Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 1 - Attachment A Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 1 - Attachment A Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 2 - Attachment B

Nowra RSL Sub-Branch PO Box 369, Nowra NSW 2541 Phone/Fax: 44236335 Welfare: 44227235

Jo Gash Mayor Shoalhaven City Nowra NSW 2540

Dear Jo,

Three years ago our Sub Branch came up with an initiative to raise funds to send care packages and support our troops deployed overseas and additionally raise funds for ‘Soldier On’. The initiative involved putting on a game of Rugby involving our local Rugby Squad and playing in specially designed jerseys depicting the ANZAC spirit and the day was called ‘Digger Day’. On completion of the game the jerseys are auctioned off to the public. The successful collaboration between the Nowra RSL sub-branch and the Shoalhaven Rugby club has proved to be a big hit within the tight Shoalhaven community. This event has attracted around 1500-2000 people to each Digger Day event, which equates to around a large step up in number, compared to normal club matches.

The concept was a huge success raising in excess of $10,000 for each year. On each occasion we have had the support of my close and personal friend, VC who has attended as guest to all our Digger Days. On each occasion the Navy flew Keith by Naval Helicopter into the ground with the game ball and the Army’s Red Beret Parachute Display team also performs. As we approached the ANZAC Centenary we had plans to escalate the event and put on a Digger Day which would be momentous and spectacular for our small community for 2015. As of last week, I can now confirm that

Keith Payne VC VC Ben Roberts-Smith VC VC VC (NZ) VC (UK) have accepted our invitation and all will be in attendance on Digger Day. On completion of the rugby game there will be a Charity ball with all VC recipients attending. Television Personality Ray Martin has agreed to MC the event. The Royal Australian Navy has committed three helicopters to fly in our VC recipients and the Red Berets will once again perform prior to kick off.

As Secretary and Coordinator of the Digger Day Event, I would like to cordially ask if the Shoalhaven City Council would consider being a sponsor of the Digger Day activities and Charity Ball. The Digger Day Rugby event will commence at 1200 and Charity Ball in Nowra on the evening of Saturday the 18th July 2015 commencing at 6:30 PM for 7:00 PM at the Worrigee House Reception Centre.

Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 2 - Attachment B This is the biggest event that our community can ever hope for as this event is the largest gathering of VC recipients in the Southern Hemisphere in more than forty years. To put on this spectacle we would be asking for $5000.00 sponsorship money from our council. If sponsorship is successful we would like to display and acknowledge Shoalhaven City Councils commitment to such a significant event at Digger Day and on the program at the Charity Ball and numerous mentions on radio and other media outlets. All funds raised on the day will be in the support of Soldier On and Defence Care. As you can well imagine we have a large veteran population of serving and ex-serving personnel making up 17 Ex-Service Organisations (ESO) in Nowra and surrounding Villages. The expectations and excitement from within these ESO’s and the civilian population is extremely high leading up to the ANZAC Centenary and one and all are excited with all the prospects that the Nowra RSL Sub Branch is hoping to deliver.

I am fully aware and cognisant of the fact that council may have already committed funding elsewhere, but we will be deeply honoured if you could see fit to include this one off and momentous occasion into your budget and support this magnificent event which will go a long way in commemorating such an important event in our Nation’s history.

I thank you for your time and look forward to and hope for a favourable response to our request.

Yours Sincerely

Rick Meehan OAM JP Honorary Secretary Nowra RSL Sub Branch PO Box 369 Nowra NSW 2541

0428 443361

Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 3 - Attachment C Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 3 - Attachment C Ordinary Meeting 17 March 2015 - Item 3 - Attachment C