By Jessica Micallef
The Woodend football community and the town’s RSL are coming together to pay tribute to defence forces veterans.
The Woodend Hesket Football and Netball Club and the Woodend RSL are partners in presenting the June 8 match between the Woodend-Hesket and Riddell.
Club senior football coach Tom Carland said the game was an opportunity for the club to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of veterans.
“I think that in Australia, we don’t appreciate our veterans enough,” he said.
Mr Carland approached the Woodend RSL with the idea of a veterans match, with a focus on those who served in more recent conflicts such as Afghanistan.
Club president Paul Podbury said participating in the match was an honour.
“Our club is really proud to be working with the Woodend RSL and the Central Highlands Vietnam Veterans Association to provide an event that will celebrate our local defence personnel and their service to the nation in a local sporting environment,” he said.
RSL president Peter Whitelaw said everyone was happy to be having a community sports group recognising veterans.
The day’s events will include speakers, including an Afghanistan veteran, and a local choir singing the national anthem and performing at half-time.
The veterans match will be played on Saturday, June 8, at Gilbert Gordon Oval, Woodend.
