City RSLs in push for ex- army Landies

TOWNSVILLE could be the new home of a couple of exarmy Land Rovers up for grabs.

Two hundred of the vehicles are being made available to RSLs around the country for use on Anzac Day and other ceremonies.

Townsville RSL president Bill Whitburn said the subbranch had placed an expression of interest for two.

“One of the Land Rovers would be kept here at the Townsville RSL and the other would be stored at the Thuringowa RSL, so we’ve put in on their behalf,” he said.

“We’re sure they’d be ecstatic to receive one.

“We’d like to have people be able to sit in the back of them during marches.”

Mr Whitburn said the process of acquisition resembled a “lottery”.

“We’re not sure yet how they’d be transported up here but registration, and maintenance, of the vehicles would be the responsibility of the subbranch,” he said.

Minister for Defence Personnel and Veteran’s Affairs Darren Chester made the announcement at the Australian War Memorial about a fortnight ago.

“Soon RSLs around the country will have their own piece of history on display to share with their communities,” Mr Chester said.

“The Land Rovers have served thousands of soldiers in the Australian Defence Force, on home soil and in operational service in Timor- Leste, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq.”

ONE OF THE LAND ROVERS WOULD BE KEPT HERE AT THE TOWNSVILLE RSL AND THE OTHER WOULD BE STORED AT THE THURINGOWA RSL, SO WE’VE PUT IN ON THEIR BEHALF BILL WHITBURN