Melbourne RSL sub-branch pleads with council not to withdraw Anzac Day event support

A bayside RSL sub-branch says its local council is withdrawing in-kind support for Anzac Day events from next year, forcing it to find tens of thousands of dollars it says should go to veterans.

Frankston RS: sub-branch president Kevin Hillier. Picture: Chris Eastman

An RSL branch is pleading with Frankston Council to keep supporting Anzac Day events so it can retain more money for veterans.

The council helped fund Centenary of Gallipoli commemorations in 2015, and has provided things like chairs, a lectern and an event officer for Anzac Day activities.

But the council has told the Frankston RSL Sub-Branch that it will phase out its “in-kind support”, with the event officer not being provided beyond this year.

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And council equipment including chairs and lectern will not be lent out after the 2020 ceremony.

Sub-branch president Kevin Hillier said it would cost the RSL about $35,000 to stage Anzac Day activities this month, including costs for audio and live-streaming to schools and aged care homes.

“It will have to come out of funding that normally would go to veterans,” he said.

“The services held on these commemorative days are not just for the members of the Frankston RSL, but are for all the local residents.”

Mr Hillier said the RSL had applied for a community grant for the event, but it was rejected, with council saying the RSL had applied for a one-off event when the grants are for ongoing events.

Frankston Mayor Michael O'Reilly. Picture: News Corp Australia

Frankston Mayor Michael O’Reilly said that funding was given for the specific purpose of the Centenary commemorations, “after which council support returned to the levels afforded to all community groups”.

“Council has previously provided in-kind support to the Frankston RSL in the form of tables, chairs and a lectern for the commemorative services,” he said.

Cr O’Reilly said that council recognised the importance and significance in commemorating Anzac Day, and how valuable these commemorations were to the community.

“As with other community groups who organise events in Frankston City, the events team and other council departments will continue to work with the Frankston RSL,” he said.

In a letter to the RSL, Cr O’Reilly said savings on traffic management could be made by relocating the march to local roads only.

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