Returned and Services League
Brinkworth Koolunga Sub-branch of the Returned Sailor’s and Soldier’s Imperial League of Australia received its charter of membership in 1919, just three years after the establishment of the national organisation. In 1946 it became the Brinkworth, Koolunga and Yacka Sub-branch.
Unfortunately the Ladies Auxiliary that was formed in 1958 is no longer active. It was closed down in 2008.
The Sub-branch conducts services and ceremonies on all days of special importance to the RSL and undertakes an educational role at the schools within the region.
The Story of The Ode
The RSL member who contributed this information added the following comment:
“I sat very quietly for some time when I first read this and reflected on the great loss of life for not only the UK but all sides in WW1.
It is a fact that per capita, Australia lost more young soldiers than any other country. Considering her small population Australia sacrificed much and many.”
English poet Laurence Binyon, overwhelmed by the carnage and loss of life by British and Allied forces in World War 1, penned one of the most moving tributes the world has known to our war dead. Titled; For the Fallen, the ode first appeared in The Times of London on September 21, 1914. It has now become known in Australia as the Ode of Remembrance, and the fourth verse (in bold, below) is read at dawn services and other ANZAC tributes. At Returned Sevicemens Clubs throughout Australia, members observe one minute's silence each night at 9:PM. The verse in bold is recited in memory of those who died. It is followed by the response, "Lest we forget".
ODE OF REMEMBRANCE
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
COMMEMORATION CHURCH SERVICE
The Commemoration Church Service was held on the 17th of April. Gus De Jong from Blyth conducted the service with 16 people in attendance. Afternoon refreshments were served on the completion of the service.
ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE
The Anzac Day Dawn Service commenced at 6.30 am on the 25th of April and this service was conducted by Pastor Fin Klein from Brinkworth. Approximately 70 people attended this service which was a little down on previous years as Anzac Day was on Easter Monday this year and as the Tuesday (26th) was a public holiday a lot of the town's people would have been away on the long weekend holiday.
ANZAC DAY RAFFLE 2011
We had over 33 prizes (a new record) in this years raffle and it was very well supported. I would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who supported this event. The raffle was drawn after the ANZAC Day Dawn Service breakfast.
There will be a ANZAC Day Dawn Service, sit down breakfast and raffle next year,
2012.
RSL LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARDED TO MURRAY BURNLEY
- by Deb Werhmann, Northern Argus correspondent
The Brinkworth/Koolunga/Yacka branch of the RSL wound up 2006 with a celebratory dinner at the Junction Hotel at Brinkworth, Thursday December 7.
The dinner is an annual occasion on the RSL calendar but this year was even more special when respected member Murray Burnley of Brinkworth was presented with his life membership from RSL State vice president, Will Clough.
Mr Burnley enlisted with the Royal Australian Navy in 1940, at the age of 17, with the consent of his parents and a Justice of the Peace and, after serving overseas for almost four years, he joined the Balaklava branch of the RSL. He then joined the Brinkworth/Koolunga/Yacka branch in 1953 when he moved to Brinkworth with his wife, Shirley.
Highly regarded amongst fellow RSL members and the Brinkworth community, Mr Burnley has been a dedicated member, continuing to serve the RSL with intense dignity and pride, which lead him to be presented with his life membership. At the end of December he completed his 14th consecutive balance sheet in his role as secretary/treasurer. Prior to fulfilling that position he was president for three years and was also instrumental in orchestrating the building of the Brinkworth clubrooms in 1957.
Not usually known for being stuck for words, an emotional Mr Burnley humbly accepted his presentation from Mr Clough in front of friends and colleagues at the dinner.
Mr Burnley’s life membership was the first to be presented to a member of the Brinkworth/Koolunga/Yacka branch purely in recognition for services rendered to his local branch and the RSL, and is one that is truly well deserved.
Mr Clough resides at Riverton and presented the life membership on behalf of the RSL National Executive at Canberra.
RSL LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARDED TO COLIN CYRIL ADAMS ( COMMONLY KNOW AS SQUID)
Mr Adams enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces on the 23rd April 1941 at the age of 21. Squid did all of his training (4 months ) at Woodside just outside Adelaide S.A. He was then sent to Melbourne where he and his unit the 2/10 Reinforcement Battalion embarked on a old Dutch troopship for the Middle East. After a trip of 3 weeks his unit disembarked at Port Suez in Egypt. After a campain of 20 months in the middle east Squid returned to Australia for 3 weeks well earned leave. On completion of his leave he was then sent to fight in the New Guinea to the North of Australia. He was in New Guinea for approx 5 months and then returned to Australia and was dischared from the service in Oct 1944 as his father was running the farm with one of Squid brother's and found it very difficult to manage as he was not a well person. Squid served in the Army for 1167 days 743 of these being outside Australia.
Squid joined the Brinkworth Koolunga Yacka RSL in 1944 and has been a current member to this day. He was President of the club in the 1960's and was awarded life membership in 2008. Mr Clough also presented Squid with his Life Membership at the Xmas Dinner in 2008 and Squid was lost for words as he did not know he was to be presented with this honour.
Mr Clough presented the life membership on behalf of the RSL National Executive at Canberra
Contact Details
Persons interested in joining the Sub-branch or hire the hall facility can obtain additional information by contacting nikdi@westnet.com.au
President: Nick Hart
Secretary: Murray Burnley
Anthony Wright: Assistant Secretary
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