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Standing in our driveway, listening to bird song, and seeing our neighbours is something I will never forget.

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YOU CAN SCROLL LEFT TO RIGHT, UP AND DOWN ON THIS PAGE.

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YOU CAN SCROLL LEFT TO RIGHT, UP AND DOWN ON THIS PAGE.

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Pre-enlistment studio portrait of 1854 Private (Pte) George Davis, 4th Pioneer Battalion, of Palmer's Channel, via Maclean, NSW. 

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Pre-enlistment studio portrait of 1854 Private (Pte) George Davis, 4th Pioneer Battalion, of Palmer's Channel, via Maclean, NSW. 

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A slaughterman prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements aboard RMS Mooltan on 12 April 1916. Pte Davis died of wounds on 24 June 1917, aged 39.

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Pre-enlistment studio portrait of 1854 Private (Pte) George Davis, 4th Pioneer Battalion, of Palmer's Channel, via Maclean, NSW. A slaughterman prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements aboard RMS Mooltan on 12 April 1916. Pte Davis died of wounds on 24 June 1917, aged 39.

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Pre-enlistment studio portrait of 1854 Private (Pte) George Davis, 4th Pioneer Battalion, of ...

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Pre-enlistment studio portrait of 1854 Private (Pte) George Davis, 4th Pioneer Battalion, of Palmer's Channel, via Maclean, NSW. A slaughterman prior to enlistment, he embarked with the 2nd Reinforcements aboard RMS Mooltan on 12 April 1916. Pte Davis died of wounds on 24 June 1917, aged 39.

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The History of The RSL in Yamba

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As ANZAC Day approaches it is timely to consider the history of the RSL in Yamba. The RSL came into existence all around Australia to assist the survivors of World War I and their families. Initially members in the Yamba area met in private homes or local business premises, until 1926 when they acquired a cottage, which was also used for holiday respite by former servicemen and their dependants, until it was sold in 1953.

Interest lapsed during the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II, with membership dropping to eleven in 1937. However, the RSL re-formed in 1946. The Sub Branch changed its name from Clarence Heads to Yamba and a new Charter issued in 1951.

There were no official RSL premises until the erection of a hall in Church Street, built as a community project, in 1953. Len McDermid, elected as President in 1949, had a, " tenacious 'hands on' approach that secured the land and materials, the financial backing and support of public bodies, ex-servicemen and civilian helpers". Len and his helpers not only recycled materials from local building demolitions and did the actual construction work, they even sold prawns in Grafton as a means of raising money towards the construction.

A Women's Auxiliary was formed in 1954, soon after the hall was completed. Until recently, the hall was maintained by the Sub Branch and the Women's Auxiliary working together. Fund raising activities such as 'Housie' and catering for community events have helped the RSL grow and made the hall an important community facility.

By 1956 the hall was already too small and extensions to the building provided a supper room, kitchen and meeting room space. In the 1960s it became famous for its Debutante Balls. Catering for wedding receptions and anniversaries, birthday celebrations, wakes, and dinners for local organisations became a regular source of income.

A Youth Club was held there from 1977 to 1995. Young people enjoyed regular discos in the 1980s and gymnastics and boxing and other activities were held twice weekly for just 40c per session, with an average attendance of 30-40. Nowadays the Osprey Day Care Club, which started in 2000, caters for older members of the community.

Over the years the hall has undergone various extensions and renovations such as an interior mural depicting both World Wars and the Vietnam War (1997) and a special Memorial Wall (2004). In 1995 the building was renamed the Len McDermid Memorial Hall in honour of one of the founding members who served as President, Vice President and Patron from 1949 to 1992.

Members of the RSL and Women's Auxiliary have been recognised for their community work. Order of Australia medals were awarded to Audrey Robinson and Daphne McPherson while Jim Watts was awarded life membership to National RSL in 2006 for his contribution to the Returned Services League.

Declining numbers and reduced capabilities of the aging members led to the closure of the Women's Auxiliary in 2013. However the RSL - the hall and the organisation - remains an important community asset for Yamba.

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As ANZAC Day approaches it is timely to consider the history of the RSL in Yamba. The RSL came into existence all around Australia to assist the survivors of World War I and their families.

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PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR CONTRIBUTION OR POST THEM IN THE FACEBOOK COMMENTS OF OUR LIBRARY PAGE.

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PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR CONTRIBUTION OR POST THEM IN THE FACEBOOK COMMENTS OF OUR LIBRARY PAGE.

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The Maclean troop of the 15th Light Horse parading on their horses through Prince Street, Grafton ...

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The Maclean troop of the 15th Light Horse parading on their horses through Prince Street, Grafton ...

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CLARENCE VALLEY ABORIGINAL HERITAGE STUDY

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CLARENCE VALLEY ABORIGINAL HERITAGE STUDY

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GOING TO WAR
PDF PAGE 49

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Clarence Valley Aboriginal Heritage Study

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Academia.edu is a platform for academics to share research papers.

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campaigns; anzacs; deceased servicemen; deceased servicewomen; nurses; diggers; rolls of honour; war dead; war veterans; boer war; world war 1 veterans; sudan; peace keepers; world war 2 veterans; memorials; vietnam war; korean conflict; gul war; war monuments; rsl; new south wales

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You are free to copy, distribute, remix and build upon this content as long as you credit the author and the Register of War Memorials in NSW as the source. For suggested attribution, see our copyright page.

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A letter from Ashleigh Shannon, former Maclean High student, and member of the Australian Army. 

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A letter from Ashleigh Shannon, former Maclean High student, and member of the Australian Army. 

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Click on the box to open the image/ website/ writing you wish to view.
You can scroll down the page, and also left to right.
We hope you enjoy exploring our museum. Please leave your feedback as a Facebook comment and we will add your comments to the museum at a later date.

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Visit Maclean Historical Society's website below to see their WW1 display- Women on the Home Front, as well as artefacts and photos of some local recruits.

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Visit Maclean Historical Society's website below to see their WW1 display- Women on the Home Front, as well as artefacts and photos of some local recruits.

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Postcards from England to Palmers Island 1916

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Postcards from England to Palmers Island 1916

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Archibald McDonald, fought in WW1 at Gallipoli and the Hinderberg Line.

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Contributed by A. Dehnert
Teacher MHS

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The first Anzac Ceremony was held in 1916.

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D-Day landings, WWII
Taken April, 2016

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Video Footage from a MHS History Teacher: Bayeux Cemetery Chapel Cuppola, WW2

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Video Footage from a MHS History Teacher: Bayeux Cemetery Chapel Cuppola, WW2

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Arromanches, D-Day landings Normandy

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D-Day landings, Normandy
Taken April 2016 by

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Taken April, 2016. A.Dehnert
WW2 Display
Teacher MHS

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Artefact display, recovered possessions from Somme Battlefields, WW1

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Site of D-Day invasions, WWII

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Site of WWII Mulberry Harbours
Photograph taken April 2016

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Taken October 2019

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Google Album: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service

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Google Album: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service

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Australian War Memorial Museum in a Box Exhibition
Maclean High School Library 2018

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MHS HUB: Engagement through Curriculum Australian War Memorial: Indigenous Service Exhibition

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66 new photos · Album by Belinda Cameron

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Taken in front of HMAS Torrens, DE53

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Holger Christian Madsen
25th Infantry Battalion
Grandfather to Mrs A. Dehnert
Teacher MHS

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Email: belinda.cameron3
@det.nsw.edu.au

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Robert Edward Tompkins 16 yrs  2/27 Battalion SA

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Robert Edward Tompkins 16 yrs  2/27 Battalion SA