Lunch will thank RSL women

PETER McPhee, the new manager of Healesville RSL, says he is looking forward to meeting many of the women who played a major role in the organisation over the past 80 years.
The RSL will recognise the service of members of the Healesville RSL women’s auxiliary at a special celebration and luncheon on Monday 29 January at the RSL.
The auxiliary closed two years ago.
Mr McPhee said while it is disappointing the current role of the auxiliary seems to have faded away, he hoped many of the former members would come along to the official “thank you”.
“The first auxiliary was probably the original counsellor of the boys who returned from Gallipoli. Many of the wounded were the husbands, brothers and sweet-hearts of the women who started the organisation in 1926,” he said.
Healesville RSL president Sam Halim said the women had worked tirelessly with raffles, cake stalls, nursing and helping each other as well as the men who served.
“We want to thank those people without whose help the sub-branch would not exist,” he said.
Any former auxiliary members who would like to attend the luncheon are asked to contact Mr McPhee on 5962 5017.