FAR more Australian Flags than usual will be seen flying in Moruya on and around Anzac Day this year.
Moruya RSL Sub-branch president Kevin Setter told members about it at Tuesday’s sub-branch monthly meeting.
He said the plan was to have Australian Flags placed over the graves of deceased ex-servicemen and women at Moruya Cemetery, and at Broulee Crematorium.
He said people who would like to have flags flown over the graves, and ashes, of family members are being invited to get in touch with the sub-branch (PO Box 451, Moruya Post Office) to obtain an information sheet. No costs would be incurred, he added.
“So far some families have been in touch and until now 48 flags will be flown at Moruya Cemetery and 37 at Broulee Crematorium,” he told the 20 members at the meeting. He said the flags would remain for Anzac Day and for some time afterwards, adding that Moruya High School was involved in the project.
Members were also told that it was planned to have part of the Dawn Service conducted in two languages…English and local Aboriginal. Members approved that, though there was a suggestion Maori might be included too.
Members were also told that once-normal Anzac Day fund-raising would be carried out in April.
Earlier the sub-branch annual meeting was held with Mr Suttor reporting on a busy year with substantial work on the Memorial Hall being carried out, including replacement of the asbestos roof.
He said work was proceeding on the revised RSL Constitution. It was being considered in parts after a congress in Sydney rejected the whole.
“Either way,” the president said, “there will be changes to come.”
Retiring treasurer Andy MacKenzie supported that. “Many changes, some long overdue, will be needed for our very existence,” he warned.
He told members that financially it had been a reasonable year with the roof replacement, costing about $180,000, being carried out by a local builder “to our complete satisfaction”.
Members applauded Mr MacKenzie for his work as treasurer for the past 14 years and appointed Anne Thompson to his vacated position.
Mr Setter remains as president and Denise Oliver as Secretary.
