Andrew Marshall is a Caroline Springs resident and the senior vice president of his local RSL. He spoke to the Star Weekly about his connection to the local area.
What’s your connection to Caroline Springs?
I am a resident within the Melton Council area of 18 years, albeit on the border, prior to this I was a resident in Brimbank for 36 years.
What do you like about where you live?
The area where I am residing is a reasonably low-traffic area with good neighbours and with the local councillors being readily available and willing to listen and act when the need arises.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
The only thing I would change is the roads and footpaths. They are managed by another council and although they’re prompt to respond to complaint, they are very slow to act.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
Being retired I find it enjoyable to meet and spend time with other RSL members at our monthly morning teas at our Taylors Hill office and our Friday night raffle at Westwaters Hotel in Caroline Springs.
Tell us about your time/work with the Caroline Springs RSL?
As a past president of the Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch and its current senior vice president I am kept fairly busy with upcoming 10th anniversary celebrations – with a Dinner Dance to be held at Westwaters on October 14, as well as coordinating our Remembrance Day commemorations at Caroline Springs on the November 11 and Aintree on the November 5. The Sub-branch is also in the process of filming a documentary regarding the formation and the growth of the RSL in Caroline Springs.
Do you mind telling us a little bit about your military history?
At the age of 18 I enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces as a Musician for a period of three years then enlisted in the regular Army for a six year period as a Medical Assistant serving overseas in Malaya, Thailand and Vietnam, after that I transferred to the Army Reserve for another eleven years.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
During my reserve service I also spent a number of years with St. John Ambulance at Deer Park, Melton and Laverton, providing first aid coverage at local and country events including the Ash Wednesday Bushfires.
