On Friday, September 13, Cobram Barooga RSL Sub-Branch president Rob Brown and Cobram Barooga Commemorative Committee secretary John Hanlon OAM attended an assembly at St Joseph’s School.
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A Vietnam veteran, Mr Brown presented to the school library a book that was laid (instead of a floral wreath) at the Commemoration of Vietnam Veterans’ Day on August 18. With the year 6 students being away at school camp, the honour of receiving the book fell to year 4 students Summer McMennemin and Jacob Wilson.
Sub-Branch records show that the Cobram RSL donated money in 1960 (for the first time) to St Joseph’s School for the purchase of library books. So, for nearly 60 years the RSL has been contributing to the contents of the library.
The twist is that the RSL is now specifically linking the donation to a commemoration service, in the hope that the bookplate in the front of the book will serve as an ongoing reminder of these occasions.
The latest donated book is an illustrated edition of the song I Was Only Nineteen, which captures the essence of the youthfulness of the men conscripted into the Australian Defence Force during the era of the war fought in Vietnam.
Mr Brown said that he hoped that books such as this would help to improve the students’ understanding of events that had occurred many years ago. He also said the RSL is grateful for the willing participation of students from St Joseph's in the commemoration services it organises, both at the Cobram War Memorial and at Ottrey Homes, and for the support provided by staff members.
