Vietnam veteran ‘Irish’ Kummerlowe has been president of the Bacchus Marsh RSL for four terms.
He tells Sumeyya Ilanbey about life after the military.
What’s your connection to Moorabool?
We moved here seven years ago from Glenroy.
We drove by one day, on a Sunday, to come have a look around.
We had some fish and chips at George’s, liked the area and decided we wanted to get away from the city.
What’s your favourite thing about living in Moorabool?
We’ve always lived in cities and when we came down here for a drive we liked the country life.
It’s nice to see green and rolling hills, instead of buildings.
What would you change about the area if you could?
If I was in charge, I’d put traffic lights at Grant Street.
It took 20 minutes to get to the office this morning.
I think the town is coming along … I don’t mind the increase in population, but we need to move with it.
Where’s your favourite place to hang out?
I really like the social clubs – I like the RSL.
Bacchus Marsh is convenient to go north, south, east, west … it’s just nice here, the people are nice, and we like it.
I like the country atmosphere – we’re losing it quickly, but it’s still good.
How have war commemorations changed in recent decades?
People are more aware … and centenaries are getting a lot more publicity.
People are now taking it more seriously.
We should remember and forget, in a sense, but the kids have got to know where they’re coming from and what’s happening around them.
I think it’s important we remember servicemen and women.
People are becoming more respectful and they understand what [veterans] are going through … It took me a long time to get over Vietnam, and a lot more fellas are coming back with the same problem.
What’s your most interesting or inspiring war-related story from Bacchus Marsh?
I love history and Bacchus Marsh is full of it.
A lot of the horses during the first world war came from this area.
It’s a bit of a romantic old Wild West thing – horses mustered up and sent overseas.
Bacchus Marsh was a central point for horses before they were headed off.
People forget about the animals, but they were very important during WWI.
What inspires you to work for RSL Legacy?
I love it – I love the work and I love meeting people.
The whole team is volunteers and we help our friends and other servicemen and women to help them learn from our experiences.
We want people to call in, to be able to help and pass on information.
