Veterans mark club’s 60 years

ANZAC Day dawn took place throughtout the Hills today to commemorate the men and women who fought for Australia’s freedom.
RSL sub branches in Cockatoo, Emerald, Monbulk, Upwey-Belgrave and Boronia were also set to hold dawn services, followed by a variety of tributes including marches and wreath-laying services.
For Gembrook RSL, its 6am service commemorated 60 years of Anzac Day tributes and president Tony Borg was expecting a big crowd to take part in the day’s services.
Among those paying their respects was World War II veteran Bill Parker, the only founding member to still be involved in the club.
“I was a foundation member in 1945 and I am the only foundation member remaining,” says the 91-year-old returned soldier who served in the Army from 1940 to 1944 before returning to his home in Gembrook.
“Anzac Day means a lot but when I came out of the Army that was it, they didn’t want to be bothered with meetings.
“But when I came back they persuaded me to join up with the RSL.
“I was at our first meeting and have been associated with it ever since,” Mr Parker said.
Mr Parker was born in Gembrook, in a log cabin on Launching Place Road, and has called the Hills his home ever since.
A farmer before and after the war, Mr Parker left the Army after being told that his occupation was essential in keeping people fed during the war years.
“If you’d been overseas in the Army and been in an essential occupation, the CO advised farmers or other essential workers to go back which was a good idea when I come to think of it,” he said.
Now residing on the aptly named Parker Road with wife Lorna, Mr Parker continues to run his 161-hectare beef cattle farm that he has owned since 1944, and be a financial member of the Gembrook RSL, often giving advice to the board when required.
While Mr Parker now has a less active role at the Gembrook RSL, he continues to support the club in many ways.
“I still go to every annual meeting and pay my subs,” Mr Parker said.
Gembrook RSL’s Anzac Day services begin with a 6am dawn service at the Gembrook cenotaph, followed by breakfast at the club rooms.
A march will commence at 11am, leaving the corner of Main Street and Redwood Drive, and will proceed back to the cenotaph for a service featuring community groups.
The following morning, on Wednesday, 26 April, another full ceremony will be held at Gembrook Primary school at 9am.
The Mail will have a complete round-up of Anzac Day commemorations next week.