THE Home Hill Sub-Branch of the RSL concluded another year of activity at its recent 2023 Annual General Meeting, where all committee positions were filled as they moved into the year ahead.
President Richard Kelly presented his annual report to the meeting and took the opportunity to thank his committee “for a job well done” and other members for their attendance at meetings and working bees.
Referring to Anzac Day commemorations, Mr Kelly said the day “did not start out well” but a quick decision to hold the service in the Memorial Hall main hall resulted in a very successful Dawn Service and Cemetery Service.
He described the day as “one of the biggest Dawn Services we have held” with around 200 guests, while the Gunfire breakfast was well attended.
Mr Kelly also commented on the large number of students who participated from the four Home Hill Schools, the Burdekin Catholic High School, and the Burdekin Christian College from Ayr.
Home Hill State High School provided flag bearers for the march, while there were two members from the Townsville Air Force in attendance as well as Burdekin Air Cadets.
“Mr Paul Marano also loaned his restored jeeps to drive our old diggers around for our parade,” he reported. Mr Kelly also highlighted the Cenotaph Ceremony, which included addresses and wreath laying, after which participating school children were provided with refreshments, while the Home Hill Bakery provided for the adult participants.
He also reported on his attendance, with Secretary Allan Petersen, at Anzac services at the four Home Hill Schools, where they gave short addresses and answered questions.
Mr Kelly told the annual meeting that the World War I grave plaques were nearly completed and it was hoped they would be finalised before Anzac Day this year. He also reported that member Uli Liessmann was in the process of organising flag poles for either side of the proposed walkway through the park and Remembrance Day was “a huge success with a large crowd in attendance”.
Mr Kelly advised the meeting that young student, Eathan Pengelly had donated $450 to the branch from his sales of poppies, rosemary and other merchandise and the Sub-Branch had presented him with a certificate of appreciation.
The Home Hill Sub-Branch had also participated in the Home Hill High School awards night, in which the branch presented a Certificate of Excellence to a Student selected by the school teachers for outstanding effort in different categories. That successful student was Lucy Young in year seven.
