By Olivia Condous
The Melton RSL Sub-branch’s new president is reaching out for new members to get involved with the club.
Stephen Cook was elected as the new president last month and is ready to start new initiatives to attract more veterans to join in on club activities.
“Our biggest thing is we have to change the perception of the RSL, especially with our younger generation veterans, of being an old man’s club,” Mr Cook said.
“We’ve got a renewed and reinvigorated committee.”
Mr Cook said the club hopes to learn about the wants and needs of younger veterans, as they understand they are different from previous generations.
“Gone are the days where it’s just a beer down at the pub,” he said.
The new president said the club planned to focus on providing assistance with access to help from the Department of Veteran Affairs and help with mental health issues.
“My job and my team’s job is to identify where we can get those services available for them,” he said.
Mr Cook said the COVID-19 pandemic had caused a reduction in younger members after club activities took a two year hiatus, but he hoped that members would return as the club planned more engaging activities.
“We’re looking at things like a morning coffee chat where we can all talk,” he said.
He encouraged anyone interested to check out the club Facebook page and website to find out how they can get involved.
For more information, call The Melton RSL Sub-Branch office on 9743 6860.
