There was a lovely lunch followed by cake at the Kempsey Heights Bowling Club, with the 12 Auxiliary members, South West Rocks representatives and the RSL sub-Branch all in attendance.

The local branch was formed in 1951 to work alongside the RSL in helping returned veterans get the support they deserve.

They help out in any way they can including raffles, welfare work, donations, as well as scholarships to schools.

Coordinator of the Auxiliary, Elaine Brown, was very proud of the occasion.

"I'm really pleased for the Auxiliary to be recognised as a part of the community, and for longer than I've been alive," Mrs Brown said.

"I think it's a fantastic organisation and that's what makes it so special, because it was needed then, and it's still needed now."

There is evidence that there was an Auxiliary in the area around 1942, but due to flood damage at the time there are unfortunately no official records.

Marie Battson has been a member of the group for over 30 years and talked about how great it is to give back.

"I joined it because my mum was in it years ago, my father was in the war and I just do it for the love of it, we do a lot of things to help people and I like doing it," Mrs Battson said.

"It's very good to be here, I think more young ones should do it, and I think they would get more appreciation of what life is and good helping people is."

Another member, Pat Major, said anyone can join.

"I think it's wonderful, I didn't know it existed. Even though my husband hasn't been in any wars the ladies said that it didn't matter and it's been great," Mrs Major said.

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