Ex-RSL sub branch president Des Brown selling poppies for 43rd year in a row

Each year, on a white picnic table outside Sportsgirl, Des Brown can be found selling his poppies or lending an ear to relatives of service members, rain, hail or shine.

"Sometimes there's a fair wind that goes down that street - it gets a bit chilly," he joked.

"But you talk to some of the older people and they'll say their uncle or aunty or mother or father served in the first or Second World War and they'll tell you a story about them.

"It's good to hear. I had a lady down there yesterday whose grandfather was in the charge of the Light Brigade at Beersheba.

"It's all about the different stories you hear, especially about people back then who came back and didn't have any help, so their problems remained with them until they died."

Mr Brown was called up himself for national service in 1967, joining the 2RTB.

"I went to Puckapunyal, where most of the Warrnambool and district boys went," he said.

"I was probably one of the lucky ones who didn't go overseas. The first six months of training were tough, but it was a great experience."

After returning, Mr Brown became president of the Warrnambool RSL from 1998 to 2008.

"I retired and just continued helping the club to sell ANZAC badges and the Poppy Appeal," he said.

"When I first started, I used to walk the industrial areas with a mate of mine.

"I got a bit crook later on, so I said 'get me a spot down the street somewhere'. I'm alright now, of course, but I couldn't get around and walk the distances so I sat down there."

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Encouragingly, he said poppy sales had increased over the years, despite COVID.

"The people of Warrnambool are always very supportive and we raise good money each year," he said.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Poppy Appeal, which supports the RSL to assist with aged care visitation, an in-home support service and help with advocacy for veterans and their family.

RSL Volunteers can be found at sales points in Gateway Plaza, Liebig Street, Koroit Street, Woolworths Norfolk Plaza and Woolworths Dennington.

The volunteers will be on duty from Wednesday to Saturday until Remembrance Day on November 11.

Those wanting to do so can also make a donation directly through the RSL Australia website.

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