Gerald Lynch
A documentary paying tribute to the work of the Caroline Springs RSL premiered last week, in a celebration of dedication and passion.
Equipped with an idea that they could make a difference for other veterans in the area, two passionate Vietnam veterans, Peter Burquest and Murray Lewis, established the Caroline Springs RSL sub-branch in 2014.
The documentary was made with help from the veterans council and state government, and was named ‘Those Who Serve’.
It details the impact that the Caroline Springs RSL and its sub-branch has had on its members and the broader community, and the difficult experiences of war veterans from their serving days.
Among members featured in the documentary is WW2 veteran Allan Godfrey, who died on March 20, just a few days shy of his 101st birthday.
Mr Godfrey enlisted aged 18, starting his journey in Darwin, where he was stationed for over a year.
From Darwin, he continued on to New Guinea, the Philippines, Borneo, and Malaya, where he saved Australian prisoners of war.
Living in St Albans with his great-grandchildren in recent years, Mr Godfrey was a very active member in the community and played an important part in the Caroline Springs RSL.
He is also among the faces of the 600 metre Walk of Honour memorial featured in the documentary, which is located in the Woodlea estate.
The tribute was made in 2018, and includes 150 individual plaques, honouring Australians who had fought in wars ranging from Boer War to Afghanistan.
Woodlea project director Matthew Dean said the purpose of the initiative was to honour the military association, and included inspiration from the members at Caroline Springs RSL and school children’s drawings.
“It was a privilege to be able to create a memorial of this size,” he said.
“We wanted to build something that honours the ones who lost their lives in the war, the families who were left at home, and the ones who brought the war back in their mind.
“Those Who Serve is a testament to the incredible work of the Caroline Springs RSL. It not only highlights their dedication to serving veterans but also showcases their pivotal role in fostering community resilience.”
