CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Ms O'NEIL (Hotham—Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities) (09:57): Today I rise to recognise a special institution in my community, the Clayton RSL Sub-Branch, as it marks 80 years of service to veterans and local families. Since its very beginnings in 1945, when Clayton was a very small village, the RSL has been a constant—a place of support, connection and quiet strength for those who have served our country and for their families navigating life beyond service.

As our community has grown, so too has this RSL, but its purpose remains unchanged. That spirit continues today thanks to the extraordinary group of people who volunteer to run this organisation—people like Ian 'Sandy' Sandford, Andrea Delaforce, Michael Newbond, Lisa Supple and Ann Coram—along with the broader volunteer community who carry this work forward each day.

Today I want to pay special tribute to a pivotal and unique leader in my community, John Charles Saunders, who, tragically, passed away in March this year. John served our country in the 3rd Division Signals regiment and continued that service over many years as secretary of the Clayton RSL and region 2. He was a constant presence, steady, generous and deeply committed to the wellbeing of veterans and their families.

I first met John when he was elected as secretary in 2013. That was about the same time I became the member for Hotham. From the very beginning, he was the most generous mentor and the steadiest person, offering me support.

I can remember coming out of my office and seeing the beautiful, warm face and wide smile of John Saunders as he helped me understand the experiences of local veterans and work with him to improve them. He brought with him that real specialness and that wisdom and humour that we get from that very unique Australian generation who saw challenges face this country, the likes of which my generation has never had to experience.

One of the things I loved about John was that he was so widely respected and so deeply loved all over our community but he never sought recognition for the work that he did. It was that quiet labour of serving his community that motivated him every day. That was one of the many reasons why I loved and respected him every day that I knew him.

I had the privilege of attending the Clayton RSL Anzac Day dawn service this year. It was moving. It was respectful.

In the last months of John's life, he painstakingly planned out that service so it would be perfect on Anzac Day. That just tells us everything about who this man was. To his partner, Ann, his sons, Andrew, Tim and Simon, and his grandchildren, Gabe, Arabella, Emilia and Jem, I extend the deepest condolences of the parliament.

We honour his life and service. Vale, John Saunders.