Dandenong RSL welfare committee chairman John Filmer with Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre craftswomen Heather Weston, Maureen Kelly, and Rita Beech.
By Shaun Inguanzo
LADIES from the Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre have used their art and craft talents to make 1200 Christmas cards for Australian troops serving in East Timor and Afghanistan.
The team of ladies at the centre have handcrafted and written messages inside each of the cards to let troops serving abroad know their country acknowledges their efforts.
The cards will be sent overseas along with other items the ladies have crafted – including tassels and bookmarks – by Dandenong RSL.
Dandenong RSL welfare committee chairman John Filmer said the club was overwhelmed by the ladies’ efforts and was amazed they had taken the time to be so generous.
“They put in all of that effort on top of their other duties,” Mr Filmer said.
“Nearly every card has got a little message.
“Those that don’t and are left over we will hand out at our 12 aged care facilities we visit.”
Mr Filmer said the RSL sub branch had been actively seeking donations over the past several months to send the troops magazines, and colouring-in books and pencils to give to young children as a goodwill gesture.
Mr Filmer said a Dandenong resident had donated 200 National Geographic magazines.
The donations, including the cards, would serve to lift troops’ spirits in light of recent deaths of Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan.
“It’s not a matter of whether they should be there or not, they are professionals doing their job and like anyone they need support now and then,” Mr Filmer said.
