RSL needs funds for memorial
Cobram Barooga RSL Inc rarely asks for community support, however, it is seeking donations for an additional memorial within the existing cenotaph precinct.
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This new structure will be similar in size and design to the Hay Ave memorial and identify conflicts where Australians have served yet have not been specifically included on the current memorial.
The structure will display brass plaques honouring the conflicts where Australian servicemen and women have served and died. It is to honour and remember their sacrifice and will include peacemakers and peacekeepers from the Boer War to our most recent conflicts in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Moira Shire has approved the plans and given approval for the monument to proceed.
Total cost of the project is estimated to be in the vicinity of $20,000.
While the Cobram Barooga RSL branch has secured some funding it is not enough to go ahead and its members are hopeful the community will generously support them.
Large and small businesses and individuals are encouraged to please give a donation towards the memorial before approvals for the project expire in May 2023.
The memorial will align with the one in Hay Ave and be situated facing Punt Rd, Cobram.
If you would like to assist with a donation, phone RSL President Glenn Murphy on 0429 169 791 or secretary Glenda Mann on 0407 040 208.
The importance of Anzac Day
Anzac Day is a time to remember Australians who have lost their lives in every theatre of war and perhaps it is more important than ever that we have memorials to recognise and remember the actions and bravery of so many who lost their lives in service of our country.
I remember as a little girl going into the city by train with my mother and brother and proudly waving a small Australian flag surrounded by thousands of people cheering on our uniformed returned servicemen and women as they marched or were driven to the Shrine of Remembrance.
This month it is 77 years since the end of World War II. It was August 1945 and with the passing of the years, the majority of RSL members today are primarily those who served in the Vietnam War.
Many were conscripted into the armed services in 1965 including Cobram Barooga RSL past-president Robert Brown who deferred until 1966 to allow him to complete his apprenticeship in plumbing in Melbourne.
Conscripted into the Army he spent 10 weeks training at Puckapunyal and married later that year after being sent to Holsworthy Barracks in Casala, NSW, for jungle training and when asked by his superior officer if he wanted to go to Vietnam or not, was told, “Well you’re going anyway!”
Rob landed in Da Nang and journeyed to Saigon where his role was as a driver.
After several months he was given five days of R&R but returned to Vietnam again and later received notice that his two years of conscription would end in January 1968.
At the last minute his orders were changed as the TET Offensive was taking place and all service personnel were desperately needed as the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army attacked all major cities throughout South Vietnam, including Saigon in a huge offensive.
Several weeks later he was to travel home with hundreds of other servicemen in a troop carrier and arriving back at Essendon Airport and found his young wife and family tearfully welcoming him home after two long and fearful years.
Rob was a young man in his early 20s and today he is one of seven members of the Cobram Barooga RSL Club who were among 15,381 conscripts to serve in the Vietnam War, where 202 were killed and 1279 wounded.
Memorials such as we have in Cobram are vital to the memory of our brave Australians who lost their lives and should be remembered for generations to come for their ultimate sacrifice.
Please give what you can towards this new memorial.
Women make valuable fireys
The Cobram Rural Fire Brigade comprises more than 30 volunteer firefighters, which includes six women.
They each have a range of skills and undergo the same training, which initially begins with a General Fire Fighting Course over a period of three months and after completion of the practical side of the course, members work with an instructor in Shepparton before getting the go ahead to perform the tasks of a qualified firefighter.
Stephanie Thompson 32, joined the Rural Fire Service in 2006 at the age of 16 at the Tocumwal Fire Station. She was totally at home in an environment where her father had been a long-standing member as was her older sister, so it just seemed natural for Stephanie to join them.
In 2019 Stephanie joined Cobram and brought considerable knowledge and experience to her role and happily admits, “Most of the guys are happy to have me here, they understand that we women bring different skills to the job.”
She did recall, however, an incident one day with a fellow firefighter who commented, “I’m not serving under you” and she quickly responded as Deputy Captain of the Brigade, saying “Well you can get off my truck right now.”
Did he get off? No! He stayed on for the rest of the shift and nothing further was said.
“It’s about being able to do the job and if we are unsure we only need to ask and the chaps are happy to help,” said Stephanie, who is expecting a baby in the next couple of weeks and is also mum to 10-year-old Domenic.
While she has been helping out at the station, she has taken a back seat from operations over the past few months, understandably.
Megan Klippel, aged 27, is mum to six month old Tylan and joined the Cobram Brigade in 2014.
“I joined up after I left school and I love it. It gives you a great feeling of satisfaction when you are helping your community,” Megan said.
“My bother Daniel joined after I did and we both really enjoy it.
“The members are like family outside of the Brigade. Everyone is very supportive, such as when somebody has COVID, there is always somebody ready to help.”
Stephanie and Megan don’t turn a hair when asked to get behind the wheel of a huge tanker on emergency call-outs. They are well qualified and capable, if the men can do it, so can they.
The two mums work during the day, Stephanie operates a dog grooming business while Megan works with a local supermarket and besides running their homes and caring for their young families, readily respond to alerts on the brigade’s pager system to help those in need.
If you think your life is full, spare a thought for these generous community spirited women who have everyone’s safety at heart.
Footnote: The Cobram Brigade looks to start a Junior Program in the new year for children aged 12 years and over.
Save the date
Saturday, September 3: Men’s Breakfast.
Put in on your calendar now. All the details next week’s On the Grapevine.
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