History
This is history of the Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch. It's a great opportunity to see how far we've come in the last 100 years. May we continue to be a part of the community for a 100 years more. Click on the images to see them in full size.
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Deepest thanks to Trove for the newspapers.
1917 - Hawthorn Returned Soldiers' Club
In April 1917, the Hawthorn Returned Soldier's club held a committee meting to hold a 'smoke night'.
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A motion was agreed to that the evening should be observed as a temperance night, and that no intoxicating liquors were to be placed on the tables.
The objects of the club are:
-To promote fraternity among the returned soldiers; to endeavor to establish an amelioration fund for benefit of members; to have an unemployment bureau, with the object of placing members in employment; to get in touch with all the employers of labor in Hawthorn district, and endeavor to have preference given to returned soldiers.
1918 - Hawthorn Returned Soldiers' Club
There was a very large attendance at the annual meeting of the Hawthorn Soldiers' social club, held in the club rooms, Glenferrie sports ground, on Monday evening, September 30. The Rev Chaplain Capt. Davidson, who presided, in reviewing the work of the year, made reference to the good fellowship existing between the members. Allusion to the many and valuable gifts donated was also made.
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These included a piano, promise of a billiard table, boxing gloves, punching ball air rifle, chest developers, upholstered chairs, etc.
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The ladies' committee, under the presidency of Mrs. R W Lord, and secretary, Mrs. Pridmore, have worked hard to ensure the comfort of the soldiers, and have been mainly responsible for the furnishing of the rooms.
1919 - First Sub-Branch meeting
The Sub-Branch was possible owing to the generous contributions from Hawthorn residents.
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Musical and dramatic items contributed to the success of the evening.
1920 - Laying of the foundation stone
The foundation can be found on the bottom left hand corner of 605 Glenferrie Road today, when viewed from Glenferrie Road.
1920 Hawthorn Soldiers' Citizens' League
The second annual report showed that the work of providing the branch with club rooms was progressing favourably.
1921 - Hawthorn RSL Flag Ceremony
A demonstration to honor the flag was held at Hawthorn town hall, under the auspices of the Hawthorn and Kew branches of the Returned Soldiers' League.
1922 - Welfare fund opened
Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch opened a welfare fund to relieve distressed Diggers. Just like in 1920s, we in 2020s and beyond. Further detail the challenges that returned soldiers faced are in this article.
1924 - Annual Ball
The third annual ball of the Hawthorn and Kew RSL Sub-Branch was held at Hawthorn Town Hall. It must have been quite an event!
1925 - Novelty Night
In 1925 Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch held a novelty night, when prizes were given for fancy costumes. Who won? What did they wear?
1928 - Hawthorn War Memorial Design Winner
A competition was held to design a war memorial for Hawthorn. It was open only to architects and artists who were former soldiers, resident in Victoria.
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Interesting how The Argus newspaper put a tennis player in between the winning design and the second prize. The second prize winner were the designers of the Shrine of Remembrance!
1929 - Hawthorn Memorial Unveiled
An important day. 4000 people attended the unveiling of the cenotaph at St James Park (formerly West Hawthorn Gardens) was unveiled.
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"In raising a memorial to the dead, let us not forget the needs of the living."