VIETNAM veteran Murray Shaw recognised the problem immediately.
Mr Shaw, a long-serving member of Moree RSL Sub-Branch, was at a sub-branch ceremony earlier this year when he noticed the portable public address system was malfunctioning.
The system dropped in and out in jagged bursts, with an underlying crackle that cut through and distorted the speakers addressing the audience.
Mr Shaw, 81, purchased a new Digitech rechargeable public address system and microphone and donated it to the Moree RSL Sub-branch to use at all public ceremonies and functions.
“The old PA system had absolutely had it, so I bought and donated a new system so sub-branch speakers and guests can be heard much clearer at public events,” he said.
Mr Shaw, a retired chef, served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Once home, he travelled extensively before settling in Moree in 2001.
“I was a cook in my working life and lived in a lot of places. Being in Moree is the longest time I’ve been in one place,” he smiled.
Now retired, Mr Shaw enjoys visiting and helping out at the Moree RSL Regional Military Museum on Balo Street.
“What they’ve done at the museum is absolutely fantastic, and that’s one of the reasons I donated the speaker system,” Mr Shaw said.
“I like to do things for people who are working amongst us for the community.
“It’s really, really good to see this sort of thing happening, and it ensures nothing is forgotten,” he said.
Moree RSL Sub-Branch president Jeff Biddle said a new public address system had been long overdue.
“Murray identified a need for a new speaker system and generously donated one to the sub-branch,” Mr Biddle said.
“Sub-branch members are very grateful for Murray’s support. He is a long-standing member who served in the RAAF, and was deployed to Vietnam as a caterer.
“The new, portable speaker will be used on Anzac Day as well as all other sub-branch functions,” he said.
Mr Biddle said the sub-branch is now preparing for the all-important Anzac Day march and ceremonies on April 25.
“We are planning quite a few things leading up to Anzac Day, including laying small flags on the graves of returned servicemen and women at Moree cemetery. That work is ongoing,” Mr Biddle said.
“There will be a dawn service at Moree Services Club and main street parade and we invite all members of the community who wish to be involved to attend, especially families wishing to march to honour their relatives.”
The sub-branch is also on the look-out for auxiliary members.
“We hope to increase auxiliary membership so we can continue to operate successfully into the future,” Mr Biddle said.
“These members don’t need to have served or be related to full members or service personnel, but who would simply like to help with sub-branch functions and fundraising, especially helping veterans and their families.
“Sub-branches like ours are very important, traditional Australian organisations and I encourage people to join up as auxiliary or affiliate members,” he said.
Interested? Contact Jeff Biddle on 0400 804922 or email sbmoree@rslnsw.org.au.
