By Mikayla Van Loon
Asking for help is never easy but the Lilydale RSL wants local veterans to reach out if they are in need of assistance.
Following on from the terrifying storms last month, Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson said even if they wanted to help, getting information about veterans in the community is difficult.
“We don’t know where all the veterans are, so it was troubling to us that we didn’t know where they were and they could have required help and we weren’t able to give it. So our problem is, it is very hard to contact people if we just don’t have that information,” Mr Dobson said.
For some, the storms would have brought up memories of war zones, taking them back to dark and disturbing times, causing distress and fear.
Mr Dobson said the RSL was able to purchase a generator for one man who was on his own and suffered from PTSD, which was triggered by the wild weather.
But not having access to the Department of Veteran Affairs list of ex-service men and women, the Lilydale RSL worries there could be more veterans out there suffering, not knowing that the RSL is able to help.
“It’s part of the RSL core values, to look after veterans and their dependents. When you look at the RSL it’s been going for over 100 years now and it was there before welfare was,” Mr Dobson said.
There is no need to join or be a member of an RSL to access the services they provide.
Whether it was yourself or a dependent family member who served, the RSL can offer financial assistance and can help link people to health and wellbeing services.
From the money raised selling Anzac badges and other fundraising initiatives, 50 per cent goes to Anzac House and 50 per cent goes to the Lilydale RSL to spend on veterans’ welfare.
“If we don’t spend that 50 per cent on veterans, it goes back to Anzac House. So that’s why we’re desperate to find people to spend it on.”
During the direct aftermath of the storms, Mr Dobson said the Lilydale RSL collected and donated items to Monbulk RSL who opened up as a relief hub.
Seeing the community work that Monbulk RSL was able to do, Mr Dobson said the Lilydale RSL committee wanted to do more.
“We would like to become like the Monbulk RSL so that people have a focal point. It would just be another relief centre, it gives people another option. If we get a powerful enough generator, perhaps people could come down here and have showers and the rest. So that’s our aim.”
Mr Dobson said Lilydale RSL currently has 130 members but only 20 or so will turn up to Wednesday and Friday night events, compared to the thousands that attend Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services.
“People are conscious of it but they don’t come out all the time to the RSL. I think today, there are so many options with cafes, pubs and clubs, so in the early days [RSL’s] were really popular because there weren’t too many places to go, not just for veterans but for most people.”
Knowing that around 80 per cent of all RSL members across the state are over 70, Mr Dobson and the rest of the RSL committee are hoping to recruit younger veterans to take over the tradition of the Lilydale RSL.
“We need younger people to take over the committee and they can shape it the way they want to shape it.”
“You just wonder where the RSL is going unless younger people come in and take over the committee. So that’s a big thing, it’s not only about finding people we can look after, it’s about finding the next committee.”
Anyone seeking assistance can contact Bill Dobson on 0419 588 708.
