Todays Youth Honour the Sacrifice of the Youth of Yesterday

---- Come and join us - Friday evenings from 5 pm. ---- 

New entrance - RSL Tanunda Hut

In 1946 the RSL Tanunda Hut, an old Army quarters was moved to its current position and installed at the Tanunda Recreation Park where it has sat since with several upgrades. 

Throughout the last 12 months or so we have be progressively upgrading the Hut with a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs who part-funded our internal Honour Board Wall, and Lambert Estate winery who provided a very generous donation. We also ran two successful Fashion Parades at Lambert Estate that increased our revenue.

The several Memorabilia Kiosks and Sausage Sizzles we run at Foodland Tanunda and Mitre10 Nuriootpa annually are also helpful in keeping our sub-branch going as the people in our community are very generous, even in the current era of high costs, high inflation and challenges with rent and housing. 

As a not-for-profit organisation we rely on the generosity of our community and member-volunteers to keep operating.

The latest addition today in our Hut improvement program was the presentation of an attractive mild steel, plasma-cut bench seat donated by one of our long term members, Paul (Ferdie) Fernandez OAM and his wife Elizabeth. 

As you can see in the image below, the back of the seat has the informal name of our sub-branch, the tri-service badges in order of seniority of service from left to right. The words "Lest we forget" from the RSL Ode is cut into the seat immediately below the tri-service badges and the wording on the bottom is reflected in the the title of this post.

Click to see larger image

As an aging veteran, I think these 10 words are significant. It's important for our youth to be knowledgeable about the sacrifices young men and women made in the numerous wars in which we have been involved. It's important for them to know that wars should always be a last resort when all other options have failed, that they are ugly, and that one day they could be called upon to do what their ancestors have done - lay down their lives to protect their fellow Australians, our democratic system of governance, and the values we all treasure.  

The bench seat was bolted to the ground at the entrance of our Hut and welcomes all who walk past it. No doubt many members, visitors, and perhaps dog walkers will take a rest at what will probably be known as "Ferdie's Chair" for many years to come. 

Ferdie and Liz Fernandez

Here's a photo of Ferdie and Elizabeth shortly after the installation yesterday. 

The manufacturer of the bench seat who did such an excellent job of manufacture and installation was 

Plasma Art Adelaide who have made dozens of similar products.

If you are in the area call in and have a look at this wonderful addition to our Hut.