The Mudgee RSL Auxiliary, who were until recently called the RSL Women's Auxiliary, have been supporting returned and serving men and women for 84 years - and now they need a hand to better document their history.
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For several years prior to this, the ladies were supporting the Anzac and Armistice Association, which was the predecessor to the Returned Soldiers and Sailors League (RSSL) in Mudgee, the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia (RSSAILA), and ultimately the RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia) that we know it as now.
The ladies of the RSL Women's Auxiliary held their first meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 1935, electing the officers; president Mrs K Kellett; vice-presidents Mesdames Holmes and Canton; secretary Mrs Blaydes; and treasurer Mrs May.
They continued to decorate and cater for the Diggers Ball - as they had for several years as the A&A Association Women's Auxiliary - and also catered weddings, other functions and of course Anzac Day for many years.
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They held street stalls and raffles, all to raise funds to cater to the welfare of the returned and serving men and women, while also contributing to the Mudgee community by donating funds to other organisations. And donating their time to visit RSL members in hospital and delivering Meals on Wheels to Mudgee residents.
Currently the members of the Mudgee RSL Auxiliary are few and their main role these days is selling Anzac and Remembrance tokens, which they continue to do every year to support the welfare of those that gave so much for the freedom that we have today.
With the Auxiliary is turning 85 next year, they are calling on any past members or families of past members to rummage through their photos and memorabilia to see what can be found to try and put together a better history of the Auxiliary.
As the ladies were busy working hard at these events they wouldn't have had much opportunity to take photographs of their handiwork, so are calling on anyone that had a wedding or function catered by these wonderful ladies to see if you have any photos to add to their historical information.
If you can help in any way, please contact RSL Auxiliary secretary Jackie Perring on jackieperring@gmail.com
