Veteran’s award

By Melissa Meehan
A PROMISE to an ailing friend has John Filmer “hooked” on the RSL.
For the past five years, Mr Filmer, 76, has been synonymous with the Dandenong RSL.
He is the face of the tireless work of its volunteers and is respected by many in the community.
On Sunday, Mr Filmer was recognised for his contribution to the veteran community and was presented with the inaugural Veteran Community Award as part of Victorian Seniors Week.
Mr Filmer said it was an honour to receive the award on behalf of the many volunteers of the RSL.
“We are very lucky to be able to do all of the welfare work that we do,” he said. “All of the volunteers are very dedicated.”
Mr Filmer said he joined RSL board about five years ago, after 14 years of being a member, while having a coffee with former president Jim Hardy.
“Just before he unfortunately passed away he said it was about time I applied for the RSL board,” he said.
“I guess that’s what got me hooked.”
An important theme of Mr Filmer’s work is the community benefits program.
Last financial year the RSL donated $358,739 – in services, facilities, other voluntary services and money.
“The one reason we are able to contribute so much to welfare is the success of our RSL at Dandenong,” he said, “as well as our general manager, Graeme Kennedy who, for the past 20 years and with the support of committees, has built this into the great RSL sub-branch that it is.”
Another factor of success, according to Mr Filmer, is the RSL’s diverse outlook on membership.
Just over 12 months ago, with the assistance from the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Dandenong RSL sub-branch started the Vietnamese “Freedom” Day Club – the first formed for a specific group.
Mr Filmer was also instrumental in the recognition of 22 Iraqi interpreters who helped Australian troops in Iraq.
As for his volunteer role at the RSL, Mr Filmer said it was something he was meant to do.
“When I was just 14 months old I was ill with diphtheria and scarlet fever,” he said.
“I like to think I was kept here for a reason, and that’s why I do these things.”