The War Veterans Home honours its long relationship with the Gawler RSL Women’s Auxiliary with an annual luncheon
A Rich History
The Gawler RSL Women’s Auxiliary formed in 1950 as a team of dedicated women who hoped to provide financial support to service related organisations. The members have been very successful in their mission, providing numerous physical donations each year and hosting many fundraising events.
These ever charming and charismatic ladies have been welcome guests at The War Veteran’s Home now for almost 50 years. Current members have reminisced on our long history together;
The RSL Women’s Auxiliary visited the War Veterans home for the first time on September 28th 1968, and they brought gifts of oranges and cigarettes for the solely male residents. During this period the facility was home to many ex-servicemen who did not have a home to return to after their service.
In 1974 the men from the War Veterans Home began visiting the Women’s Auxiliary at their club room in Gawler. The veterans would present the ladies with toys, rugs and lead light glass butterfly’s and birds; all items that were handmade at the War Veterans Home onsite workshop. The ladies would then go on to sell these items and donate the funds back to the home.
As the home gradually evolved into the aged care facility that exists today, the ladies began donating home ware items that could be enjoyed by all residents, and their much loved crochet blankets are still included in our welcome packages for new residents.
Supporting our veterans today
Today these wonderful women continue to provide support to our veterans, having donated over $2,000 at their recent luncheon for our Andrew Russel Veteran Living (ARVL) program. This donation will go a long way in helping RSL Care SA to provide accommodation to ex-service men and women who are facing homelessness.
RSL Care SA looks forward to hosting many more lunches with the Gawler RSL Women’s Auxiliary.
For more information on ARVL, please click here.
To make a donation, please click here.