Author: lasantam.sevenhillsrsl

As time passes, the number of Australians who have personally experienced war is becoming scarcer and scarcer, with all its horror and loss, but also with its sense of camaraderie and triumph.

With them will go their memories and understanding of the way conflict has affected our families and local communities. Out of these experiences came an array of memorabilia in the form of medals, photographs, artworks, diaries, letters, film, and an assortment of other artefacts. Each of these items is a commemorative reminder to following generations of this sacrifice.

The Seven Hills Toongabbie Wentworthville RSL Sub-Branch have been busy collecting wartime relics to expand its memorabilia display at the Seven Hills RSL Club. The project started 7 months ago when Joseph Bayssari (Seven Hills RSL General Manager), Graeme Quinn (Sub-Branch President), Peter Harrington (Sub-Branch Senior Vice President) and Peter Sparrow (Sub-Branch Minutes Secretary) went on a trip to Cowra to bid for extra memorabilia at an auction.

Mr Harrington admitted, “we got a bit carried away”, and was excited to unveil the display to the public. Some of the prize items that were purchased include Howitzer guns from WWII and the Vietnam War, a Weapons Carrier truck, light horses with original saddle bags from over 100 years ago and models of various war ships including one of the HMAS Derwent, a ship that Peter Harrington and other Sub-Branch Members served on.

Seven Hills RSL’s updated War Memorabilia Area is truly impressive and a very informative piece of Australian history. Chris Gammage (Sub-Branch Honorary Secretary) has gone the extra mile and worked tirelessly to research each memorabilia piece and provide a write-up for each display. In addition, the War Memorabilia Area features an animated touch screen kiosk allowing visitors to select a video tour of each war Australian has served in.

Curious to see the new attraction, the Hon. David Elliott, Minister for Veteran Affairs, and Mark Taylor MP, visited the Club on Friday 8 December to meet with the Sub-Branch Members and take a personal tour of the commemorative display.

Sub-Branch President Graeme Quinn says, “It is an honour to host the Hon. David Elliott and Mark Taylor and we welcome the local community to come and visit our updated Memorabilia Area. We have already formally hosted children from the 1st Balcombe Heights Club Scout Pack and invite any youth organisation to contact us for a guided tour. Guests of the Club are also encouraged to visit the display. It is important for us to preserve these pieces of Australian history and pass this information on to the next generation.”

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Gordon Graham was 14 when he lied about his age to sign up for the Australian army as World War II raged abroad.

He was swiftly kicked out after it was discovered he was under age, but he was determined to serve. At 15, he joined the Royal Australian Navy – this time his lie went undetected.

His motivation was simple: “My dad was in the army. If it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me,” Mr Graham said.

Now 90, Mr Graham was at Seven Hills-Toongabbie RSL Club on Tuesday to commemorate the 72^nd anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day, the day that signaled the end of WWII.

The ceremony marked Japan’s surrender to the allied forces on August 15, 1945.

Veterans and families from Seven Hills-Toongabbie-Wentworthville RSL sub-branch paid their respects to the 40,000 gallant Australian men and women killed in the war.

Many of those died in the Pacific, fighting an enemy intent on invading Australia.

“There was 556 company on board…we copped a few aircraft carriers and bombers,” Mr Graham, who served on the HMAS Westralia, said.

“We were preparing for a landing in the Solomon Islands when they announced the end of the war.”

Sub-branch vice president Peter Harrington said there had been a “big push” from the Japanese to target Australia, which led to events like the infamous bombing of Darwin.

“Not too many celebrate [Victory in the Pacific Day],” Mr Harrington said. “It was a very important time. There were many lost lives.

“If things hadn’t gone as well for us in battles like the Battle of the Coral Sea, it could have been a disaster for Australia.

“It’s the difference between where the nation could have been. It changed history.”

The sub-branch has also been busy collecting wartime relics to expand its memorabilia display at the RSL club.

Mr Harrington said the sub-branch had got “a bit carried away” at an auction, and was excited to unveil the display to the public when it was finished.

Written by Heath Parkes-Hupton from the Blacktown Sun 

On Monday, Seven Hills state Liberal MP Mark Taylor presented the Seven Hills club for its contribution to the seniors community.

The recognition was part of the Local Seniors Achievement Awards Program.

The volunteer-run club meets each Monday as place for seniors to keep active and entertained when they take part in activities such as mobility exercises and enjoy lunch.

The seniors are entertained by singers, dancers and comedians as well as the traditional session of bingo.

Club members who can no longer drive are also provided with a complimentary bus service.

Seven Hills RSL Club marketing manager Jessica Reader said the club helped keep seniors active but also provided companionship “and a place to forget their worries’’.

The club meets each Monday between 9am and 1.10pm. It cost $5 for activities with morning tea and lunch.

Written by the Blacktown Advocate