By Tyler Wright
A Gembrook stalwart has been recognised for his commitment to the local RSL and to his town.
Norm Smith, at 90 years old is the state’s oldest RSL president.
In November 2023, he was provided a certificate of appreciation from the Returned & Services League of Australia’s Victorian branch for 50 years of service to the Gembrook RSL sub-branch and the local community.
Norm who became a legatee 25 years ago, said it was “great” to be recognised.
“Being born here, the same as Shirley [Norm’s wife], you get to grow with your mates,” Norm said.
“I just like the town and the people in it.
“When dad went into the war, the last time I saw him, he got on the bus up in front of the bakers because that was a bus stop, and 17 years later I took over that bus route.”
Norm was elected to participate in national service in 1952; based at the Puckapunyal Army Base.
His father, Arthur, died in a prisoner of war camp.
Norm recalled seeing seeing his father for the last time as a young boy.
“I still get upset 84 years later,” he said.
“One of my mum’s friends said ‘kiss your father goodbye,’ I said ‘boys don’t kiss men’.
“I’ve regretted that.”
In 1954, he was part of a guard of honour for the queen when she visited Warragul.
With his dad a member of the RSL before the war, Norm said the soldier settlers who returned to the area in 1948, after the war, took him under their wing.
“After we lost dad, mum said ‘well, you’re in a town, they look after you and you look after them,” Norm said.
“Shirley’s parents are probably the same, and that’s where we both got tangled up in most things in Gembrook.”
He was also a permanent bus driver for 42 and a half years; playing a part in the rescue of students from Cooinda Campground.
“Wednesday night I was coming home from the Monbulk High School, my ribs were burning that’s how hot the bus [motor] was,” he said.
“Shirley was with me in the bus when we went out to rescue school students, teachers and part owner Gwen. They were all lined up with their pillows.
“We just got back on the Mt Eirene Road when a fire ball went over the top of the bus and into the out buildings; we were lucky it didn’t take [us with it].”
Norm’s roles at the RSL have spanned from committee member to a stint as treasurer for five years, and most recently assuming the role of president for the past six years.
“The kindergarten [has been] involved in it when they marched, we had them march out of the school, [and] the scouts,” he said.
“Once they made all these paper poppies and they put it on a sheet of paper; they decorate the fences.”
Norm said the RSL gives older members of the community a place to gather with social meetings held on Friday nights; all made by him to sit at one table.
“Sometimes we’ll have 22, but they’ve all sort of mixed in together, and if a couple aren’t there, ‘where are they?’…you come around to that way of thinking,” he aid.
“They’re all 60, 70, 80s, and a couple of 90s, and they’re all quite happy…it gives them an outing too.
“We’re still making a couple of dollars out of it, not as much as these other clubs, but to me, our club is more of a social club, as well as return.”
With eyes set on stepping down as president, Norm’s legacy at the RSL will still be ever present in the town as new members join.
“There was another Navy fellow here about 12 months, and he came up and joined. And we got a young couple both out of the Navy, but they’ve got children, so they come when they can,” he said.
“They reckon it’s great because they take the kids in… and one little bloke came up and said ‘Norm have we ever had snow in Gembrook?
“I said ‘yes’…back in the ’20s and ’50s, we’ve got a couple of little photos to show him.”
Norm has also been involved in the Gembrook-Cockatoo Football Club, serving in roles including player, goal umpire and trainer.
He also played a key role in starting up the junior football club, was the secretary of the youth club and an active member of the local fire brigade.
“Mum brought me home to Gembrook on Puffing Billy,” Norm said.
“[I] have lived her ever since.”
