2023 RSL ACTIVE EVENTS

RSL ACTIVE AND MILDURA RSL

After a successful first year of RSL Active events, the year 2023 saw more investment by the Mildura RSL into the program, with Manager of Veteran Services and Vice-President Brad McGlashan taking responsibility for the organisation of activities that would support and foster the purpose of the incentive which is a social, emotional, wellbeing project offering veterans and their families programs and activities to improve physical and mental health, while helping build relationships.

 

  • The first RSL Active event for the year saw 40 people attend a guided bus tour of the World War II Historic sites around the Sunraysia District. In 1942 the Royal Australian Air Force established the No. 2 Operational Training Unit here in Mildura.  The role of 2OTU was to provide operational fighter conversion and training to pilots before they were posted to their operational squadrons from which historical evidence, from training exercises and plane crash sites can still be found today, around the wheat paddocks. The guided bus tour was a step back in time.

 

  • The Second activity for the year saw Veterans and their family come and attend a family fun day ten pin bowling. Attendance numbers grew with 3 new families engaging in the program. It was great to see all the families come together, laugh, and get a little competitive. There was a great feeling in the room with everyone encouraging and cheering on each other.

 

  • Veterans and their Families were invited to come along and have a go at hitting the golf ball as far as they could! All participants put their golfing skills to the test. The activity catered for all ages in this event having the driving range and putt-putt course available for all participants. Drummond Golf had put together an amazing package where they had a longest drive, best dressed, and a closest to the pin competition.

 

  • The Mildura RSL and RSL Active hosted a bus trip to the Werrimull War Memorial and the Millewa Pioneer Park. This event saw 35 attendees come together for an informative tour through local history.

 

  • The next event saw RSL Active take over a local veteran owned Martial Arts business. Participants were run through some punching, kicking, and self-defence drills. Participants of all ages got the chance to work at their own pace to work through the activities. To end the day committee member Josh Fraser was offered up in a padded suit to put everything that we were shown into practice. Participants were given the opportunity to throw punches and kicks at Josh. This was an amazing way to end the session with everyone coming together to encourage and cheer on whoever was fighting off Josh.

 

  • September was better weather, so we headed out to JC park to have a family picnic. With the thanks of Intersports Mildura we were able to engage in Giant Jenga, noughts and crosses, and kerplunk. There were games to be played, play equipment to discover. We were lucky enough to celebrate two birthdays with a BBQ and birthday cake. Participants were able to relax and enjoy company of those who turned up. There were many stories told, time spent reminiscing and good old times were spoken about while kids ran laughed and made new friends.

 

  • Participants were firstly welcomed into the gem cave for them to explore all the gems and stones that Woodsies has to offer. They were able to read and learn about where the gems came from and their features. Once everyone had emerged from the cave it was time for lunch. We were all amazed at the food that Woodsies put on. With our bellies full it was time to tackle the maze! With the added incentive of a prize for the first to finish the maze, the kids made short work of it and finished it in no time. With a three-way tie for first place, all three boys were happy with there prizes. All other participants made it sum what un-scathed form the maze with only one search party needing to be deployed.

 

  • To finish the year off a Christmas Party out at Lake Cullulleraine was help. Participants meet out at the lake for a day of sunshine and cheer. It was great to reflect on the activities that we had done thought the year and make plans for the new year. This was a more relaxed event where the participants could enjoy each other’s company and check in with each other with the upcoming business of Christmas.

 

  • Throughout the year, weekly Pilates classes were held