17 August, 2022
New war memorial at Oakey hospital
Last Friday, the Oakey RSL Branch invited the community to the Oakey Hospital as it unveiled the newly built war memorial for aged care residents.
Oakey RSL President Chris Markham thanked the community for donations to the memorial and read The Ode.
“I’d just like to thank all the businesses that contributed to this,” he said.
“There were no ifs or buts about it.
“That’s what I like about Oakey… everybody gives their heart to everything they do.
“Well done people.”
Oakey RSL Vice President and Fundraising Officer Dave Lampard said the first ceremony the memorial will be used for is Vietnam Veterans’ Day on the 18th August.
Alongside the RSL, the memorial was funded with the help of a number of local groups and businesses.
These are Oakey Electrical, Ray White Rural Oakey, Oakey Men’s Shed, Oakey Rural Supplies and Alliance Pharmacy.
Visitors to the memorial will see a wooden bench, made by the Oakey Men’s Shed, opposite the memorial with a plaque bearing the names of these local groups on it.
Residents in the hospital aged care facility and former Australian Army member Mick Haddy attended the unveiling to show his appreciation.
Oakey RSL Secretary Leanne Wells said it was important for the hospital to have its own memorial so that it is more accessible for the residents.
“They can come here freely as they like without feeling left out if they can’t make it to a service at the big memorial on Campbell Street,” she said.
