Collie-Cardiff RSL’s vice president has been acknowledged by WA’s RSL body for his work in assisting the Lefroy and Throssell Street facility.
Grahame Old was awarded a lifetime membership on Friday, August 4, surrounded by Collie-Cardiff RSL president Gary Benton and other sub-branch members.
The award was presented by RSLWA operations manager Martin Holzberger.
The sub-branch’s vice president and bar manager said he was pleased to receive a lifetime membership.
“These things don’t worry me normally but to see that someone else appreciates the amount of work that has gone on is good,” he said.
“RSLs are an important part of the community and our RSL has gone out of its way in the last 10 to 15 years to become part of the community.
“In this day and age you have to be involved in the community otherwise you’d fail, and we’ve gone out of our way to make sure we’re involved with the community.”
Mr Old was garnered with the Shire of Collie's Collie Citizen of the Year award on Australia Day.
He was acknowledged for preserving the legacy of Collie servicemen.
He has researched honour rolls over the past 16 years and found numerous incorrect entries and omissions.
He then researched honour rolls at the Australian War Memorial which led to new honour rolls for Collie servicemen being made.
He and the RSL also applied successfully to have a touch screen placed in their headquarters.
The touch screen has provided entries chronicling Collie servicemen in World War I, WWII, the Boer War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Mr Holzberger said Mr Old’s efforts highlighted the RSL’s role in the community.
“I was the chairman of the awards committee and I looked through all of the awards when we did it, Grahame’s was an absolute standout,” he said. “What he has done – not only for the RSL but for veterans, the community, school students – is remarkable, his efforts were fantastic.
“RSL has about 10,000 members here in Western Australia all over the state, we’re the largest state in Australia, and regionally it’s extremely important we maintain our links to what has been such an important effort from regional areas.”
Mr Holzberger also gave an address to RSL members about the organisation’s operations.
Mr Old said it was a privilege to have Mr Holzberger visit and talk to Collie-Cardiff RSL members.
Know of any award winners in the community? Email thomas.munday@fairfaxmedia.com.au
