By Tyler Wright
Gembrook RSL president Norm Smith is the oldest RSL president in the state, turning 90 on 8 May.
Mr Smith said he was elected president at a recent committee meeting.
“My father was a member of the Gembrook RSL before the Second World War, where he died in a prison of war camp” Mr Smith said.
“It’s great for me to be a member of the Gembrook RSL now and president for the memory of my father.”
Mr Smith began his involvement at the Gembrook RSL at the age of 13 in 1946, following in his father’s footsteps.
“They had their marches, and mum always made sure that we attended all the marches and anything that we could do to help out, because mum was on the RSL auxiliary during the war,” Mr Smith said.
“She was out selling raffle tickets and did whatever she could do for the war effort, and then we followed from there.”
After completing national service in 1952, Mr Smith became an official member of the Gembrook RSL in the mid ’70s; assuming roles including treasurer and committee member before his most recent six-year stint as president.
Mr Smith said the local RSL branch and the Gembrook-Cockatoo Football and Netball Club have had a long standing relationship, with players on the RSL committee.
“They used to have wood chops, sometimes on Easter, sometimes on New Year’s Day, they always combine together,” he said.
“Some returned men living in Gembrook in ’46 played football…when the soldier settlers come to Gembrook they combined in with the football club.”
Mr Smith said member numbers at the RSL sub-branch are increasing in 2023, with new people moving into the town who did not know the building existed.
“It’s been here since the mid 50s (the new building).
“They used the memorial hall before that, when the soldier settlers came they had more members and they raised enough funds to buy the block of land and build their RSL club rooms.”
Born and bred in the area, Mr Smith said he has taken an interest in everything involving Gembrook throughout the years.
“I’ve always put my heart and soul into it,” he said.
“I’m really pleased the way that all the [RSL] members appreciate what I’m doing.”
