September newsletter

The Torch
OURS TO HOLD HIGH
EAST MALVERN RSL SUB-BRANCH
SEPTEMBER 2016 EDITION
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Dear Members,
With the proximity of Spring, I am pleased to advise that the sale of land to Stonnington Council is in
the final stages and we are now just waiting for approval from Lands Department for the Sub-Division.
In the interim a Building Sub-Committee is being assembled with key experts for all the various facets
required in re-developing a new Club. If you feel that you have a particular talent in any area that
could be of assistance to the Sub-Committee please contact Bob Jackson on 0412 176 888.
Our new Caterers, Cloud Management are producing top quality meals from all fresh ingredients. If
you have not tried the Bistro recently, please do so as you will be pleasantly surprised.
As you know, we now have two Welfare vehicles for Members transport, a 5 seater car and a 10
seater bus, however our dilemma at present is that we do not have sufficient volunteers to utilise
these vehicles to their max capacity. Therefore, we are seeking assistance from new volunteers who
may be able to assist on Thursday and Friday nights, but also occasionally Thursday mornings. If you
could spare a couple of hours on each of these occasions you would be greatly valued. Please contact
our Secretary, Joe Hamakers through the Club or on 0417 724 195.
Speaking of Volunteers, as you well know the Club depends so heavily on Volunteers for so many
reasons, the most important being Welfare to assist us in caring for our older returned members and
their families. To this end we seek more volunteers to assist the (aging) Welfare sub-committee in
home and hospital visiting. No more than two hours per week, holidays, free coffee – what could be
more attractive! Please contact Geoff Christopherson, Marty Shields or myself through the Club.
To our unwell and recovering Members, our best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Look forward to seeing you all at our Great Club,
Cheers,
Cam Johnstone
East Malvern RSL Sub Branch Inc. ABN No 38 306 868 571
Stanley Grose Drive, East Malvern, Victoria. 3145
Phone: 03 9571 2058
Email: admin@eastmalvernrsl.com.au
Web: www.eastmalvernrsl.com.au
EAST MALVERN RSL SUB-BRANCH INC.
Executive:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Committee:
Geoff Christopherson AM
Rob Gazzara
Hugh Jordan
Carl Nash
Peter Nash
Stephen Welch
Cam Johnstone
Bob Jackson
Joe Hamakers
Laurie West
Welfare Officer
Appeals Officer
Membership Officer
Publicity Officer
Pensions Officer
The Torch
The Torch is published in March, June,
September & December.
All articles must be submitted by the 20th of
the month preceding publishing.
Email articles to
admin@eastmalvernrsl.com.au
Pension Advice
South Eastern Regional Veterans Centre
Welfare Committee:
Geoff Christopherson AM
Marty Shields
Kathy Coish-Bastian
Rob Gazzara
Bob Jackson
Cam Johnstone
Hugh Jordan
Mara Kelly
John Sloss
John Van Rangelrooy
Stephen Welch
Chairman
Secretary
Veterans and their families can obtain
advice from pension officers
Stephen Welch, Geoff Tobin or John Beuss.
Contact the Centre on 9568 1200.
The Centre is located within the East
Malvern RSL.
Memorial Wall
EMRSL Memorial Wall Plaques are
available to Service and Affiliate members
for $50. Please contact the club.
Pension Officers:
John Beus
Geoff Tobin
Stephen Welch
EMRSL EVENTS
Club Management:
Club Manager:
Office Manager:
Gerard Rush
Dina Niko
Club Phone:
Club Fax:
9571 2058
9571 0470
Bistro Manager:
Cloud Management
Bistro Bookings
Phone 9572 1618
Bistro Opening Hours:
Golden Wattle Day Club
Meet every Thursday at 10.00am
Tuesday Gang
Meet every Tuesday at 8.00am
Angling Club
Meet first Monday each month at 2.00pm
Club Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat 10am – Late
Sunday 11.30am- Late
Lunch
Dinner
Tuesday to Sunday 12pm - 2.30pm
Monday to Saturday 6pm - 8.30pm
VALES
Valerie Elliott
Clive Symons
Robert Fitzwilliam
Helena Lee
Keith Johnson
Cameron Thompson
South Eastern Regional Veterans’ Centre
SERVC AT EAST MALVERN RSL
Telephone 9572 3869
Fax 9568 1411
This Centre has been looking after the needs of Ex-Servicemen, Current Servicemen, War
Widows and their dependent children for many years.
You are invited to contact this office for an appointment and for a full review to be conducted
of your personal needs.
The three Pension Officers at SERVC are fully trained and qualified in all legislations that impact
on Veterans.
You have nothing to lose by seeking an appointment!
EMRSL REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMEMORATION
AND SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Friday 11th November 2016 at 10:45 a.m.
Over the five previous years the EMRSL Welfare Sub-Committee, with the approval of the Sub Branch
Committee, has conducted a School Scholarship Program involving Remembrance Day and local primary
schools. Six students chosen by each school had their projects on Australian military or general history on
display at the sub branch for a week/ fortnight leading up to Remembrance Day. During the Remembrance
Day Service a winner from each school was presented with a $300/ $350 bursary to assist with costs for their
secondary education and a book donated by DVA courtesy of Joe Virgato & Helen Marcote. School finalists,
their parents and teachers were also involved in the service.
Following extremely positive feedback from the schools
involved, sub branch members and invited politicians/ guests
the Sub Branch Committee has elected to make this an ongoing
annual event. This year 11 schools will be involvedCamberwell South PS; De La Salle College; Holy Eucharist PS;
Malvern PS; Malvern Central School; Malvern Valley PS;
Murrumbeena PS; St Aloysius PS; St Mary’s PS; St Patrick’s PS; Solway PS.
The Remembrance Day Commemoration Service will be
held in the hall at the Sub Branch on Friday 11th
November commencing at 10.45am. Students, staff and
parents from the eleven participating schools will join with
us for the service.
This year the children’s work will go on display at the sub branch a fortnight prior to the service-Thursday
October 27-to give members and guests a great opportunity to browse through the students’ work. During
the service winners from each school will be presented with a $350 cheque payable to the Secondary School
they will be attending and a DVA book. All finalists will receive a certificate.
All EMRSL members, families and friends are invited to attend this service on Friday 11th November at
10.45am. We look forward to your company at this very special Commemoration. It would be lovely to have
a larger attendance of our own members this year. Following the service light refreshments will be provided.
* Photos above: Two school projects entered in the 2015 Scholarship Program.)
Marty Shields
School Scholarship Program Coordinator
POPPY APPEAL 2016
The 2016 Poppy Appeal will be commencing in November.
If you can spare some time to support this worthy cause
please contact Rob Gazzara on 0417 98 973 or email to rgazzara@bigpond.net.au
EMRSL MORNING MELODIES PROGRAM
Over the previous 5 years East Malvern RSL has conducted a monthly Morning Melodies session. This has
been done as part of its welfare charter in providing support for local Aged Care Facilities and members of
the EMRSL community. The program had been very successful but unfortunately attending numbers have
dwindled quite markedly this year. As a result the Welfare Committee has decided to place this program in
recess for the rest of 2016. In the meantime we will be looking at ways of successfully reintroducing it in the
future. This will involve us contacting neighbouring ACF’s to seek their feedback and what we need to
provide to ensure this is a viable program.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank those RSL members who attended these sessions and hope
they gained from the enjoyment of the entertainment and the socialisation factor. We would encourage any
of you who have attended any sessions in the past or have any suggestions for the reintroduction of this
program in the future to contact any member of the Welfare Committee to discuss.
Marty Shields
EMRSL Welfare Committee Sec.
FOOTY TIPPING
Footy tipping results are now being kept secret.
The awards for winners, both in the Weekly Tipping Competition
and the Pre-season Competition, will be announced on Brownlow Night.
BROWNLOW NIGHT
AT THE EAST MALVERN RSL
MONDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2016
TIME 7:30 p.m.
POZIERES CENTENARY
COMMEMORATION SERVICE
EMRSL 19TH JULY 2016
Above article and picture from the Stonnington Leader 12/07/2016
EMRSL TUESDAY GANG
The small group of volunteers are still working on our gardens and are
managing to maintain a desirable environment under the present crew.
However anyone who would like to join us would be most welcome.
See us at the EMRSL Tuesday mornings from 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 noon.
NOSTALGIA - THE TUESDAY GARDEN GANG 1985
Back Row L/R: Stan Lovitt – George Maddock – Bill Oakley – Jack Knight – Sid Chappel
Middle Row L/R: Norm Furness – Russ Maxwell – Stan Wicks – Bill Kilpatrick – Keith Bowen – Stan Parker
Alby Willcox - Roy Barrand
Front Row L/R Barry Dumsday – Doug Dillon – Stan Astley – Rex Walsh
PROUD SPONSOR OF EAST MALVERN RSL
WELFARE REPORT
The winter this year has been rather a sad season as will be evident from the Vales in this copy of
Torch. As the older veterans pass on we need to look to the younger veterans to take their place and
this is proving to be a rather difficult exercise. What the younger group should be called remains the
matter of much discussion. At a Regional Forum held at Geelong Sub Branch on 2 nd June 2016 it was
announced that the word ‘Contemporary’ would no longer apply and that a term better reflecting the
definition of veteran as defined in Section 23 of the Veterans’ Act of 2005 should be chosen. This
matter has been causing problems for some time and a solution would be a great step forward for the
future of the RSL.
Volunteer Management Strategy: This reporting system is now being implemented at East Malvern.
As pointed out at the Geelong Regional Forum by Martin Lees, the manager of the system at State
Branch, the new system is being introduced because the RSL needs a strategy that recognizes the
contribution volunteers make to the mission of the RSL; protects, values and resources our current
volunteers; and ensures the RSL has adequate volunteers to continue its mission well into the future.
World War 1 Commemorations: The centenary of two very significant WW 1 battles was
commemorated at EMRSL in July, the battle of Fromelles which took place on 19 July 1916 and the
battle of Pozieres 23 to 28 July 2016. The commemoration service was well attended and politicians
from the Victorian Parliament and the Mayor and a Councillor of Stonnington took part in the Service.
The East Malvern Welfare Client List as at 20 July 2016 showed 18 members in aged care facilities and
16 at home. As mentioned in previous welfare reports in Torch, it is difficult to give accurate numbers
for members in hospital as the welfare committee is not always aware when a member is admitted. It
would be very helpful if this information could be made available to us at the time.
Geoff Christopherson AM Chairman EMRSL Welfare Committee
PROUD SPONSOR OF EAST MALVERN RSL
Looking for a safe and supervised exercise program?
Malvern East Physiotherapy has developed just the program for you!
Extensive research suggests that strength training is beneficial for overall health and wellbeing. There
are a broad range of safe exercises that can be undertaken, no matter what level of fitness or function
you are at.
Malvern East Physiotherapy’s supervised strength training exercise classes are tailored specifically to
your needs, and are perfect for those looking to improve:
Muscle strength
Bone density
Balance
Mobility
Cardiovascular fitness
Blood pressure management
Blood sugar levels
Call us today on 9571 6888 to make a booking, or for further information.
Classes are claimable on physiotherapy extras cover or DVA.
It’s never too late to start!
ANGLING CLUB
ANGLING CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Information regarding joining can be obtained from Anglers president Alan Johnston Ph:- 9885 7946 or
Barry Gallagher on Ph:- 9807 9111 or by attending the monthly meeting in the Garden Room at 2PM
on the first Monday of the month except January, July and August.
RSL members who are interested in joining should be aware that there is now a waiting list on which
to place their names.
FORWARD FISHING
Westernport October 14th,28th
Snapper T.B.C provided Snapper are “on.”
KGW Trips to be confirmed at September
meeting and will commence in Nov.
Pre payment is mandatory on all trips.
TRIP AWAY
March 2017 Bemm River Safari: Bream Classic.
21,22,23,24 March
Limited places , first in first served, deposits accepted now.
Confirm with Peter B.
SOCIAL REPORT
The mid year dinner and awards night was
attended by 42 members, wives and guests.
A very successful night!
Mark Rehn took out Clubman of the Year
Award 2015 and David Austin was awarded
Angler of the Year 2015.
POPPY APPEAL – November 2016
New volunteers required to make this year’s appeal successful as
some of our elderly helpers have had to retire.
Also we need someone to co-ordinate the Malvern Central Site, as
I am unable to continue in this role. Contact Rob Gazzara.
NEXT MEETINGS
Next meeting - Monday 5th September. 2PM.
Then - Oct.3; Nov.7; Dec.5.
Christmas Breakup Dinner - Monday Dec.12
Book with John McBeth.
Alan Johnston
President
Photos – Top
Dinner & Awards Night
Centre Roz Watson, Mark Rehn & Alan Johnstone
Bottom David Austin
Coming soon to the
CABANA LOUNGE
East Malvern RSL – Live Music every Sunday from 3pm
Sunday 4th September – Wired
Sunday 11th September – The Herberts
Sunday 18th September– Spin
Sunday 25th Nikki Nicholls & the Groomsmen
Sunday 2nd October The Jetsons
Golden Wattle Day Club
We must be doing something right! In July we celebrated our 10th Birthday ! This was a festive occasion,
combined with lunch, and entertainment by the very talented Hoffman Duo. They captivated us all with their
interesting mixture of old and new songs, guitar, reminiscences and humour. It was a great day.
We have also had a few day trips by coach since the last Torch issue. These are always well attended because
we travel only about one hour to a destination of interest and then to a lunch venue, which means we arrive
back at the RSL in good time, not too late. There are so many places to go and things to see around
Melbourne - north, south, east and west, and these well thought out trips are very popular amongst historical
venues - we go everywhere!
Our members love these reasonably priced outings
and we do our best to choose destinations to please
them all. Our latest was held in August, to the
interesting 1899 Bundoora Homestead & Art Gallery,
a Queen Anne style Federation mansion, registered
by Heritage Victoria and certified by the National
Trust. Another two are planned for this year.
Our occasional speakers keep us interested with
their stories, a recent one was Geoff Bransbury; we all enjoyed his tales of motor cycling in South America.
We have a regular trading table and a cake stall with home made goodies, plus Dot's great fun quizzes to keep
our minds active and Norm Furness' bingo calls. There is always something happening at our weekly Thursday
Day Club held in the East Malvern RSL Function room. Another main feature is Greg Durham our trainer who
takes us through a series of exercises to help keep us active and happy. Also, Jason from Malvern East
Physiotherapy visits each month sharing his excellent knowledge about looking after our bodies, and
answering all our questions.
We hope to welcome you soon to our
young-at-heart Club for all ages, 10am
until 1pm, $4 at the door, no annual fee
charge. Lunch is delivered from the
Bistro for a reasonable price if you wish
to stay. We are looking for new
members and volunteers. Our members
look forward each week for a chat over a
cuppa, and then a fun program to blow
away the Winter blues! If you know of any people who would benefit from our friendly Day Club. please
encourage them to come!
Contact: Trish Burke 9885 8884 or Shirley Bromilow 9885 4886
* Photos Above: –10th Birthday Cake and Celebrations with the HoffmanDuo.
VICTORIAN JAZZ CLUB MEMBERS:
$13.00
VISITORS: $18.00
ALL WELCOME
Playing Wednesday Nights - Monthly At The East Malvern RSL
Check Notice Boards For Dates
Saturday 10th September
The Acclaimed Dusty Springfield Show
https://www.trybooking.com/219786
Saturday 15th October
Cocker Happy – A Tribute To Joe Cocker
https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/219805
Saturday 19th November
Temperamental – A Tribute To Chrissy Amphlett
& The Divinyls
https://www.trybooking.com/Booking/219821
Members Curtain Room Tickets from $25:
All tickets available online per above.
Tickets also available for purchase at East Malvern RSL
For all ticket enquiries, please call (03) 9571 2058
WENDY STAPLETON
presents the outstanding
tribute to the songs and
career of DUSTY
SPRINGFIELD.
Sadly with the passing of Joe Cocker in Dec 2014 the world lost the
wild man of Rock n Blues. His music spanned five decades and pleased
both young and old alike. His rough blues style voice and stage
presentation set him apart from the rest. Now you can revisit the
experience that was Joe Cocker, through the exciting new concept band
Cocker Happy.
Only one woman in Australian Rock
history commanded the attention,
the controversy and the praise that
found Chrissy AMPHLETT out front
of the iconic Divinyls. In the
ultimate tribute to her idol,
renowned Melbourne rock-chick
DRUCINDY CHIN-QUAN created
Temperamental, the most authentic
portrayal of Chrissy and the Divinyls
ever seen.
EMRSL GOLF CLUB
The Golf Club has enjoyed the winter period with games at Rossdale
on 3 July , Rosebud on 31 July and Safety Beach on 21 August.
At Rossdale we played Stableford format and the winner was Dave
Parkinson with 32 points.
Coming a very close second was Clem Hayes with 31 points.
We had 4 par 3’s and Nearest The Pin honours went to MOF, Sue
Stansfield, Daniel and Travis.
Rob Pidwell won the ‘Nearest The Pin’ on the Par 4 where the
Second shot is used.
Congratulations also to Dave Parkinson, Daniel, Rob Pidwell and Clem Hayes all scored Birdies during their
rounds.
Well done to all the above players for playing some great golf.
Then we had a very pleasant walk around Rosebud, where the course was in great condition.
All in all it was a beautiful day, we had 20 players plus two visitors, unfortunately just like Rossdale we did
not have enough Ladies to make a ladies comp.
Results....
Dave Parkinson was the winner on 34 points. Yep he still doesn't quite understand that a handicap is
supposed to handicap him!
Congratulations Dave, obviously another great game.
Runners up were Clem Hayes and Rob Smith both on 32 points, well done as it is a fairly long fairly tough
course.
Nearest the pins,
4th hole – Bruce Dawson
7th hole – Judith Dawson
12th hole - Anne Maree Dyer
14th hole - Judith Dawson - great play to get two, well done.
Nearest the pin on second shot Dave Parkinson, very well done I think some of us tried a bit hard off the tee
to help get the distance but found the trees instead..
Safety Beach was an inter-RSL game against Frankston and although I do not have all the details at the
moment I can report our team had some late scratchings and on a rather wet track Frankston where a better
team and had the measure of East Malvern.
Our next game is another inter-RSL match against Waverley and will be played at Mt Martha on 25
September.
To all the golfers out there if you think you might enjoy a hit with a great group of people please contact Bob
Jackson or myself for further details.
Best regards,
Ray Murnane
0412265005
THE ANNUAL “TOUCH OF SCOTLAND” LUNCHEON
HELD AT EMRSL 14TH AUGUST 2016
DRIVERS STILL WANTED!
We are in desperate need of volunteer drivers.
We are especially looking for drivers on Thursday
and Friday nights, but if you have any spare time and
are prepared to drive our modern automatic Toyota
bus please contact Gerard Rush or contact the club
on 9571 2058
Please note special drivers licences are not required,
but zero alcohol consumption is mandatory.
PARKVIEW BISTRO
At the Parkview Bistro the Menu includes Daily Specials, as well as Kids Meals and for Seniors there are
specials available at only $14.90 for a main course or $18.90 for 2 courses.
Open 7 Days
Lunch – Tuesday to Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner – Monday to Saturday 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Also new are the specials below … give them a try….delicious!
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL
EX SERVICEMEN
(INCLUDING MERCHANT MARINERS)
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
DISABILITY PENSION
These are very simple but important questions that you should ask of yourself.
1. Do I suffer from any disability or medical condition that I believe could be service related and that
has not yet been accepted as service related?
2. Am I in receipt of a Disability Pension for previously accepted disabilities that have either
worsened or given cause to other disabilities?
3. Do these disabilities in any way have a negative impact on my lifestyle?
In relation to Question 3

Do these disabilities impact in any way on my Personal Relationships? (Do you have any
concerns how well you get on with other people).

Do these disabilities impact in any way on my Mobility? (This means your ability to move around
in your usual surroundings. Your usual surroundings include your home and places you normally
visit. For example, church, shops, friends’ houses. It also includes your ability to use public
transport or private cars to reach these locations and places.

Do these disabilities impact in any way on my Recreation and Community Activities? This
concerns your ability to take part in any social activities.

Do these disabilities impact in any way on my Domestic and Employment Activities? This
concerns your ability to carry out common household tasks and your ability to work in your usual
occupation.
If you answered YES to any of these questions, you could be entitled to various benefits that are provided
by Department of Veterans’ Affairs which include:




Rehabilitation Services
Disability Pension (New / Increased)
Medical and Pharmaceutical Costs
Household and Other Personal Services
Please contact the South Eastern Regional Veterans’ Centre at East Malvern RSL.
Telephone 9572 3869
Fax 9568 1411
GALA EVENT – PHANTOM RACE NIGHT
On behalf of Paul Stancill, the East Malvern RSL would like to thank all the attendees who so generously
supported the fund raising activity on Saturday the 6th August.
EMRSL CLUBS
President:
Secretary:
President:
Secretary:
Co-ordinators
EMRSL PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
John Robertson & Sons
Master Plumbers
Our family plumbing business has provided a complete pluming
service for over 50 years, from the larger jobs to a tap washer
Call John or Peter on 9568 5344
Manning’s Funerals117 East
Boundary Rd East Bentleigh
Proudly
AUSTRALIAN OWNED FAMILY
BUSINESS
Offices in Malvern East & Oakleigh
1 Welfare Parade Ashburton



Denture Repairs and Relines
Mouthguards
New dentures
Manning Funerals are very proud to be
recognised by the Commonwealth
Dept. of Veteran Affairs.
A professional, caring service committed to your
denture appearance and comfort.
Call
RICHARDSON’S
SHR AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTRE




209 Darling Rd Malvern East
Motor vehicle & 4WD service and repairs
Air conditioning service and repairs
Roadworthy certificates.
Brake and Clutch repairs
For further enquiries
or bookings call
9563 6513
Des Warren and Trish Melgaard