What makes the Bingara RSL sub-Branch feel like “a community of families” for local veterans?
Joining the Bingara RSL sub-Branch has seen Steve Adams and Kerri Robinson recognise their contribution as veterans – and become part of a transformative community.
As told to Tess Durack
At a glance:
- In the Bingara RSL sub-Branch, Steve Adams and Kerri Robinson have found a new and supportive home.
- Adams says that organising events as part of the RSL NSW Sport & Recreation Program and Veterans’ Health Week have assisted in attracting new members.
- “I enjoy the meetings and coffee catch-ups,” says Robinson. “I have been in Bingara for only a few months; however, the welcome extended by the community and the sub-Branch has contributed greatly to my new life here.”
Steve Adams and Kerri Robinson both served for more than two decades but struggled to see themselves as veterans. Joining the Bingara RSL sub-Branch community has transformed their minds.
“We’re a community of families”
Steve Adams joined the Air Force Cadets in 1972 and the Royal Australian Air Force in 1975, serving for 21 years. But because he didn’t see service overseas, he didn’t class himself as a veteran.
“When my wife and I moved to Bingara in the late 90s, I became very active in community volunteer work – but never thought of joining the local RSL sub-Branch. Ken Bilsborough, the former President of the Bingara RSL sub-Branch, encouraged me to join, pointing to my 21 years of volunteering.
“He emphasised that serving during peacetime was crucial and it would always be an honour to march with me. This revelation motivated me to join the sub-Branch in Bingara, where I’ve served as Secretary and Treasurer for many years.
Adams in 1975
“We have a member who lost her husband, also a veteran, some years ago. She supported the sub-Branch for many years via the Auxiliary and then as an Affiliate member. Because she doesn’t have access to text or email, I approached her daughter to help pass on communications. Her daughter had been isolated for many years but is now happily an Affiliate member along with her brother. Together, the three of them enjoy sub-Branch get-togethers and support.
“We’re not just a community of soldiers; we’re a community of families.
“We had our first barefoot bowls day during Veterans’ Health Week last year. It put such a smile on people’s faces and we had about 14 people along; everyone could relax and feel comfortable in their own skin.
Adams joined the RSL NSW Draw to Remember program in 2023.
“We have our coffee catch-ups once a month as part of the RSL NSW Sport & Recreation Program. At 10am on Sunday we all head down to the pub for a hot drink. If the weather is good, we sit outside with our sub-Branch sign, which helps other people see that we are there and know they can talk to us. And the price of a cup of coffee is pretty reasonable for what it’s achieving – allowing people to feel comfortable to talk and connect.
“We’d noticed that official sub-Branch meeting attendance was dropping off, but as soon as we included the social aspect and fostered a more informal environment, people wanted to come along. All these efforts have helped to nearly double our membership from around 10 to nearly 20, with five new members having been presented their badges recently. And having more women such as Kerri Robinson in the mix is fantastic.
“We’re proud to play an active role in making a positive impact on our members and in our community.”
“Here, I’m accepted”
With her father serving in the Army and mother working for the Red Cross, Kerri Robinson was born into a uniformed family.
“I joined the Army in 1969 when I was 19, as a way to move out of home. The women had their own corps then, and the fortnightly pay was three quarters of what the men received.
“Men were issued with a raincoat, but we were issued with a groundsheet. Step-ins, stockings and lipstick were all compulsory – but only in certain colours! It was another world, another time.
“I learned my trade as a cartographic draughtsman and joined the AHQ Survey Regiment, where we made maps by hand. That trade put me in good stead for later life. I eventually got married and moved to Papua New Guinea, where my husband had been posted, but I had to take my discharge as there wasn’t a posting for me. When I applied to rejoin, I couldn’t re-enlist because I was a married woman – so I joined the Army Reserve in Albury instead. I was fortunate to be one of the first female members of the unit.
Robinson in the early 1980s
“I served in the Reserve until 2004 when my husband became ill. After he passed away, I found myself feeling untethered and lost.
“I moved around but couldn’t find a place to settle. Eventually I went wandering in my campervan, and found this little town called Bingara. I looked around and popped into a local op shop where a lady said ‘Come and have a cuppa with us’. I saw a house for sale, made an offer – and moved in three months later.
“I had joined the local community Facebook page before I moved to Bingara, and saw there was a local RSL sub-Branch. There was a spelling error in one of the posts and because I’m a stickler for spelling, I wrote a note to Steve Adams introducing myself and correcting the mistake.
“It could have gone either way, but Steve invited me to become a member. And so I did. They were immediately welcoming. I always used to feel like I was on the outside of the circle, but here, I’m accepted and have felt like I belonged from the word go.
Robinson in the early 1980s
“I enjoy the meetings and coffee catch-ups, and I have found more community involvement by joining the sub-Branch. I’m now volunteering at our local museum. I have been in Bingara for only a few months; however, the welcome extended by the community and the sub-Branch has contributed greatly to my new life here.”
Whether you’ve served for a single day or decades, RSL NSW welcomes veterans of any service length and background to join the organisation. Access support services and become part of a like-minded community of peers by becoming a member of RSL NSW.
