Two projects undertaken by Club Engadine RSL have been selected as finalists in the 2019 Clubs & Community Awards, conducted by ClubsNSW.
One project involved the preparation and dispatch of care packages and letters from children to Australian troops overseas, and the other resulted in the distribution of used prescription glasses and cakes of soap to isolated communities in Papua New Guinea.
The care packages project has been conducted since 2017 in the lead-up to Anzac Day, and this year was held in conjunction with Westfield Miranda.
A total of 850 packages were sent to Australian troops in the Middle East, South Sedan, Iraq, Afghanistan and aboard HMAS Ballarat.
The packages contained comfort food, including Anzac biscuits, Tim Tams, lollies, chips, chocolates, nuts, coffee, tea bags and Vegemite, all donated by the community.
Letters and artwork from schoolchildren were included with the packages.
More than 300 schools and kindergartens from across Australia took part after word spread on social media.
Club Engadine RSL general manager Nerida Grant and president Gary Eggert said the children's letters and artwork had an emotional effect, especially when veterans were thanked for their efforts.
Many of the letters were displayed on walls and recreation spaces for all to see, they said.
The project was co-ordinated by Brad Copelin an Afghanistan veteran, RSL DefenceCare Ambassador, Engadine RSL Sub-branch member and former club director
The second award nomination was for the club's work for the YWAM (Youth With a Mission) Medical Ships Papua New Guinea welfare project.
It was led by club director Maureen Taylor, a registered nurse and volunteer, who visited isolated communities in Papua New Guinea with NSW Health, and initiated a drive to collect used prescription glasses and cakes of soap.
The soap is used for hygiene in remote villages and the glasses are dispensed by volunteer optometrists to needy villagers.
Club Engadine RSL acted as a collection point and co-ordination point for donations.
The club officials said both projects involved extensive marketing on social media, the use of Club Engadine RSL facilities, the support of staff and extensive support from the Engadine community.
The award winners will be announced in early November, 2019.