Forbes Returned Servicemen’s League sub branch celebrated a centenary since its formation on Saturday night, with a formal dinner at the Services Memorial Club.
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Sub branch president Michael Walker welcomed guests - ex-service men and women attending included World War II servicewoman Mary Meagher, veterans of Korea and Vietnam.
Western Districts RSL President Greg Salmon, Mayor Graeme Miller, Member for Orange Philip Donato and descendants of some of the sub-branch’s executive over the years were also in attendance.
Mr Walker outlined the history of the Forbes branch, which was certified on 1 June 1917 and hosted Anzac Day commemorations in Forbes for the first time in 1918.
He spoke of the many significant events of the year 1917, including a number of devastating battles on the Western Front (see Margaret Adam’s piece on the battle of Messines on page 15 today).
T E Drane was the founding secretary and key to the formation of the branch, his descendants Geoffrey Drane and Margie Drane were able to attend the dinner.
Major E P McDonnell, who returned to Forbes after serving 12 months with the Army Medical Corps in Egypt and other places, took an interest alongside Mr Drane in forming the sub-branch.
It had its first annual general meeting in February 1919, with P McNamara elected president and T E Drane secretary.
Mayor Graeme Miller and Member for Orange Philip Donato spoke on the night, reflecting on how important the organisation would have been to the service personnel returning from that conflict and then from the later wars and peace-keeping operations.
“One can only imagine when this sub-branch was formed, it would have been essential,” Mr Donato said.
“To return, to share the mateship and camaraderie, remember their fallen comrades.”
Mr Donato reflected that the original motto of The Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilence” was penned in great wisdom.
“It is something we should remember and hold close at heart today,” he said.
A Rising Sun sculpture made by Sculpture Forbes winning artist Damian Vick, who made The Hunter, was a feature of evening’s settings, on display at the front of the room.
More photos from Saturday night’s dinner on page 14 today.
