By Corey Everitt
It’s a changing of the guard for Gembrook RSL who welcomed in an almost entirely new executive allowing long-time members a well-earned break with a promising new chapter for the local sub-branch.
In the Gembrook’s latest AGM, president Norm Smith stood back from the role with fellow local Neville Bryant assuming the leadership position. The vice-president, secretary and treasurer roles were also vacated.
This ends the seven consecutive years Mr Smith served in the top leadership role, becoming the oldest sub-branch president in the State at 90 years of age. Of course, Mr Smith will still be involved, continuing his accoladed service of over 50 years to Gembrook RSL.
Mr Bryant has been a Gembrook local for decades, as a young man he enlisted where he served in infantry in the Vietnam War.
He met his wife Beverley in the army where she served as pay officer in Women’s Royal Australian Army Corp.
Though both returned into civilian life, it was only later in life that the RSL became a part of their life.
“I’ve been living in Gembrook for 41 years, but bringing up kids, took us a long time to come around and get the time for the RSL,” Mr Bryant said.
“Being from Vietnam, I was also pretty anti-RSL after dealing with the shaming from the war, suffered in the wilderness for a time.”
It was years later that changed things when Beverly got him down to Gembrook’s dawn service one year.
“She dragged me down to the dawn service, I met them, had a chat and I saw the lack of members, so Bev and I joined then,” Mr Bryant said.
“We just continued on from there.”
Recently Mr Smith, the vice-president, secretary and treasurer were vacated with members putting up their hand, a welcome measure as the outgoing committee could retire from decades in service to the roles.
Ms Bryant was elected as treasurer, Dave Tracy as secretary and Richard Bahnsen as Vice-President. All three have served.
The next task will be beginning preparations for Anzac Day next month, in the long-term the new committee has hopes to further build the sub-branch.
“We are trying to get into everything,” Mr Bryant said.
“Our aim is to raise it up to a situation where we include the community, trying to entice people to come to the RSL on a Friday night.
“Trying to build up as much as we can and pay as much respect as we can.”
Gembrook RSL will run various activities like raffles and baking competitions alongside the regular schedule aiming to continue working with other sub-branches like Emerald or Cockatoo, as well as getting the wider-community involved.
If you wish to get in contact with Mr Bryant and the Gembrook RSL you can email gembrookrsl2024@gmail.com or call 0412 349 955
