By Michael Doran
Healesville RSL has gone from a club on the brink of extinction to one where two of its management have been recognised with prestigious awards from RSL Victoria.
Neil Skinner was inducted into RSL Victoria’s Hall of Fame and Carol Ralis received an Achievement and Recognition Award at a dinner on Saturday 1 December.
Mr Skinner moved to Healesville in 2007 and shortly after took on the role of club secretary. He was involved in setting up the Healesville Community Bank but resigned from his role at the bank by saying, “My heart belongs to the RSL.”
He has a particular focus on the wellbeing of Vietnam Veterans from being a veteran himself. “I knew how difficult it had been for many veterans to settle back into the community,” he said.
“So on Anzac Day 2013 I handed out a piece of paper to everyone who wore medals and just said are you interested in a morning tea with other vets.
“A lot of Vietnam Vets went into the woodwork after the way we were treated when we came home. Just to give them a chance to enjoy a morning tea and a bit of a chat together is very rewarding.
“I suppose it’s an achievement but it’s more the satisfaction you’re giving other people.”
Carol Ralis has also been at the club for more than seven years, now in the role of Manager Administration and Operations. She also has a passion for veterans welfare and has expanded the clubs volunteer network in that area.
Getting the recognition was totally unexpected she said. “I had no idea and didn’t have one hint, even though I work in management. I wanted to be there to see Neil get his award so that’s why I went.
“For me, it’s my job and I really enjoy seeing the positive change in people’s lives that we have been achieving.
“We have great volunteers that go to the ex-service people’s homes to help them out. It might be some chores or just to see how they are going and have a chat.
“I don’t want to know there are people sitting at home by themselves, looking at four walls with no one to talk to, no one to help them and feeling isolated from the community.”
The common thread between these two is that both would rather talk about their members and how they can help them than be recognised for doing anything other than ‘my job.’ Perhaps that’s the real definition of service that they have been recognised for.
