The Governor of Victoria congratulated the south-west’s community spirit as she opened new RSL facilities in front of 200 people at her first official engagement in Warrnambool on Tuesday.
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Her Excellency The Honorable Linda Dessau AC visited the Warrnambool RSL sub-branch where she and husband Anthony Howard QC toured the veteran support centre and renovated club facility.
The Governor officially opened the new-look building, which was attended by RSL state president Robert Webster, state secretary Brigadier Michael Annett, veterans and club members, regional mayors and community representatives.
The Governor said it was a wonderful occasion and the RSL played a vital role. “It looks after veterans who deserve a great deal of care and attention to re-establish themselves in civilian life, but it’s also part of the heart of a community as well,” she said. “I think that’s what we’re seeing today. These wonderful new facilities that have been built because the community has gathered around and made it happen. It seems especially fitting to be celebrating this wonderful occasion and wonderful new facility when last year was your centenary year so this is really the start of a new chapter for this wonderful RSL. I’ve had a quick glimpse and the facilities are absolutely fantastic.”
She spoke with ex serviceman and Warrnambool resident Adam Kent who said it was great to have a centre where support workers understood the challenges veterans experienced.
Dr Webster said it was fabulous the Governor made herself available to come to the opening: “There was a fair amount of excitement in the town when we heard,” he said. “It’s terrific the Governor recognises the work of the veteran community, not only the RSL but more widely. It’s essentially a six-generation welfare organisation. We’re still looking after 300-odd widows from the First World War servicemen, down to the five and six-year-old kids whose dads were killed in Afghanistan.”
Club president John Miles said it was an honour to have her visit. “It makes the day very special having her here to open our new facilities,” he said. He thanked those involved in the planning, design, construction and financing of the works which were a major economic development project for the city.