South Australia’s oldest RSL celebrated a major milestone recently.


The Mount Gambier and Community RSL commemorated 107 years of operation with a morning tea attended by 76 people.


In attendance were representatives from neighbouring RSLs, Grant District Mayor Kylie Boston, Ben Hood MLC, SAPOL Officer in Charge of the Limestone Coast Local Service Area Superintendent Cheryl Brown, veterans and their families.


Korean War veteran Roy Underwood received a quilt of valour for his service, sacrifice and bravery for Australia and World War II veteran Isobel Phillips was honoured at the ceremony for turning 100 on July 31.


Meanwhile, Mount Gambier and Community RSL president Bob Sandow and Women’s Auxiliary president Margaret Winterfield both received life membership.


Mrs Winterfield, who has been in her current role for 33 years, was presented her life membership by Mr Sandow while RSL South Australia representative Paul ‘Tich’ Tyson commerate Mr Sandow’s achievement.


Mr Sandow said his life membership was “unexpected”.


“I am not here for that, I am here to make sure that we sort the RSL out and it continues to get stronger and will be here and I thiank the light is at the end of the tunnel,” he said.


“There is a criteria, you must be able to demonstrate the person being nominated for life membership has done some good and has further enhanced the RSL.


“Not only that but we have to be able to demonstrate the person themselves are a good community member and we must be able to demonstrate the nominee has served the community well in whatever else they choose to 
do.


“Most of us wear numerous hats and we are there to do the task but not necessarily to seek the reward.


“To meet the criteria and be honoured by your peers is something special.”


Mr Sandow said it was “definitely” the community support and the veterans that had helped the establishment continue for so many years.


“I think it is part of being recognised by the community for the service that we provide,” he said.


“We are the oldest RSL in South Australia and we’re the only RSL open seven days a week in South Australia.


“Without the community support, well then there is obviously no need to be here.


“It is the veterans’ support as well, we are here to support the veterans and that’s what we do. I would like to think it’s both ways, we need them and they need 
us.


“They have done their bit doing what they did for our country and now it is our turn to help them back.


“When we march down the street on Anzac Day and the street has got ample people, it gives you the incentive to keep going because you know the outpouring of community support says there is a need for the RSL to continue.


“There are about 70,000 people serving and eventually they will obviously drop out of their services and become members of the RSL and down the track their wives will become widows and Legacy will step up so there is no need for us to reinvent ourselves, it will happen through evolution of time.”