General News
17 May, 2023
Surprise celebration for beloved centenarian
WORLD War II veteran Len Pomeroy was celebrated at a surprise 100th birthday lunch hosted by his Terang Returned and Service League (RSL) sub-branch mates last week.
WORLD War II veteran Len Pomeroy was celebrated at a surprise 100th birthday lunch hosted by his Terang Returned and Service League (RSL) sub-branch mates last week.
During the belated birthday lunch Terang RSL sub-branch secretary Pam Bell presented Mr Pomeroy with a certificate of appreciation from RSL state president Dr Robert Webster.
“It’s certainly a very special occasion to turn 100, and to be such a vital person to our club in his 100th year,” she said.
“He is a true gentleman.”
Mr Pomeroy said he had been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support since turning 100 earlier in the month.
“It’s been wonderful the way people have responded; I didn’t think so many people would be involved,” he said.
“It’s been very generous; the phone has run red hot and it’s been a great couple of weeks meeting up with so many people.”
The celebration lunch was not too different from Mr Pomeroy’s typical Wednesday afternoon routine. Roger Primmer drives off each week to collect him and the pair join their fellow RSL members for the week’s meeting and a barbecue.
Terang RSL president Terry Fidge said members felt the special occasion warranted better food than the “burnt sausage and bread we typically have”.
“It’s good having Len around the club,” hee said.
“The knowledge he brings to this club is fantastic.
“We all deeply respect and appreciate him.”
RSL member Gary McKenzie said Mr Pomeroy brought a wealth of knowledge, but contributed something far more valuable.
“The friendship is the best part,” he said.
“I’ve seen him all my life, but I’ve probably got to know him best over the last four or five years.
“The satisfaction and warmth we get from meeting Len every Wednesday, the jokes and stories he has to tell, it’s a privilege.”
The RSL has become an important part of Mr Pomeroy’s life, not only for what it represents but the social connections he has forged with his fellow members.
“The boys have just been so good to me in a lot of different ways,” he said.
“Every Wednesday we have our get togethers, we have our meeting, but it’s more than that.
“Last winter they turned up with a couple of loads of wood for me, things like that which I can’t do anymore.
“I rely a hell of a lot on my son but you don’t want anyone to feel like they have to be there 365 days a year. I know they are there for me.”
The connection between members and progress the Terang RSL has made has positioned the sub-branch as “the envy of a lot of other RSL clubs,” according to Mr Fidge.
The Terang RSL sub-branch is one of six clubs which still owns its own premises, and retains its member-driven autonomy without financial support of the governing RSL body.
Members have united in bucking the trends which have left other RSL branches divided; most notably through the refusal to add pokies or sell alcohol.
Gambling and alcohol sales promise a financial boost but have also been controversial, notably due to the struggles with addiction some veterans face in their reintegration of civilian life.
Mr Pomeroy said pokies, despite the promise of quick revenue, were “bad for business”.
Instead, the Terang RSL has maintained its focus on building strong bonds between members, honouring the region’s military history and providing support to those who need it.
The decision to create a family-focused RSL has been one its members feel earned the respect of the community.
“We’re particularly interested in connecting local families with their past generation,” Mr Fidge said.
“It’s working well because our membership is going up at a time when a lot of clubs are in a lot of trouble; both financially and with gaining members, but our club is excelling.”
Mr Pomeroy said the current crop of members deserved credit not just for what they have accomplished through the overhaul of the grounds and RSL hall, but for who they are.
“There’s a lot of change, but a lot of change in attitude,” Mr Pomeroy said.
“We’re more helpful to one another. Even though we had a big membership, we never correlated with one another.
“I think it’s only in the last few years we’ve evolved to be much more of a family group.
“We’re always here to help one another.”
Mr Pomeroy said part of the success was existing members knowing the RSL was not theirs; they are the caretakers of today.
“I like to see the younger people we’ve got involved,” he said.
“If we can keep them involved, to pass the mantle to the next generation, that’s the best thing we can do.”
Terang RSL members have poured thousands of hours in to reinvigorating the sub-branch, headlined by the installation of the W871 tram and an interactive replica dugout, the cultivation of memorial gardens and the expansion of memorabilia and décor at the RSL hall.
Despite their efforts, they firmly agree the support of the community has been the difference marker.
“People say all the time that we’re doing a great job,” Mr Primmer said.
“But I always say “it’s you guys”.
“Without the community reaching in to their pockets, we couldn’t do a thing.”
Mr Fidge said the community had rallied behind this year’s Anzac Day ceremony and badge sales had increased.
In addition, the 100th year celebration of the Terang Obelisk was well supported, Morning Melodies has continued to draw large crowds and visitation to the Terang RSL hall has also increased.
“Around ANZAC Day, we had eight separate school groups coming through who got so much out of it,” Mr Fidge said.
“The Terang RSL is an ongoing, evolving process that will never be finished.
“We’re very grateful for all the donations, we recently got timber from Brian Moloney and we’ve made a cupboard from that.
“With the support of the community we feel that for as long as we can keep doing it, we will.”