Dandenong RSL treasurer John Filmer, Iraqi interpreter Hadem Abdullah, Lyn Guy and Vietnam Veteran Ian Guy were kept busy last week packing care packages to send to troops in Afghanistan. 25221 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Melissa Meehan
AUSTRALIAN troops in Afghanistan will soon be happy little vegemites thanks to care packages sent by the Dandenong RSL.
Dandenong RSL treasurer John Filmer said this was the second year the RSL had sent gifts to troops on duty overseas.
“We did it last year and got a lot of wonderful feedback from the troops, so we wanted to do it again,” Mr Filmer said.
“A number of goods were donated, and we were lucky enough to receive a number of donations from the Dandenong Reject Shop which was great.”
He said that the care packages included vegemite, other unperishable foods and pencils and colouring in books for children.
“The troops love being able to give the local kids presents, especially around this time of year,” Mr Filmer said.
Ian Guy, former member of 108 Field Battery, Royal Australian Artillery, said the RSL’s care packages took his memory back 41 years.
“I received something similar to this when I was serving in Vietnam,” Mr Guy said.
The project aims to look after 44 personnel serving in Afghanistan.
Iraqi interpreter Hadem Abdullah said he was only too pleased to help put together the care packages for the troops.
“They really enjoy the packages we send,” Mr Abdullah said.
