The Sub Branch group, assisted by secretary and treasurer Neville Stapleton and the President of the Blue Mountains RSL, Bill Wilcox, have been working tirelessly since May this year, with the help of volunteers, to turn a kit home into a wonderful base.

Mr. Wilcox and Mr. Stapleton are very appreciative of the help received from Oberon and district people.

“We would like to thank Kevin Toohill, the builder in charge of construction, who donated his time free of charge, and all the local businesses who helped us out,” said Mr. Stapleton.

The Sub Branch base includes an office, from which a great deal of welfare and legacy work for legacy widows and returned serviceman is conducted, and a meeting room.

The Sub Branch received a $6000 grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs, which funded computers, filing cabinets, chairs and other office equipment for the base.

The base has a kitchen, which is used for preparing and providing refreshments.

A fascinating collection of war memorabilia will feature at the base.

The collection includes medals, authentic replicas of World War One Turkish and Australian uniforms, objects from the Gallipoli Peninsula (donated by the Mayor of Eceabat), photographs of Oberon locals who went to war, ration packs, bullets, flags, replicas of tanks and aircraft, and Edith Honour Rolls of the Bathurst District.

Mr. Stapleton said there would also be PowerPoint presentations of war documentaries, a library of wartime books, videos and DVDs available at the base. “The videos will be available for showing to visiting school children,” he said.

The Sub Branch can also assist with research about family members who went to war.

Rain water tanks have also been installed at the base making it self-sufficient for both drinking water and for watering the memorial gardens.