RSL to say thanks with music

By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG RSL is recreating a Vietnam War “concert for the troops” this Sunday to thank the local community for 80 years of support.
Dandenong RSL member and Vietnam War veteran John Wells said the RSL would host the free public concert, Nui Dat, at the RSL and hoped that as many residents as possible would take part in the fun and festivities.
Mr Wells said the theme was saying thank you to the community for the 80 years of support it has showed veterans by buying Remembrance Day poppies and Anzac Day badges.
Dandenong RSL president Alec Kowarzik, a sailor in the Korean War, said the RSL was keen to give back to the community that had long looked after its war veterans.
“All those millions of poppies, all those Anzac badges, all the other help we’ve got when we needed it, for so long, means we need to stop and say thank you to the ordinary people out there who’ve backed us up for so long and who still back us up,” he said.
“We’ve got two cover bands that will really rock, we’ve got the Artillery Band, and a howitzer and a personnel carrier from those war days.
“The Army is providing us with a truck for a stage – she’ll be a beauty, mate.”
The concert will start at 12pm and there will be ample cover should it rain.
Food and drink will be available and the main show will end at 5pm.
But Mr Kowarzik said other entertainment would continue indoors.
“Entrance is free and the Dandenong RSL would like to see people of all ages and all types, not just Vietnam veterans, come in and enjoy the show,” he said.
Dandenong RSL secretary John Laughton said the concert would be a big event, with a host of presentations on the day, and a flyover by a member of the RAAF’s Roulettes aerobatic team.
“We are in a great community here and we are part of it,” he said. “We want to share the day’s festivities around.”