There was an extra reason to be sentimental for Anzac Day at Wangaratta this year: if all goes to plan, it will be the last time the RSL hosts the occasion at its Reid Street base.
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The sub-branch has purchased the freehold for the Sydney Hotel and hopes to shift to the riverside home in time for Anzac Day 2017.
Ash Power took on the role as sub-branch president last month, two years after retiring from his role as chief of joint operations in the army.
His first major task will be to shift out of the Reid Street building, occupied since 1952, and help bring the sub-branch into the future.
“What they did in those days has allowed us to be sustainable,” he told The Border Mail on Monday.
The move has been in the making for years.
Originally the RSL was negotiating to purchase a section at the back of the hotel, but having the whole building will allow it to create a better base for the community.
This will include a function room, bistro and even the possibility of offering morning brunch on a balcony overlooking the Ovens River.
But General Power also wanted the fresh start to include soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He admitted the RSL had been guilty of devoting a heavy amount of focus on older veterans in the past.
The first 15 years of General Power’s career were spent peacekeeping, but the last 25 were in conflict so he understood the horrors veterans had seen – even if the public did not.
“We do have a lot of veterans around and they do suffer because of their time there,” he said.
“We want young veterans to feel welcome at the club.”
General Power said he thought every day about the lives lost during his time in battle and as chief of joint operations, but Anzac Day was special.
We want young veterans to feel welcome at the club
- General Ash Power
“It has everybody focused on it, there’s not many days that can happen,” he said.
The message for young veterans was the RSL is somewhere they would be welcomed and could receive support from others who could understand.
But Vietnam veterans were a focus of Anzac Day 2016 to mark 50 years since the Battle of Long Tan.
Wangaratta RSL secretary Greg Larkin paid tribute to them in particular when hundreds gathered at the Wangaratta cenotaph for the ceremony.
“Vietnam veterans stand tall, you are among friends,” he said.
“We honour your service and we pray for your health.”
Major John Elcock, now the director of medical services at Northeast Health Wangaratta, laid a special wreath on behalf of the Afghanistan and Iraq veterans.
He also had family connections to the Vietnam War.
John Gerbes was given the honour of carrying the Wangaratta and district Vietnam veterans banner for the 13th year.
He said the day was about friendship, although he preferred the pokies more than the traditional Anzac Day two-up.
“It’s about remembering your mates and all who have fallen,” he said.
