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Feature
Interview
8 iNarrabri Magazine
April 22nd - May 5th
Mother’s Day
2 course buffet
11.30am - 2.30pm, Sunday May 10th
$19.90 per person. $11.00 per child
a suMptuous selection...
Tender beef fillet
Crispy skinned chicken breast
Fresh baked blue eye cod fillets
Juicy beef ribs
Fresh prawns
Baked vegetables
(potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato)
Steamed vegetables
(broccoli, beans, carrots)
Assorted salads
(tossed, potato, Caesar)
A selection of condiments to
suit
all taste buds
Desserts
Sticky date pudding
Chocolate mousse tarts
Vanilla bean panna cottas
Assorted ice creams...
including Rum and Raisin,
Belgian Chocolate, Peppermint
and Creamy Vanilla
Bookings are essential as we
don’t want you to miss out!
open 7 Days
Lunch: 12pm - 2pm
Dinner Mon - Sat: 6pm - 9pm
Dinner Sundays: 6pm until 8pm
Adjoins the Narrabri RSL Club
7 Maitland St, Narrabri 6791202
Interview by Craig Jollow
This year’s Anzac Day March & Service will
be a major event throughout the land and in
Narrabri Shire it will be no different. Of local
and historical interest will be the ‘falling in’ of
groups of marchers outside the historic Nar-
rabri P.S Administration Building for the last
time (due to its demolition later this year) and
the marchers arriving at the new War Memo-
rial located at the Narrabri RSL. One man re-
sponsible for this event occurring each year is
Ken Craddock and it was my pleasure to have
a beer with him and learn a little more about
him and his organisation.
How long have you been a member of the
Narrabri RSL Sub-Branch and in what ca-
pacity?
I have been a member since 1998, recruiting
officer from day one and President for over a
decade.
What motivation was there for you in ini-
tially being involved?
My family have been connected with the
League since 1920, and a personal, ongoing
respect for war veterans.
How has the role of the organisation devel-
oped over the years?
The League has always been about care, cama-
raderie and commemoration and I believe care
is becoming the foremost ideal. The added in-
terest with the centenary of ANZAC has also
been a focus over the past few years.
Briefly, what is the difference between the
Narrabri RSL and its sub-branch?
Craig, I am glad you asked that question! The
sub-Branch is part of a national organisation,
the Returned and Services League of Australia
which has State and Territory branches break-
ing down further into sub-Branches. Narrabri
sub-Branch is part of RSL New South Wales.
The Club is a separate entity with the necessary
licences to make a profit through Liquor sales,
Gaming and Racing. It was originally formed by
the sub-Branch. The sub-Branch is a registered
not for profit organisation with a certificate to
fundraise, and supports the various charities
under the umbrella of the State Branch.
This year’s 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli
landing will be huge throughout the country.
What special plans have been made locally
to commemorate the event?
A number of factors have given cause to the
erection of the new memorial at the front of the
Club. This memorial now includes the names of
those from Narrabri who served in WW1 and
not just those killed. Also, set in bronze, are the
lists of locals who have served their country in
more recent campaigns. A live show; ‘Gallipoli;
A manual of trench warfare’ was a fitting contri-
bution to the commemoration of ANZAC and
attracted a capacity audience.
The new war memorial is significant – what
role did you play in its development?
No more than the many involved.
Could you briefly outline the planning and
actual designing of the memorial by the
committee and architect involved?
A committee was formed in 2011 with the aim
of designing a memorial that would, in addi-
tion to the honour rolls from the existing me-
morial, include plaques for World War One,
the Armoured Division personnel killed whilst
training in the district in World War Two and
the later Vietnam Wars and conflicts. The com-
mittee consisted of Barry Stanford - Chairman,
Gary Mason - Secretary, Geoff Allen, Andrew
Colyvan, Peter Hunold, Wal Smith, Viv Yandell,
John Bell, Paul Gordon and myself as treasurer.
After many different ideas and amateur de-
signs, some simple, some elaborate, it was de-
cided to engage professionals. Subsequently,
Bergstrom Architects were engaged. I believe
that was a good design as none of the commit-
tee designs were anywhere in its class and the
final product speaks for itself.
The commemoration of important national
days such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day
etc has attracted a resurgence of interest
Narrabri RSL Sub-Branch
Ken Craddock
OAM (President)
photo: john burgess