It started as a conversation on a foggy eve in Albury airport as Jim Cameron (Bowraville) and Wayne Mason (Stuarts Point) were on their way home from the NSW RSL State Congress.
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Now work is well underway on a glossy brochure and the council voted to support the establishment of a Section 355 Committee of Management, to be known as the “We’re Here” Committee – with the aim of encouraging defence personnel transitioning from the armed services to settle in the Nambucca Valley.
President of the Macksville RSL sub-branch, Garry McKay, said the initiative was a joint one between the Valley’s sub-branches and was a first for regional areas as far as he knew.
“It is a wonderful way to attract young families to the shire,” Garry said.
“The founding members are themselves all ex-service personnel, who have made the transition and understand the difficulties … they are also proud Valley residents and keen to share the advantages of living here with newcomers.
“Carrolline Rhodes, author of the Nambucca Valley’s Centenary History, has also come on board to write the brochure – all are giving their services in a voluntary capacity.”
Support has also been forthcoming from the Minister of Veteran Affairs, David Elliott, including printing of the proposed brochure free-of-charge.
“Apparently there is a printing press at Long Bay Gaol and they can do the job there. We then plan to place the brochures at Army resettlement seminars.”
In his report to the council General Manager Michael Coulter said “every year hundreds of armed forces veterans, often in their early 30s and 40s, transition out of the defence forces into civilian life. By the nature of their working lives, they can be relatively footloose in where they choose to live.
“It is proposed the community, via this council, improve its direct marketing to these potential residents who have the skills and work ethic to contribute to our social, economic and human capital.”