Vasey RSL Care Christmas Tree Ornaments Adorn Government House Tree
15 December 2017
Today, CEO Janna Voloshin, attended a reception at Government House, hosted by Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC and her husband, Mr Anthony Howard QC, to unveil their Christmas Tree.
Earlier in the year, Ms Dessau contacted us (and her many other organisations) to invite us all to provide an ornament for the Christmas Tree at Government House, to represent the organisation.
Our five homes all rose to the challenge and created beautiful, meaningful ornaments, which were carefully packaged and sent to Government House.
“It was a lovely occasion and a great way for Ms Dessau to promote the work done in the Victorian community by all those organisations she patronises,” says Janna.
Pictured left (from left) are Wendy Charlton (WWG), Ms Dessau, Janna Voloshin, and Margaret Miles (WWG) at the event.
Ms Dessau has now been in the role of Governor for two years and she expressed how privileged she feels to continue her relationship with organisations such as ours. She asked that her heartfelt thanks be passed on to all here for the work that we do to support Victorians and to contribute to the ‘Peace and Prosperity’ that is part of the state motto.
Thank you to the residents, lifestyle team members and volunteers at our five homes for their lovely creations which you can see below:
Vasey RSL Care Bundoora:
Vasey House
I am not a glorification of conflict.
I am not a glass ornament or a token.
I am more.
Lest we forget
Vasey RSL Care Brighton East:
– Vasey RSL Care is a multi-faceted organisation that serves those who served – hence the shape of our ornament.
– Each side depicts things that are very important to us.
The bus represents how we are always moving forward with innovation
– The words represent our cultrual values for our community
– The Christmas table represents our warm and inviting environment
– Our Vasey RSL Care logo indicates that we are always remembering and supporting our comrades
Vasey RSL Care Ivanhoe: Star of hope Our ornament is a star of hope – it is connected to the war experience of our community, where almost all are war widows and ex-servicemen. The slouch hat pin is like a war medal and reminds us of the bravery of our forces. Christmas is a time when we get together with our families and enjoy their company. We also remember those who fell protecting our country, and their widows who had to go on without them
Vasey RSL Care Brighton: this ornament was made with input from all of the residents. The bauble was crocheted by Veronica Marks, a war widow whose husband served in the Royal Australian Army during WWII “until the very end!” Forty crystals were place on the bauble during a crafternoon session, representing the 40 permanent and respite residents. Each member of the community was invited to choose a sequin to accompany their crystal and each one represents a quality – butterfly for happiness, snowflake for individuality, leaf for life, seashell for tranquility, flower for kindness, apple for intelligence and heart for love – each person chose the quality which best represents them. The 40 stars around the top of the ornament represent past members of the community, who are gone but not forgotten. This has been a wonderful exercise in community, gratitude and positive self-awareness.
Vasey RSL Care Frankston South: The Christmas Story: 1939 to 1945 “We didn’t have much money but our Christmas was still a very special time. Our stocking or socks were filled with either a book, socks, a threepenny bit, puppets, handkerchiefs, an orange, some walnuts or almonds, a fondant mouse and perhaps a new dress or shoes. Our mothers also used to send food parcels to their loved ones in the armed forces. The time before Christmas, the women would gather together in the evenings around the wireless and knit socks, scarves, beanies or gloves. Mostly this was done after the children went to bed. Sometimes, the women would gather in each other’s homes for support and camaraderie. These goods were sent via the Red Cross to all the servicemen during the War and especially at Christmas time. This ornament represents all the Vasey RSL families at home, bringing a little joy and love to their loved-ones as they fought for their country in lands so far away, scattered across the globe in the name of peace and freedom for all.”