Cronulla RSL Raise $7,000 for AWAMO & Manic

Cronulla RSL fundraising activities on ANZAC Day 2023, have raised $7,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & Veteran Service Animals.

Members & guests gathered on the club’s bowling green, for a great day of two-up, with all proceeds from the day being donated to AWAMO’s current initiatives and local retired veteran war dog, Manic.

Funds raised from ANZAC Day Two-Up at Cronulla RSL, will help support local military war dog Manic.

The funds raised will help get food, shelter and boots on the ground to support animals impacted by the Russian/Ukraine conflict, through AWAMO’s sub-branch, Australian Animal Aid. There are over 200,000 animals left displaced, after over 5 million Ukraine refugees fled the country at the start of the war.

Manic, a working dog who served in Iraq and on Tactical Assault Group East (TAGE), is the Club’s first honorary four-legged member. Manic retired from service in 2020 and now lives in the Sutherland Shire. The veteran military war dog has been helping Cronulla RSL spread the word about the fantastic work of AWAMO, and the limited support that retired working dogs receive.

Cronulla RSL’s CEO Sue McNeill says ‘We are really proud of our support of Manic. Unfortunately, there is no Department of Veteran affairs when dogs like Manic retire. All of the costs associated with taking care of him have become the responsibility of his family. Our community’s support, really makes a difference’.

Because of the typical age of military working dog’s retirement, the people who take on responsibility for veteran dogs are unable to take out pet insurance to help with the costs of their veterinary care. Unfortunately, many of the significant health costs come at the end of a dog’s life. This can be a significant impost on those that have given our military working dogs their retirement home.

‘Dogs like Manic didn’t choose to serve our nation. We owe them so much, at least to make their last few years of life comfortable and provide them with the medical treatment they need. Our next mission is to encourage other registered clubs to consider adopting their military working dog, and recognise War Animal Day as part of their annual calendar.’ said McNeill.

Manic helped the club commemorate War Animal Day (Purple Poppy Day) in February this year, and the installation of a memorial garden decicated to animals impacted by war, at the front of the club.

Cronulla RSL has been recognise for their outstanding social contributions made in the local community. The club was announced as a finalist in the 2023 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards.

Australian war animal memorial organisation

AWAMO is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation made up of community members from diverse backgrounds, that have the like-minded aim to recognize the deeds of animals during Australian military service, and to educate generations to follow of the sacrifices of four legged diggers have made.

The Ukraine Appeal

They are currently working tirelessly to support and provide much-needed food, medication, and ground support to those helping the innocent animals of Ukraine suffering through conflict via their sub-branch, Australian Animal Aid.

In 2022, Australian Animal Aid arranged a shipping container of supplies to be hand delivered by their team to the frontline. In 2023, they hope to visit once again, this time with a team of engineers, to help construct dog kennels for 2,000 displaced dogs. In addition, they hope to purchase heaters, generators, horse blankets and other items to assist the local organisations keep our four-legged friends warm as the area heads into winter later this year.

Cronulla RSL will continue to work with AWAMO CEO Nigel Allsopp, to support the cause. Nigel and his team are currently busy preparing another trip to the frontline, to get boots on the ground to support animals in the Ukraine who have been displaced as their owners flee the conflict zone.

 For more information on AWAMO, visit their website http://awamo.org.a

Veteran Service Dog Assistance Project

Another initiative is their ANZAC Veteran Service Dog Assistance Project. A program in place to financially help retired working dogs from the Australian Defence Force. At the end of their service, the ADF’s duty of care ends. AWAMO raise funds to assist the dog’s handlers with purchasing medication, payment of veterinary bills, and the supply of dog items that aid comfort (such as bed, coat and toys). When the time comes, they also assist with the costs of cremation and honouring the dogs with a burial head stone. They have negotiated great arrangements with Master Pets & PetLife to provide a range of dietary foods for the animals to enjoy during their retirement.