By Casey Neill
Montrose’s Betty Crittenden has been a dedicated Mount Evelyn RSL sub-branch member for more than 35 years.
Yarra Ranges Council applauded her efforts with a certificate of recognition in its Australia Day awards.
Ms Crittenden has organised dances, dinners and social activities for members, and hosted morning teas and fund-raising events, including selling Anzac tokens and pins and poppies.
She has been active in assisting members in need of welfare and other assistance, and today serves as the sub-branch’s treasurer.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson said Ms Crittenden had served her club tirelessly and passionately.
“Betty has been proactive in assisting the club wherever it should need it,” he said.
“Every branch and club wants a Betty Crittenden whose ongoing commitment and hard work have not only stood the test of time, but have also assisted the sub-branch to remain viable and its members well looked after.”
Cr Stevenson said that both of Ms Crittenden’s husbands had served in executive positions with the Mount Evelyn RSL and she had always been around to assist and support them in performing their roles.
“She was part of the committee who determined that the sub-branch would be better placed by having their own RSL clubrooms instead of the shared facilities they had put up with for 20 years,” he said.
“She actively assisted with fund-raising for the new facility and ran trading tables and bingo that helped pay off the club’s building loan eight years earlier than expected.
“Her determination during those frantic years to reduce the branch’s liability and debt still resonates with members.”
Ms Crittenden was instrumental in setting up a Women’s Auxiliary and served as its president for a record 22 years, until the group folded in 2012 due to dwindling membership.
She was awarded a Life Membership of the RSL Women’s Auxiliary in 2009 for her efforts and in 2013 received an RSL National Certificate of Merit with Gold Badge.
