A MOUNT Gambier Community RSL official has vowed the 100-plus year old organisation will win the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, which has decimated its financial earnings.
While the Sturt Street building is locked and lifeless, RSL president Bob Sandow has foreshadowed the financially embattled organisation will reopen once the COVID-19 restrictions ease.
But the not-for-profit organisation’s future remains on a knife-edge amid losing all of its earnings and the need to repay its $1.69m debt.
The iconic RSL premises will be deserted on Anzac Day amid the cancellation of public events across Australia.
While the poignant dawn service, gunfire breakfast and mid-morning march will disappear from the city’s landscape this Saturday, Mr Sandow said the Anzac spirit would not be dampened.
Sitting inside the darkened and deserted RSL building yesterday, Mr Sandow conceded Anzac Day 2020 would be like no other.
Given the strict COVID-19 measures, he said there would be no Anzac Day public events on Saturday.
“I understand why this was done, but I am disappointed,” Mr Sandow told The Border Watch yesterday.
The RSL stalwart revealed it was the first time Anzac Day events would be cancelled in Mount Gambier under such extraordinary circumstances.
“In the early days I think the Anzac Day events may have been moved because of inclement weather. To my knowledge, it has not been cancelled,” Mr Sandow said.
He said the Anzac Day events were being cancelled due to an unforeseen enemy.
“It has been cancelled because of something we cannot see and we do not know how to fix it,” Mr Sandow said.
“I never thought this would happen. We want to honour men who dodged bullets.”
While residents were being urged to honour veterans at the end of their driveway, Mr Sandow said Anzac Day this year would be starkly different.
“Most of the veterans are in the age bracket where they have been told to self-isolate given the risk of COVID-19,” he explained.
“While in their hearts they do not want to stay home on Anzac Day because they want to honour their mates, I suspect many people will honour them at their end of their driveways.”
Mr Sandow said there would be no organised gathering at Vansittart Park on Saturday.
“I have been told in writing that we cannot have anymore than 10 people,” he said.
Regarding the future of the RSL, Mr Sandow conceded the sudden closure of the premises was a devastating blow.
“It has put us back a fair bit. The bills are still coming in but we have no income. We have no rental income.”
Mr Sandow said the organisation had a large debt hanging over its future.
Before COVID-19 restrictions were swept in, he said the RSL was financially performing well.
“The situation was looking a lot brighter than what it was. This had taken a lot of work from many people, including our loyal workforce.”
Despite the challenges, Mr Sandow said the organisation would battle through this current crisis.
“We will survive this, it just means a lot more hard work for us.”
But he conceded COVID-19 could not have come at a worse time for the organisation.
“Anzac Day is our busiest period where we can make money – we will not have that this year.”
Regarding the RSL’s employees, Mr Sandow said the organisation had applied for the JobKeeper payments.
“We have been approved for that and will apply to eight employees.”
One of the most pressing issues facing the RSL is the lack of connectivity within the veteran community.
“The veterans would gather here every Thursday for coffee. We had up to 40 veterans here and they share camaraderie,” he said.
Mr Sandow has been sending e-mails and calling veterans to check on their welfare.
“Mount Gambier City Council has also offered to help us keep in contact with veterans, which is great given this shutdown could go on for a few more months.”
People can lay a wreath at the Vansittart Park Soldier’s War Memorial over the weekend as long as they follow the correct social-distancing measures.
