Help for mates

By Kath Gannaway
WARBURTON RSL launched an ambitious service and community welfare project last week with a well-supported fund-raising dinner at their hall.
The level of support for the HELP (Health, Education and Living Program) was marked by the attendance of Victorian RSL State Branch President, Major-General David McLachlan AO.
Maj-Gen McLachlan said he was honoured to be invited to what he called one of the RSL’s ‘traditional’ sub-branches.
He said the RSL’s charter was to look after the welfare and the betterment of veterans and dependants and to support local communities.
More than 1 million hours of volunteer work had been contributed across Victoria.
Warburton president Royce Turnbull said in 2009 the sub-branch began to receive requests for assistance with health related information.
“It became apparent that a new approach to providing this information was required,” Mr Turnbull said.
The HELP program was established in response and is designed to provide health and lifestyle information to members, others from the ex-service community and the broader Warburton Highway communities from Lilydale to Warburton.
Warburton RSL Welfare officer Albert Grulke said $4000 was needed to run a series of health sessions as part of the program.
The first session held at Warburton Bowls Club tackling the topic of ‘Depression’ attracted 35 people when it was held in February.
Five more sessions covering diabetes education, medications, hearing, carers and Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, are scheduled from April through to November.