This photograph was taken on the Portico of the Soldiers Memeorial Institute Pall Mall Bendigo. The man in the photo is "William James Norman Smart" known by all as Norm. He was a legend in Bendigo RSL Appeals having raised near $250,000.00 over the years. His selling spot was Coles Central where he sat for up to a fortnight each Appeal, ANZAC and Poppy. He had a loyal clientele who only bought their tokens from Norm. On ANZAC day especially he would come into the kitchen at the Soldiers Memorial about 5.00am and sort his tray out while others there were making the Rum and Coffee. He would then go out and walk among the people before the Dawn Service selling tokens. Norm was still selling tokens after he turned 90 years. he retired from all Volunteer work in the Bendigo RSL in August 2015. Refer Cat No 8131.2P for Norms RSL history. Norm enlisted in the CMF on 5.11.1941 No V245294 in the 38th Battalion, the unit later moved to WA by train 30.3.1942, he transferred to the AIF No VX88596 on 31.7.1942, they entrained back to Vic on 19.1.1943, then entrained again to the NT 0n 18.6.1943, transfer to the AIF No VX88596 on 8.8.1944 in the 11th Aust Infantry Battalion, embark for New Britain 25.11.1944, embark from Rabaul for Aust on 8.1.1946, discharged from the AIF on 5.2.1946..1) Photograph, gold timber frame with photo in a black inset showing a man in a hat with a Tray of poppies for sale, he is wearing a name tag and a red poppy. .2) Funeral card of "W.J.N. Smart", double sided with a portrait one side and wedding photo the other.On the name tag, "RSL Welfare Appeals - RSL unpaid collector", name hand written, "Norm Smart"brsl, smirsl, photograph, appeals, norm

Surveyors report 1986 regarding the restoration of the Bendigo Cenotaph continued on from Cat No 8255. The document starts with a report to a Council meeting held on August 18th 1986. This is a more detailed report of the first by Dr. A.H. Spry (AMDEL) followed by Mr W. Barton City Engineers Department. The state of the Cenotaph was also compounded by it's situation re the Bendigo Creek. Main points where. The Cenotaph is sited on the Bridge over the Creek not alongside it as was supposed. The Cenotaph concrete foundation was resting on the old timber decking which is in an advanced state of decay among 5 main points. Report goes on with points. Conclusion; "It would of course be necessary to demolish the Cenotaph to carry out this work". Estimate of costs in brief. 1. Bridge repairs $72,000.00. 2. Cenotaph repairs. - Demolish & rebuild $110,000.00. Options - There are only two options (as per estimate) or demolish and relocate to another location under 3 sections (a) (b) (c). Recommendations; Motions referred to Estimates 1986/87 and RSL for comments - 1 carried, 1 lost.Document, paper 3 pages foolscap size, all print in black, copy of original, stapled with the pages is a Bendigo City Compliments Card in blue text.Main points, "Building Surveyors report - 8th September 1986 - B.18/86 - restoration of Cenotaph (32.7.1)"document, surveyor, cenotaph, brsl, smirsl

The Tom Flood Sports Centre was originally called The Bendigo Show Grounds. This plaque was unveiled by the City of Greater Bendigo & the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch to Commemorated the venue as a "Training Camp" during WW2. Order of Service was, Welcome, Mr Alan Holmes (President Bendigo RSL) Introduction of Recruits & Others associated with the Camp. A brief history of the Camp and Anecdotes was read by Mr Alan Holmes. Presentation and unveiling of the Plaque by Cr Barry Ackerman, Mayor City of Greater Bendigo. The wording: "Commemorating this site as an Australian Imperial Force Training Camp during WW2. "To the following Corps we pay Tribute" "10th AIF Training Depot" "Australian Army Medical Corps" "Australian Army Ordnance Corps" "Australian Army Service Corp". "Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers" Prayer of Thanksgiving & Commemoration by; Rev J. South. This was followed the "ODE, Last Post, One minutes Silence, Reveille and The National Anthem. As far as records available the Camp was first set up on 17.6.1940 with an Advance Party. The last Troops left there on 30.4.1943 for Ingleburn NSW, the Camp was vacated in May 1943. Pamphlet white paper, A4 folded making 4 pages, all print in black.On the front, "This Commemorative Plaque was unveiled at the Tom Flood Sports Centre Park Road Bendigo Sunday 27th April 1997"brsl, smirsl, plaque, tom flood, training camp

This comprehensive booklet covers every aspect of benefits and Repatriation entitlements and payments available to ex Servicemen and Women, War Service homes and loans, listing of all Repatriation Hospitals and Clinics in all States except NT. Items re RSL Appeals, precedent of wearing medals and awards, listings of major Military events.Booklet card covers, front is in red, blue and white titled "The Road Back", the rear has an image of the Soldiers Memorial Institute Bendigo with the Post Office behind. There are 64 numbered pages, center of the booklet is a B & W photo of the Queen and next page the Duke of Edinburgh, there are pages of advertisements in blue and others in B & W of Bendigo Businesses.booklet, repatriation, benefits, brsl, smirsl

RSL Anzac of the Year award for 2007, awarded to Susan Maree Arthur. Printed on cream paper.Signed by National President and Secretary.documents-certificates, frame accessories, rsl, anzac, brsl, smirsl

Bendigo's Cenotaph by Dacre Smyth 1988. Bendigo's War Memorial in the city centre is a half size replica of the famous Cenotaph in London. Some 4-1/2 metres high, the Bendigo RSL President described it as the best country Memorial in Australia during its rededication just before ANZAC Day 1988 following its extensive refurbishment. It had first been dedicated in June 1957 and it is normally flood lit at night. It is not known for sure when the painting was donated to the Bendigo RSL but it was hanging in the Foyer years before the Soldiers Memorial Institute became a Museum in 1998. Frame - Light timber, gold trim, no glass. Original coloured oil painting of the Cenotaph, Bendigo in foreground with Charing Cross buildings & fountain in the background. Label black print on gold bottom centre: "Bendigo's Cenotaph" Rear of painting hand written in black felt pen & black ink: "History of the Cenotaph by Dacre Smyth, 1988" cenotaph, bendigo, painting, brsl, smirsl

The Bendigo Womens Auxiliary was actually formed in 1936 and went through until 2002. Due the Soldiers Memorial Institute becoming a Museum and the formation of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc the Auxiliary decided to cease fund raising. Their last meeting was held on 26.8.2002. During their time at SMI the Ladies conducted weddings, functions and other fund raisers to support the Bendigo RSL. At the RSL Annual Dinner each year which the ladies catered for they would present the RSL with a cheque. The Auxiliary were awarded 6 Life Memberships and two Certificates of Merit with gold badge.Charter, small brown section timber frame with details on white background. Top has the RSL badge with flags either side followed by the wording establishing the Auxiliary. Main wording is in gold colour.Main wording, " Victorian Branch hereby establishes and constitutes the Bendigo Womens Auxiliary" "Dated at Melb the 25th Day of May 1994" "Bruce Ruxton State President" "......... State Secretary"brsl, smirsl, charter, auxiliary, wabrsl

The Certificate relates to The Bendigo RSL/Bendigo District RSL being 100 years old on 28th September 2016. The certificate talks about the Objects of the League and changes over the years. The League itself was formed in 1916. Refer Cat No’s 8000.2, 8019, 8020, 8073P. This item is on display in the Foyer entrance to the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc Havilah Road.Framed Certificate, frame is light brown timber, certificate has a white overlay, the certificate is white background with all print in black, there is a faint background section of the RSL Badge in colour on the left hand side, bottom RH side is a red seal. Certificate is signed and dated.Main heading is, “The Returned & Services League of Australia”. Signed by the National President of the RSL, “Greg Melick AO - 13 April 2021”brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, certificate, 100 years

This is a very early photo of the Nissan Hut which became the HQ of the Eaglehawk RSL Sub Branch officially opened in 1957. Refer Cat No 8118 Plaque re the opening & 8110 re Sub Branch History.Photograph B & W showing a Nissan Hut on a block, two men are standing in the far right corner.brsl, smirsl, ehrsl, photograph, nissan

The photographs were taken at a Bendigo RSL Sub Branch Annual Dinner held in the Soldiers Memorial Institute Building Main Hall. The Bendigo Womens RSL Auxiliary catered for their Annual Dinners. .1) Photo left - right. Norm Smart thanking the Ladies for their efforts and Propose a Toast to the Ladies. Peter Dodd, Greta Balsillie, Jaqui Stevens, Christine Bates, Margaret Dodd, Margaret Andrea, Lyn Boulton, Dorothy Osgood. .2) Greta Balsillie, Lyn Boulton, Margaret Andrea. .3) Dorothy Osgood, Margaret Dodd. The date is possibly 1998. Norm Smart refer Cat No 8131.2P, Ladies Auxiliary Refer Cat No 8021, 8107.Three colour photographs relating to Bendigo RSL Sub Branch Annual Dinners. .1) Shows a man in shirt and tie with microphone with another man and 7 Ladies outside a doorway. .2) Shows 3 of the ladies in the kitchen at SMI. .3) Shows 2 of the Ladies in the same place. Text in red pen on rear of .1)On rear of .1) is a list of the people in the photo.brsl, smirsl, anuual, dinner, auxiliary, wabrsl

This item is on display in the gardens of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Havilah Road. Refer photo .1) for details re manufacture, history and use..1) Plaque metal black on a stand with white text re details of the item. .2) Naval AN 40/60 Bofor Gun Mount Model MKV11 painted blueish colour, barrel black, sits on its traversing base.brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, bofor, 40 mm, naval

This item is on display in the gardens of the Bendigo District RSL Havilah Road. Refer photo .1) for details re manufacture, history and use..1) Plaque metal black on a stand with white text re details of the item. .2) Bofor 40 mm Anti Aircraft Gun M11 painted light green, mounted on a four wheeled base towed item.brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, bofor, 40 mm, anti aircraft

This item is on display in the gardens of the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Havilah Road. Refer photo .1) for details re manufacture, history and use..1) Plaque metal black on a stand with white text re details of the item. .2) Bushmaster BMI, Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) has multiple variation uses, painted brown on 4 rubber wheels.brsl, smirsl, bdrslinc, vehicle, bushmaster, mobility

Cash and Cheque deposit book Australian and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd used by the Bendigo RSL Womens Auxiliary. The first entry is on 6.11.1975 for $389.30 being for cards, catering and a donation. The last is 2.12.1977 for $51.00 being for a donation.Deposit book blue covers ANZ Banking Group, all print in black, entries are blue, all pages left are duplicate carbon copies, there are a number of blue credit slips pinned to pages, the blue carbon paper at the end of the book are gone, pages are stamped in a red ANZ stamp.On the front in blue pen, "Auxiliary"brsl, smirsl, auxiliary, deposit, cheque, wabrsl

This newsletter the "Diggers Digest" from the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch is midterm 1999. Some of the main points are; President Holmes message re the introduction of Affiliate Members to the RSL at the AGM on Feb 8th and the full Committee that was elected, 8 Office Bearers and 12 General Committee. Anzac Day led by 108 year old Jack Lockett who recieved the 80th Anniversary medal at the service on behalf of the Prime Minister, guest speaker was Dick Levy RAAF. The work of the Central Victorian Veterans Support Centre (C.V.V.S.C) in gaining Pensions and Welfare for Ex Service personal. The success of the first Sandakan service held in Crook street on March 7th at the Memorial erected there, guest Speaker being Bruce Ruxton State President. Museum report. There are several other articles with dates, times for future RSL events 1n 1999. Photos, top. Three regular long standing RSL volunteers in Appeals, Frank O'Connell, Norm Smart and Fred Addlem discussing the Anzac Appeal results for 1999, all are Committee men, Norm Smart is a Life Member. Centre. On the right Alan Holmes President Bendigo RSL, center Bill Wilkinson a sponsor of the Newsletter and Cliff Richards Snr Vice President. Bottom shows the Bendigo and District Servicemens Club bonus points case, a Staff member in front.Newsletter, paper A4 size, total 6 pages includes front mailing address, 4 pages of newsletter and 1 page of photos. There are 6 Business advertisements who sponsored the newsletter, there are 24 sub headings re the RSL's work and events, the last page of photos has 3 images on.On first page, "DIGGERS DIGEST" - "Newsletter 1999"brsl, smirsl, diggers, digest, newsletter, 1999