Documentary brings our veterans' voices to life
Community

Documentary brings our veterans' voices to life

‘Those Who Serve’ premiers, showcasing Caroline Springs RSL's community impact

Initiated by the Caroline Springs RSL with the support of the Victorian Government and the Veterans Council, a dedicated documentary called Those Who Serve premiered on the 15th of June, 2024. The documentary reveals the remarkable impact the Caroline Springs RSL and its sub-branch has had on its members and the broader community, and the difficult experiences of war veterans from their serving days.

'Those Who Serve' Documentary pays tribute

Equipped with an idea that they could make a difference for other veterans in the area, two passionate Vietnam veterans, Peter Burquest and Murray Lewis established the Caroline Springs RSL sub-branch in 2014.

Members of the branch recount their sometimes-tearful experiences of serving in a range of conflicts, including World War II, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions in Timor-Leste, in the documentary. The value of the social assistance, welfare services, and companionship that fuel the volunteer network of RSL branches benefits the community as well as providing veterans with an opportunity to share their experiences.

With over 300 members, the flourishing branch is now regarded as an essential component of the neighbourhood. It’s a not for profit organisation, and does not have gambling machines, in contrast to many licenced RSL branches.

Allan Godfrey's Legacy

Among those members featured in the documentary is WW2 veteran, Allan Godfrey, who recently passed away on the 20th of March, just a few days shy of his 101st birthday. Mr. Godfrey enlisted in WW2 at the age of 18, starting his journey in Darwin, where he was stationed for over a year. From Darwin, he continued on to New Guinea, the Philippines, Borneo, and Malaya, where he saved Australian prisoners of war.

Living in St. Albans with his great-grandchildren in recent years, Mr. Godfrey was a very active member in the community and played an important part in the Caroline Springs RSL. He shared his experiences from the war with others, and enjoyed visiting schools and assisting with ANZAC Day services. 

Aintree Walk of Honour

Allan is also among the faces of the $1.5 million 600 metre Walk of Honour memorial featured in the documentary. Built in the newly developed Woodlea neighbourhood as a tribute to Australia’s military history, it was inaugurated in 2018 and includes 150 individual plaques honouring Australians who had fought in wars ranging from Boer War to Afghanistan.

Woodlea Project Director Matthew Dean said the purpose of the initiative was to honour the military association, and included inspiration from the members at Caroline Springs RSL and school children’s drawings.

“It was a privilege to be able to create a memorial of this size. We wanted to build something that honours the ones who lost their lives in the war, the families who were left at home, and the ones who brought the war back in their mind.”

“Those Who Serve is a testament to the incredible work of the Caroline Springs RSL. It not only highlights their dedication to serving veterans but also showcases their pivotal role in fostering community resilience,” – Woodlea Project Director, Matthew Dean