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VICTORIA'S caravan industry has donated $5000 to Bendigo District RSL
to
support its welfare work for veterans of all conflicts in which
Australians have served.
The gift from the Caravan Industry Association of Victoria (CIA Vic)
coincided with the recent 13th annual Caravan & Camping Leisurefest at
Bendigo Racecourse.
President Peter May presented the cheque to the RSL president, Cliff
Richards.
"We're delighted to help the RSL with its welfare work, which shows our
veterans in a very practical way that we appreciate what they have done
for our country," Mr May said.
"The caravan industry is very much focused on improving family life, so it
is appropriate to support an organisation that helps returned service men
and women and their families.
"Many veterans depend on the RSL to help them meet the everyday challenges
of life after they return, and it is an honour to support the RSL in this
work."
Bendigo District RSL has just over a thousand returned service people in
its membership, and more than half have served in conflicts over the past
40 years.
Mr Richards said the donation would go towards the many different forms of
support provided by the RSL, from covering unexpected household bills to
supporting families in times of illness.
"Even though there are various government benefits for veterans and their
families, by no means do they cover all eventualities, and that's where we
step in," he said.
"It may be helping with transport to medical appointments, paying for
essential car repairs, perhaps rental support or helping family members to
visit when the veteran is in hospital.
"My personal soft spot is for World War II veterans who are in their
twilight years – we have around 100 of them in our membership – and making
sure they know they are not forgotten.
"It doesn’t take much, just visiting, perhaps bringing them and their
carers to the club for a meal and some entertainment, to thank them for
their service and sacrifice for their country."
Previous beneficiaries of CIA Vic's annual Leisurefest charity donation
include the SES, Bendigo Health Palliative Care, Camp Quality, the Maureen
Considine Fund, the Salvation Army's Hillskills Workshop and St Luke's
Anglicare.
