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From:
Date: 1/7/2002
Time: 10:30:00 PM
Remote Name: 198.142.199.78
One would think, and rightly so, that the RSL are the 'keepers of the past' traditions of the AIF and everything to do with the preservation and promotion of Australia's military history. But, I am afraid to say, good readers of this discussion, that there are 'pockets' of RSL sub-branches who don't really 'give a toss' about 'those who went before us and all they stood for,' and it would appear that as long as they (the RSL) put on a two up game and free beer on ANZAC Day, then that is their contribution to 'commemoration' done for another 365 days. See how some of you would fair to have your long standing reputation as a very much respected military historian questioned by the publishing of defaming 'letters to the editor' in regional newspapers and having terms such as 'Jack boot and big stick approach' levelled at you for all and sundry to read, and all the time these LIES were (and perhaps still are, but who gives a toss anyway) being propagated and spread by members of the RSL of Australia. Another (TRUE) case: in 2001 the RSL district council of a large regional city in New South Wales (Newcastle) decided to move away from the 'traditional' venue for the ANZAC Day dawn service (which was held in Civic Park for the previous 20 or 30 years) when some boffin decided that it would be nice and far better to have the dawn service at Nobbys Beach (at Newcastle) so that the dawn landing of the ANZACs at Gallipoli could be replicated. Good thinking, you may well say. But, dear readers, Gallipoli is on the WEST coast of Turkey and the sun would not (DOES NOT) rise over the water but over the ridges. This is to say, that when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, the sun was rising in front of them, not from behind them. Well meaning people no doubt, but, yet another example of incompetency. And I have plenty more to tell you about from my experiences.