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Echunga, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

RSL encourages veterans to be more socially active

Just a small amount of money can go a long way. That's the message from John Wauchope of the RSL Echunga and District Sub-branch, which has established a social program for veterans, widows/widowers, carers and ex-service personnel.

The RSL received a Veteran & Community Grant to improve its Sub-branch facilities. This included installing heating, buying a new commercial refrigerator and installing an illuminated exit sign within the clubroom.

With the addition of donated materials and labour, the result has been the creation of a more comfortable place for the small rural community of 450 to gather for social activities, meetings and information workshops.

"We worked on the basis that if we provided a more pleasant environment, then people would be more likely to attend," John says.

According to John, the process of applying for the grant was reasonably simple. "The information contained in How to Develop Projects and Prepare Funding Submissions by DVA Adelaide was very helpful," he said.

With the work now complete, John believes the whole community has a renewed sense of town pride and enthusiasm. At the clubrooms there are regular meetings of the card club, the garden club and of course the Sub-branch. They lease out the space for other events too.

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"We formed a committee of people who could chase up different requirements of the application, then we sat down and completed the submission."

Once a month the RSL holds social events for veterans, such as darts, billiards and band nights and it invites along guest speakers and holds information workshops.

John says partnerships have been formed with Echunga's local media outlets and they are extremely supportive of the social program. The local newspaper regularly advertises upcoming events, including the town's Anzac Day dawn service and breakfast, which is attended by some 200 people every year.

Since the facility's upgrade, new members have joined and the Sub-branch has a higher profile within the community. "We've been able to put up signs, so people know where we are now."

John says it feels good to do something for members of the community and to know the Sub-branch is taking an active role in their happiness and well being.

He says the work that has been done will provide Echunga with a worthwhile community facility for many years to come.

Veterans gathering

Project: upgrade of the local RSL Sub-branch rooms for use as a social centre.

Grant value: $4,916

Community benefits: Provision of a more comfortable meeting and social place that has resulted in greater involvement in the community by veterans and a renewed sense of community pride.

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