Colonel Light Gardens Returned and Services League

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:12): I rise to speak about a vibrant, inclusive club in the heart of Colonel Light Gardens, namely, the Colonel Light Gardens RSL. The Colonel Light Gardens RSL is steeped in history, having been formed in 1927 and first meeting at the Institute building on West Parkway, Colonel Light Gardens, before moving to the Rechabite Hall on Prince George Parade due to the influx of members in 1947 post World War II.

Currently, there are close to 350 financial members of various classifications, being that of service, affiliate, associate and community. The club, while experiencing a decline in membership, like so many, has prevailed since its peak of over 1,000 members of ex service men and women when there was strictly only one kind of membership category. The club generously plays host to many community groups and RSL-associated organisations, being a hive of activity, hosting in total 42.

Many of these clubs that use the facility pay little or no rent and just simply make a donation of their choice. Some of the clubs that gather are the Senior Citizens' Club, Probus Club, Tool Club, Veteran Car Club, the Prostate Club, Legacy, many local schools, residents' associations, sporting and dance clubs and the Colonel Light Gardens mothers and babies group, just to name a few. There is strong involvement with the local primary schools, Colonel Light Gardens Primary School and St Therese Catholic primary school.

The Colonel Light Gardens RSL is generally open from 3pm, five days a week, serviced by five bar and six kitchen staff, ably supported by a group of passionate and dedicated volunteers. The club holds dinner on Friday nights, with over 160 attending on a regular basis. The kitchen offers a choice of six main meals and three specials, at around $18 a meal, with salad or a hot buffet selection. The facilities are substantial, with a large hall that can accommodate up to 200 people, a club area for around 80, a committee room and a large open verandah, which is licensed and overlooks half of what was formerly the bowling greens and now is used happily as a children's play area or other function areas.

I have had the pleasure of attending the club on many occasions, such as a fun-filled quiz night, a social evening, where I met probably the oldest member, Tom, and an interactive transport forum, and meeting and speaking with the local residents' association, as well as chatting with members of Trinity Anglican church.

Annually, Colonel Light Gardens RSL commemorates the service of veterans with a very moving dawn service attended by around 1,500 attendees as well as Remembrance Day, Long Tan Day (now known as Vietnam Veterans Day) and Australia Day. This year's ANZAC Day service was affirmed by a huge crowd of people gathered together as dawn broke to the sound of morning bird calls and the haunting music of the bagpipes. This reflective remembrance service was finely carried out by the passion of the dedicated volunteers of the Colonel Light Gardens RSL, and I look forward to attending many more to come.

Also in honour of our ANZACs, in recent times the club has installed a new dedicated memorial for the 100^th anniversary of ANZAC. There are new photos of the Mitcham Camp, and memorabilia is continually rotated and improved with additional uniforms on display. This year's Remembrance Day service was an event that not only encouraged the community to remember all those people who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms but also saw three RSL clubs combined at Mortlock Park to deliver the service.

Many stories were told of the 33,000 soldiers who trained at the Mitcham Camp during World War I and the 21 brave nurses who lost their lives in the line of duty on Bangka Island. There was also an overnight experience for the schoolchildren as they slept out in tents in a simulated training camp. The combined endeavours of the Mitcham council and the excellent coordination of the Remembrance Day service by Colonel Light Gardens RSL, Mitcham RSL and Blackwood RSL, along with the engaging interactive displays by Women's Memorial Playing Fields, the Cheer-Up Hut, Violet Day and the yesteryear display, offered a moving and inclusive community event in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for us.

To the Colonel Light Gardens RSL: I congratulate you on being a welcoming, warm and inclusive community club, a hub of activity where anyone can feel that they belong and where they are always welcome. Your sense of community is a unique offering. Thank you for all you do and may you continue to thrive and serve the community.