The December 10 closure of the RSL Women’s Auxiliary was a sad day

To the people of Narrabri:

At a meeting of the Narrabri RSL Women’s Auxiliary (Auxiliary) on Tuesday, December 1, 2019, the attending six members voted to close the Auxiliary.

There were several reason for this decision.

On December 1, 2019, RSL NSW introduced a new Constitution which among other changes required the Auxiliary to change its name to the Narrabri RSL Auxiliary dropping the word ‘Women’.

The Auxiliary members can, if they wish, become members of the Narrabri RSL sub-branch as Auxiliary Members.

All money raised by the RSL Auxiliary must be directly deposited into the nominated bank account of the sub-branch to which the Auxiliary is attached.

No RSL Auxiliary is to maintain a bank account separate from that of the sub-branch.

This further removed the independence of the Auxiliary.

Further to the above, due to the lack of numbers, the ladies of the Auxiliary were finding it hard to cater for wakes and a decision was made to hand over the catering of the wakes to the RSL Club caterers.

I have been on the executive of the Narrabri RSL sub-branch for approximately 20 years in the capacity of Secretary/ Treasurer and the last three years as president.

It is my sustained opinion there is no better group of ladies in NSW devoted to fund raising for the Returned Services League of Australia to support the ideals of the League to caring for veterans of the Australian Defence Force and their families and to perpetuate the memory of those who have fought suffered and died in service of the Commonwealth of Australia.

To further endorse the above, over past 21 years the Narrabri RSL Women’s Auxiliary has raised a staggering $381,640.31 for Defence Care NSW and the Narrabri RSL sub-branch Widows and Dependents Fund.

This has been achieved by catering for wakes, selling ANZAC and Poppy Day badges, cake stalls, and raffles.

December 10, 2019, was a sad day for the Narrabri RSL sub-branch and the Narrabri District.

The members of the Narrabri RSL sub- branch will dearly miss the ladies smiling faces and dedicated contribution to the ideals of our sub-branch and the wider community of the RSL.

With much gratitude and admiration

Gary Mason, president, Narrabri RSL Sub-Branch