence. In past years when we have been fortunate to be allocated a Catafalque party, they have come from as close as Orange or as far away as Wagga Wagga.

Whether we are successful in being allo­cated a Catafalque party depends on the number of requests received and the avail­ability of personnel. Due to the require­ments for storage of weapons it is difficult to get a catafalque party for both the Dawn and the Main Services.

Last year I requested a flypast, which, to my surprise, was granted. It was great to see two PC21’s fly over Canowindra not once but twice, I felt this lifted the spirits of those in the park. I know I was very ex­cited to see them, let’s hope this request is granted again next year.

Canowindra RSL sub-Branch received its Charter in April 1921 and has been operat­ing ever since, as the Honour Board in the RSL room of the Services Club shows. Un­fortunately, the restrictions around COVID 19 in 2021 prevented the sub-Branch from celebrating its 100th year. Hopefully we can celebrate this milestone in the future.

Twice a year, in April and November, the sub-Branch sets up outside IGA to fund­raise for the running of the branch. All the money raised stays with the sub-Branch and is used for our operational costs, to hold ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorations and welfare support for local veterans.

In June the sub-Branch is planning to start a Veterans and Frontline Workers cof­fee catch up on the first Thursday of each month. More details will be advertised clos­er to the date.

Since 1952, Canowindra Golf Club has held an annual Tin Hat Day competition, proudly sponsored by the Canowindra RSL sub-Branch and usually held on the Sun­day preceding ANZAC Day. The winners each receive a trophy and a perpetual tro­phy, which shows the names of the winners of each year, is displayed at the Club.

Membership of RSL NSW is free, for Returned or Serving Defence Force Per­sonnel, there is an online application on the RSL website https://rslnsw.org.au.

Canowindra sub-Branch accepts Affiliate members, if you have had a relative in the Defence Force and are interested.

Kind regards,
Christine McIllvain,
PresidentCanowindra RSL Sub-Branch