By KATH GANNAWAY
AS A survivor of Gallipoli and the Western Front in WWI, Warburton auctioneer Hebert Thomas, knew what awaited the returned service men and women of WWII.
After being demobilised in Melbourne after the war, Herbert Ernest Bennett Thomas took a trip to Warburton.
He loved the place, and three months later returned with his wife to commence a new life, and a new real estate and auction business.
Speaking at the Warburton RSL’s 70th anniversary dinner on Friday 17 July, his nephew Keith Thomas said it was not at all surprising that in 1945 his uncle saw the need for the development of a local sub-branch of what was then the Returned Soldiers, Sailors and Airmens Association – now the RSL.
HEB, who died in 1963, was elected first president, and Keith is also a past president.
The small timber RSL building on the banks of theYarra River was packed for the lunch to celebrate 70 years of service to returned service men and women, and to the wider community.
Guest speaker, RSL state vice-president Major George Logan RFD, spoke of the events and circumstances that led to the formation of the RSSAA in the wake of WWI.
Quoting newspaper articles of the 1939-’45 war era, he touched on the economy, rationing, the baby boom, six-o’clock closing of pubs, and the changes that the war meant for women.
On a more serious note, Major Logan said the horrors of war impacted on the entire population.
“They impacted in ways that were absolutely appalling, and the RSL, in no small way, helped the Diggers and their families, to cope with the tragedies of war,” he said.
“We neither knew nor accepted that the experiences of war continued to impact upon our lives.”
He said conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are now better understood.
“What was not known then was just what it was, or how it would remain with us over many years.”
He said over the years the RSL has been able to help veterans and their families through tough times.
“You all, better than me, understand just what role this Warburton RSL, through their members, played in those tough times and for this you would all be very, very proud,” he said.
“You have done a great job, and this nation is proud of you.”
Warburton RSL president, Jamie Thomas, said the sub-branch was pleased to be reviving the foundation lunch, which he said would become an annual event.
