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

South East Metropolitan Sub-Branches - Upcoming Visits

For the next few months we are concentrating on the South East Metropolitan Sub Branches of the League.  Our first scheduled visit is to the Armadale Sub Branch which was chartered on the 22/10/1919.  

We have a bit of information on Armadale, having done some research on Trove.  What we do know is that in 1935 the sub branch opened its club rooms, the construction of the facilities marked a rejuvenation in the community after the depression with the focus being investment in construction to. The sub branch also actively sought funding for amelioration hosting a gymkhana in 1940 which included a programme of mounted, pedestrian and cycle events.  Opened by the Governor Sir James Mitchell the event finished with a Ball which was open to all members of the community.

If anyone has any stories or pictures they would like to share then please do contact us at ANZAC House.  The current schedule for visits to sub branches is available on the blog.  

ANZAC House Opening 1934

The original ANZAC House was opened in 1934 by the Duke of Gloucester and was the home of the RSL in Perth until 1976.  Designed by Lieutenant Colonel A R Baxter Cox, ANZAC House featured a club, accomodation for the club manager, offices and the best dance floor in town.

Many dances and functions were held at ANZAC House which was located next to the current premises and the land was the former base of UWA before it moved to Crawley.  

Unfortunately we don't have many pictures of the inside of ANZAC House in our collection but we are on the lookout.  If anyone knows of any or has any then please do contact ANZAC House. 

Check out the slideshow below with images of the opening of ANZAC House in 1934.

Albany Sub Branch

We have uncovered this picture of the Albany Sub Branch in our collection at ANZAC House.

Unfortunately it doesn't come with any details as to what year it is and what the event is......

The sub branch, we know from our visits, has moved 3 times before building under the Stirling Club so this picture is possibly the re-opening of the building after one of the moves.

Can anyone provide any details on the photo?