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G’Day fellow members and family of the Kedron-Wavell Sub Branch RSL,

We are all different, regardless of our appearance or background; even identical twins are also individuals.  It stands to reason then, that each of us will respond and react to circumstances differently. We should celebrate our similarities, not dwell on our differences. Yes, we are all different – age, shape, backgrounds and so on; yet, even this current virus, COVID-19, doesn’t care about our differences.

It is important to recognise that even though we may be staying home with limited physical interaction with others, we are not alone.  Many of you will remember Psalm 23.  In verse 4 of Psalm 23, David writes: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you (God) are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.  Whether or not you are a “churchy” type person, I believe that God is with us; He cares for us; He cares for you! We are not alone.

Importantly too, we also have a connection through the Kedron-Wavell RSL and we can reach out to other sub-branch members/families … even if, just to have a yarn. For many of our sub-branch members, “self-isolation” is perhaps quite a bit “normal”. This virus has reminded me that we should all commit to checking in on our friends, often, and not just this time of concern.  Whether you have contact face to face, on the phone, computer or mail, etc. may I encourage you to reach out to someone you know in the sub-branch and ask them how they are going.  Let’s focus on our similarities; the things that bind us together as a sub-branch. When this COVID-19 virus passes, and it will, let’s look forward to gathering in front of the Services Club for a celebration service … perhaps it will be VP Day in August or maybe Remembrance Day in November – but let’s stay well so we can gather and celebrate again sometime soon! During this time, I will commit myself to praying for all the members of the sub-branch over the next little while, until this virus passes.

May I say Farewell for now, by writing a prayer below and with this verse from the Apostle Paul: I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in Him. Romans 15.13a

Padre Dan Kemp

Sunday 29 March 2020

A Prayer for Kedron-Wavell RSL Sub-Branch and Kedron-Wavell Services Club

Heavenly Father, Almighty God we call out to you at this time and ask that You would heal this world of the COVID-19 virus. Father, many of us are being restricted to our homes more than normal; but for others, the impact of this virus is wreaking anguish, separation and even death.  Lord, we pray for those who have been tested and found to be positive to this COVID-19 virus and for their families. Lord, would you bring healing, peace and comfort to these people?

Father we pray for all the medical/health workers who are caring for the ill, seeking a cure, and providing advice to our communities.  Father, please give them the energy to labour on our behalf.  Please also give them wisdom and insight so that this virus can be controlled and eradicated quickly.

Heavenly Lord, I pray particularly for every member of the Kedron-Wavell RSL Sub-branch and of the Kedron-Wavell Services Cub. Please protect us from this virus and give us physical strength to stand against it.  Lord, please grant us wisdom to heed medical advice and to stay within our safe zones, our homes, as we allow the professional medical personnel to do their jobs.

Father amid this time of concern, please grant us patience and tolerance with others.  Help us Lord to be caring for others and to reach out to each other in genuine care.

Heavenly Father, please grant us peace and joy, for we ask it in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!   

President: Ken Roma                               

Snr Vice President: Peter Cairnes     

Jnr Vice President: Barry Kyrwood

Secretary:  Lesley Quirke            

Asst. Secretary: Daryl Gould

Treasurer: David Izatt                             

Asst. Treasurer: Russ Brady

Committee:

Greg Peake OAM,  Greg Russell, Peter Saxon, Rod Sellin, Alan Walker

Images on Webpage

 https://kwrsl.org.au/affiliations/

THE KEDRON-WAVELL SUB BRANCH WOMEN’S AUXILIARY

The KWRSL Women’s Auxiliary provide support to the Sub Branch and Community and meet every Thursday morning in the Community Centre for a social game of indoor Bowls.  For further information concerning the Women’s Auxiliary, contact Carmel Gould, the Women’s Auxiliary President at the Sub Branch on (07) 3359 0460.

Kedron Wavell Ex-Servicewomen’s Association

The Ex-Servicewomen enjoy social functions and outings, fellowship with women from all branches of the Defence Services and participate in fundraising for charity.

The Kedron-Wavell Ex-Servicewomen’s Association invites servicewomen from all eras; World War II, including Land Army, post World War II to currently serving Defence members to become a member of the association and help to continue to preserve the history of Women’s Defence Service.

The Ex-Service Women’s Association hold a meeting  in the Services Club Long Tan Room on the last Tuesday of every month at 1000 hrs at the Kedron-Wavell Services Club.   Members are invited to attend.  For further information please contact the Ex-Servicewomen’s Association Hon.Secretary email: seckweswa@gmail.com

Webpage  Affiliations Link

Each year, on the 25^th of April, we commemorate and honour the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives in service to our country. Today, most importantly, we remember those Australian and New Zealand volunteer soldiers, who landed on the battle-stricken sands of Gallipoli – what is now called ANZAC cove, almost 103 years ago. We admire the countless sacrifices of past and current service men and women, for our sovereign common-wealth.
Lest we forget.

World War 1 was a war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. Over 500,000 Australian and New Zealand troops were mobilised, and were shipped off to assist in the western front, in Europe. With Turkey allying with Germany, this opened up a new opportunity for the Allied forces to weaken the expansion of the German invasion, and to establish a new front through the east. This campaign was intended to force Germany’s ally, Turkey, out of the war. The campaign began with an attempt to force their way through the Gallipoli Peninsula in the Dardanelles, by naval power alone but early bombardments on the coastal ports failed. In light of this event, the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces comprised of British, Indian, French, Australian and New Zealand forces, with members 70,000 strong, were to use a different method as opposed to naval warfare, a full frontal assault. 30,000 of these men, were courageous ANZAC’s.

Before dawn on Sunday 25 April 1915, the first three battleships carrying the first wave of Australians had reached the coast near the Gaba Tepe headland. The expected result was a swift take-over of the beach at Gallipoli, but a combination of unexpectedly hostile terrain and ferocious Turkish defence soon stopped any potential advance and the campaign degenerated into the familiar deadlock of trench warfare.

The day of the landing saw some of the most terrible fighting of the whole Gallipoli Campaign. When officers fell to Turkish bullets, small parties of Australians pushed inland, and fought and died where they stood. Some men were able to reach the third ridge, and others climbed the summit of the height called ‘Baby 700’. However, they were overwhelmed by Turkish attacks.

By the end of the first day, the Australians were relentlessly holding the ragged crests of First Ridge, digging trenches to await the inevitable counter-attacks, while the air sang with the whine and crack of bullets, machine gun fire and shells. By the day’s end, 3000 Australian soldiers were killed or injured, and their beach-head was barely one kilometre deep, instead of the expected seven.

This battle lasted eight months and would be etched forever in our minds. Perhaps the battle that best portrayed the true ANZAC spirit, is one often referred to as, “The Battle of Anzac”. At 3am, on the morning of 19 May, 1915, there were barely 17,000 Anzac troops at Anzac Cove, when they were suddenly attacked by an army of 42,000 Turkish soldiers. After hours of struggle, 10,000 Turkish soldiers had fallen, and a majority of them lay dead and dying in ‘No Man’s Land’. Compared to this, the Anzac casualties were only 628 men. As the days went past, the cries of the wounded Turkish soldiers moved the hearts of the Australian soldiers to pity. These Anzacs were moved by the bravery and courage of the Turkish soldiers. On that day, they arranged a truce, and the Anzacs helped the Turkish bury the dead. This act of kindness would change the attitudes of both sides, acknowledging that above being soldiers, they were still people.

Despite the eight months of tireless fighting, and conflict, the Anzacs held on to their humanity in a world that seemed to resent it. Their bravery and courage, was only matched by the kindness and compassion they were capable of. Let us remember them not only as soldiers, but as the very foundations of this sovereign and free nation we live in today.

Lest We Forget!

Jedidiah Fesolai