Elisabeth Champion
Two long standing members of the Mount Gambier Returned Services League (RSL) have been rewarded for their service.
Margaret Winterfield and Bob Sandow both received life membership at the League’s recent 107th birthday celebrations.
The RSL celebrated the occasion with an event attended by dignitaries from Mount Gambier and surrounds, and some from further afield, last month with the League’s oldest veteran Isobel Phillips cutting the cake.
Mr Sandow is the longest serving president and in that time, he has turned it around.
He said he was honoured to be recognised for his efforts.
“Seven years ago, we almost closed, full of debt,” he said.
“So my committee that we elected at the time, we all decided we would stay on and fix it or close it, and I didn’t want to be the president that closed it down after 100 years.
“No one wants that legacy.
“We’ve been here now another seven years and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.”
He said his highlight has been holding the commemorative events.
“It’s been a challenge but I like doing the remembrance side,” he said.
“Honestly, that’s what kept me going, was when you marched – well, we actually stroll – down the street and you see all those people on the street and you think there’s a need for us or they wouldn’t be here.”
Ms Winterfield has served as president of the women’s auxiliary for 33 years.
She assists in a lot of events at the RSL and is also part of the Caledonian Society.
“She has a heart of gold,” Mr Sandow said.
“She earned her life members – she’s been on my committee, she was one of the ones that said let’s solve this or fix it.
She received an affiliate life membership.
Also being honoured on the day was veteran Roy Underwood, who was presented with a Quilt of Valour by Liz Wheeler.
Made by volunteers, the quilt recognised Mr Underwood’s service as a Korean War veteran.
Ms Wheeler said the gift was appreciated with Mr Underwood describing it as ‘the loveliest thing that had been done for him in some years’.
“What they do is identify veterans, it could be serving personnel and it can be families of deceased personnel, and a quilt is made by these wonderful quilters all over Australia, and we do these presentations to them, preferably with family or friends.
“It’s such a poignant gift, to be able to give, as a small token of recognition.”
She said the quilts had always been well-received.
‘’There’s a gentleman that I gave to his living, his circumstances, his personal circumstances had changed, and he was living a very isolated and bleak life<’she said. “His life had taken a turn, and this quilt became this beautiful piece of colour in his room, and it's just that little splash of warmth that he has now. “For another fellow, he made the decision that he was going through a really hard headspace at the time, and it gave him the resolve to reach out and attend a reunion with some fellows that he was a little bit reticent to see because it was going to bring up some sad memories and things and it gave him that resolve to go, and he met with them and and got strength again."
