General News
11 February, 2021
Terang RSL selects new president at general meeting
THE Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch has elected a new president among a slew of changes at its annual general meeting this week, with members of the sub-branch feeling optimistic for the future.
THE Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) sub-branch has elected a new president among a slew of changes at its annual general meeting this week, with members of the sub-branch feeling optimistic for the future.
Terry Fidge, a Terang local who has spent his life in the area, was elected as president.
Mr Fidge said the only time he has spent time away was when he was conscripted to a tour of Vietnam at the end of the 60s.
“As a Vietnam veteran, I have an interest not only in the past history but also the future as I have two nephews in the Armed Forces,”he said.
Mr Fidge said the Annual General Meeting (AGM) was a hive of ideas and positivity on Monday night as committee positions were filled with “a very enthusiastic group of members” who prioritise
working together with their focus on returned servicemen and families.
“I’m very optimistic with our group who have lots of ideas for us to sort out and move forward in to 2021 with a lot of confidence,” he said.
“It is all systems go and we’ve got lots of things happening.
“By having our committee spread the workload across a lot of people, and having people back up positions, we’ll be able to know we’ve got somebody backing us to make sure things keep moving.
“That’s the way we want to structure it and the way we’ve done it, so everybody compliments each other and we work as a group.”
Mr Fidge has been involved with the RSL and Legacy since the mid-70s when he returned home from Vietnam, and was honoured to be elected Terang RSL president during a historic year for the sub-branch.
“This year is a particularly important year for the Terang RSL, as we received our charter on May 1, 1921,” he said.
“All going well with COVID-19, we will have a dawn service for ANZAC Day (April 25) and afterwards incorporate our centenary birthday on the same day with a cake cutting and entertainment at the Terang RSL hall.”
Mr Fidge expressed thanks to outgoing president Steve Bloxham for his involvement in memorabilia and for organising fundraising to undertake renovations within the clubhouse and for the tram restoration project.
Following their efforts to restore the tram, the sub-branch was named the Corangamite Shire event of the year winners at the 2021 Australia Day Awards.
“The members have taken that project on board, with the volunteer group contributing 5500 man-hours towards restoration efforts since the tram arrived,” he said.
“The late Les Morgan organised the tram renovations. He unfortunately passed away in January last year, but we’ve continued on and what we have today is his vision and what he would like to see here.
“It has been a long road but the compliments we are getting from within the community is really good.”
Mr Fidge thanked the community for its ongoing support.
“The community support has been great,”he said.
“We have a lot of plans in the works and we’re all looking forward to having guests and groups coming through to experience the memorabilia in the hall, the memorial gardens and of course the tram.”
The RSL hall and tram is open to the public every Wednesday from 10am to 3pm, and visiting groups can be accommodated by contacting Terry Fidge on 0497 575 348.
