ANZAC Day Identities - Miss Mary Meares

As ANZAC Day is fast approaching, I thought it an opportunity to focus on an individual who not only provided support for ANZAC Day in Western Australia but worked tirelessly for the welfare of the veteran community.  Miss Mary Meares (1889 - 1964) served on a number of committees in WA, devoting her time to the welfare of wounded and blinded servicemen.  

Awarded a certificate of merit by the RSL in 1921, Mary was involved in fundraising, visiting hospitals and organising social events to support the veteran community.  Mary served with the British Army in WWII as a welfare officer attaining the rank of captain and was the foundation president of the returned ex-servicewomen sub-branch of the RSL in 1948.

Mary Meares was involved with arranging transport for ANZAC Day services for 41 years.  Being asked by the first president of the League in WA Colonel Mansbridge to arrange transport for veterans requiring it for the march. She went on to fill the roll of Secretary of the transport committee which operated independently of the League with transport being extended to football and cricket games, royal visits and other official events.

The transport for ANZAC Day continues to be provided by volunteers, as it was for the first march in Perth and remains an important part of the organising of the event.  It continues to be run independently of the League and provides many veterans with the opportunity to participate in the march.            

How does your community commemorate ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day is commemorated on the 25th of April and marks the anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli in 1915 which was a baptism by fire for Australian and New Zealand troops.  

Beginning in 1916, Australia and New Zealand have paused on the 25th of April, to commemorate the sacrifice of all service personnel throughout all conflicts and peacekeeping operations Australia and New Zealand have been involved in.

In Perth, ANZAC Day is run by the RSL with the generous support of Lotterywest.  The day starts with a dawn service at Kings Park War Memorial and then a march through town.  Historically, the RSL in WA has considered its role in the commemoration of ANZAC Day as one of the most important functions of the League and this commitment continues today.

Do you have any stories on how ANZAC Day is celebrated in your community?  

The Listening Post

The RSL WA Branch Publication of the Listening Post has now been microfilmed.  The collation and microfilming of the collection was done by the State Library of WA.  The microfilm will now be digitised in house, a task which is expected to take six months.  By microfilming and digitising the Listening Post, we are preserving the collection and improving access.

The Listening Post was first published in December 1921, and was sent to every member of the League in WA.  The period of publication changed over the years from Monthly to quarterly and every second month as did the format from small newspaper to magazine to large newspaper. 

The Listening Post contains detailed accounts of sub branch activities and RSL Policy in WA over the years.  To check out the current publications of the Listening Post click here.

The Listening Post microfilm 

South East Metropolitan Sub-Branches - Upcoming Visits - Darling Range Sub Branch

The Darling Range Sub Branch was formed through the amalgamation of Kalamunda and Maida Vale in 1924.  We don't know too much about the activities that the sub branch was involved in but we do know they also used to have an active Womens Auxiliary group.  The Sub Branch Hall and land was donated to the sub branch by Mr and Mrs Ken Lowden in the late 1940s and used to be a home up until this point.  If you have a story to tell about Darling Range or any other sub branch please contact Naomi at ANZAC House.

Darling Range Sub Branch Charter