Community & Business
12 October, 2023
Pittsworth RSL donates $2000 to Legacy
Seventy people attended last weekend’s RSL luncheon held at the Pittsworth Bowls Club between midday and 3pm.
Visitors from RSL sub-branches in Goondiwindi, Oakey, Toowoomba, Djuan and Oakey joined local
sub-branch members, families, friends and supporters.
Guests of honour included Rod Stirling OAM, assisted by Stuart Stirling, Legacy Toowoomba’s Trevor Burstow, and RSL Western District president Dennis Pollard and his wife Judy.
Highlight of the function was the local sub-branch’s $2000 donation to Legacy, marking Legacy’s centenary year, and the 101st year of Pittsworth RSL sub-branch.
Pittsworth’s annual Legacy Golf Day, now held on Anzac Day, was first championed and sponsored by the Stirling family in November 1951, raising
£60 on that inaugural occasion, and has been supported by the Stirling family and Pittsworth RSL ever since, raising thousands of dollars for Legacy over the past 73 years.
Pittsworth sub-branch president Allan Petersen OAM paid tribute to the Stirling family and thanked Rod and Stuart for their long and continuing service to
the Pittsworth community.
Mr Petersen also paid tribute to the work of the RSL Ladies Auxiliary over the decades since its formation in 1955 with Mrs H. De Vene as president.
Pittsworth sub-branch first president (1922-1935) was Dr R. O. Bridgman who was Pittsworth’s medico from 1915 to 1946.
Mr Petersen also thanked Mike & Anne Vogler for their efforts in recent years, notably in collating and displaying memorabilia exhibits in the School of Arts Hall.
Mr Vogler acted as MC for the luncheon.
Accepting the $2000 cheque with gratitude, Trevor Burstow said Legacy is one of Australia’s oldest and most trusted charities, supporting the families of servicemen and women who have given their lives and health for the country.
“Toowoomba Legacy currently supports 307 widows and 17 juniors,” he said.
“We rely on generous donations and are always humbled when people share stories with us about how much Legacy has meant to them in their lives.”
A torch relay commemorating Legacy’s 100 years is due to finish its journey around Australia in Melbourne tomorrow, October 13.
Carol McEwan led the gathering in singing of the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
Her youngest son Ashford played the Last Post and Rouse on the bugle.
- Alastair Silcock
