25 Aug 2022
Senator waves the Australian Flag │ The Fleurieu Sun
The Victor Harbor RSL and Back Valley Tennis Club will be proudly flying new flags, following a visit from Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan last week.
While in Victor Harbor on Wednesday, August 17, Senator McLachlan, who was elected Deputy President of the Senate, presented the Victor Harbor RSL with new Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, before visiting the fantastic museum curated by RSL members.
As a veteran who served in Afghanistan, Senator McLachlan was greatly impressed by the wide range of war memorabilia on display and was treated to a guided tour by Vietnam veteran and museum curator Bob Suba.
“I was very impressed by the immaculately curated military memorabilia on display,” Senator McLachlan said.
“It was an honour to hear the stories behind some of these pieces and learn more about the many dedicated Australian servicemen and women from Victor Harbor.
“Preserving the town’s military history and honouring the region’s veterans from all conflicts is so important and the Victor Harbor RSL has done an outstanding job of this.”
Senator McLachlan presented Victor Harbor RSL President Kent Johncock with the new flags before joining RSL members for morning tea and to learn more about the club’s planned Avenue of Honour project.
It was then on to the Back Valley Tennis Club, where Senator McLachlan chatted to members about recent works at the club and presented club president Julie Curran with an Australian flag to fly on the club’s new flagpole.
“Back Valley Tennis Club is a fantastic example of a community sporting group that welcomes participants of all ages and provides a friendly environment for locals to maintain social connections and a healthy lifestyle,” Senator McLachlan said.
“I thank both the RSL and the tennis club for their warm hospitality.
“As the paired Liberal Senator to Mayo, I especially enjoy my regular trips to the Fleurieu Peninsula to engage with community and sporting groups and small businesses.”
Victor Harbor RSL president Kent Johncock said Senator McLachlan’s visit to the RSL was very much appreciated.
“Senator Andrew McLachlan was very impressed with the range of displays and the memorabilia the RSL collection holds. Most of the items have been donated by relatives of local members that served our country”, Mr Johncock said.
“It includes a number of photos we received of three brothers who were all sadly killed in WW1.”
Senator McLachlan served in the Australian Army Reserve and holds the rank of Colonel. He served in Afghanistan and was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.
The RSL is open every Wednesday from 1200 midday to 4pm for the local community and visiting public to inspect the RSL Museum and the club facilities.
Community memberships are available. For further information contact the club manager on 0417 834 579.
Should you require assistance with Federal Government matters Senator McLachlan’s office is always available via: Senator.Mclachlan@aph.gov.au or (08) 8362 8600.
View source