THE Moree RSL Sub-Branch is saddened and extremely disappointed that the trustees of the War Memorial Educational Centre (Old Library Building) did not see fit to allocate any space in the southern section of the building to allow for the RSL to establish a military museum/war memorial for the preservation, storage and display of memorabilia from all the conflicts that the young men and women form the Shire have served, suffered and died as a result of their service to the community and our nation.
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We have just commemorated the centenary of ANZAC and acknowledged the sacrifices, in particular in 1915 resulting in 27 young men from the shire who laid down their lives at Gallipoli. During the Great War 210 men and women from the Shire never returned and many hundreds carried the effects of war both physically and mentally to their grave.
Also 2015, is 70 years since the end of World War II. During the latter stages of this conflict a hard working committee commenced raising money to fund a suitable memorial to those men and women of the shire who again, volunteered to serve.
They served in the Battle of Britain, Bomber Command, in France, in the Middle East including Tobruk and El Alamein, the Malayan Peninsular; they suffered and died on the Burma – Sian death railway, at Milne Bay, and the Kokoda Track.
Twenty years of hard work saw the opening of the Memorial as a Library and Performing Arts Centre.
As the library has moved on, 50 years later, the building is available for other users. The youngest veteran to see action in World War II is now in his or her 90th year.
They are fading fast and very few are still with us. In their twilight years it would have been appropriate to record, research, display and pass on to the younger generation their sacrifices.
This has been denied by the Trust in their rejection of the RSL request for an area in the southern end of the War Memorial Educational Centre. To add insult to injury, the trust has offered a very small area in the corridor leading to the toilets, to the RSL.
They have requested that any display not to interfere with the movement of people and have indicated the area is not a secure area. Could you if you tried, to find a more unsuitable location for priceless family heirlooms loving preserved for generations to be preserved and displayed?
I have raised the matter in council, and the general manager, Lester Rogers, has indicated that the matter will be brought to council for consideration. The trust, at this stage, has not secured any money by way of rent or grants to maintain the building as is their responsibility as trustees and no doubt will be seeking support from council possibly in the form of a lease.
As chairman of the RSL Sub-Committee I have tendered my resignation from the committee so as not to create any bias or conflict in council.
The RSL has indicated all along that they are willing to share the facilities with other like-minded groups. However, the Moree Historical Society Inc., who has been granted total use of the southern section, has stated they will not share the facilities.
This leaves the RSL, with nowhere that is safe and appropriate to display so much that has been offered. One can be forgiven for thinking a War Memorial Educational Centre would be a safe and appropriate location for this undertaking.
Reg Jamieson
President, Moree RSL Sub-Branch
