The Leader Newspaper // Special Features ANZAC Day 2019 Supplement | Page 4

COMMEMORATING ANZAC
Nuri RSL’s American president
By Alicia Lüdi-Schutz
At 49 years of age, Rob Nies is one of the youngest
RSL presidents in South Australia, taking the Nuriootpa
sub-branch into a new era.
The former American Air Force Staff Sergeant said
his new role was “A bit overwhelming but worth it”
as he follows on from the legacy of those before him,
including former president, Mr Peter “Clarrie” Schultz
who passed away last year.
“It’s a handing on of the baton and carrying on the
legacy ” said Rob.
Rob admits there are challenges ahead as the
different generations work together to ensure the
RSL remains relevant whilst each sub-branch keeps
its unique personality.
“The idea is to try and find a way to keep our RSL’s
current, find a way to let people know we are here for
them if they need us through advocacy and wellbeing
programmes, these are the things every sub branch
want to grow on and build” said Rob.
“The veterans from WWI and WWII had a different
type of kinship and attachment with the community.
They always got together in these halls. A lot of the
couples used to dance here in this very room! The
Vietnam era brought about another change to that
dynamic. Now because of the difference in the
generations it is difficult to offer something similar
in today’s day and age. We are finding it a challenge
to get some of the younger people to come out and
be part of this.”
Rob is eager to promote the RSL as an advocacy
and support organisation, along with our other sub
branches, that support more social events between
the groups. And more opportunities are already on
the cards.
For Rob, serving as president is an extension of
what he loves most about the country he now calls
home.
“I love our Australian personalities, the larrikinism
and camaraderie, all of that....Americans are very
intense and passionate but they don’t have the same
relaxed attitude as the Australians do - you know your
mate’s always got your back.
“The whole ANZAC spirit is just something I really
appreciate. The endurance, courage, ingenuity, good
Nuriootpa RSL’s Rob Nies is one of the youngest sub-branch presidents in South Australia.
humor, larrikinism and mateship. Our military, and
other emergency service personnel, provide a very
valuable service to the country. They need a little bit
of extra help sometimes so we want to make sure
we keep that going and that’s what we want to do
here with our RSL’s”
Born and raised in the US, mainly in Wisconsin,
Rob’s own 13 year military experience began when
he was just 17 years of age.
“I originally entered the American Air Force just two
weeks out of year twelve, and off to basic training,”
Rob said.
“My first posting was in Mississippi. I had no idea
what I was going to be doing. They said here’s your
orders, just follow these guys, they’ll tell you where
to go. Okay, no worries... What am I doing? It’s all in
your papers here... I figured out things like what CES
means, which is Civil Engineering Squadron and DDA
which is Direct Duty Assignment.”
“I got sent to my first post and it was “Here’s some
tools, go follow Mr Mosely he’ll show you the ropes
and we’ll get your books – you are going to be an
electrician!”
What followed in his first three and a half years
was what Rob described as “training, training and
more training”, around core electrical systems training
along with the mobility requirements, which included
building and maintaining an Air Base, roads, airfields
and “whatever needed to be done” as part of a civil
engineering squadron.
STAINLESS ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE
8564 3344
807 Stockwell Road, Angaston 8562 3798
5 Railway Terrace, Nuriootpa 8562 0300
14 Scholz Avenue, Nuriootpa
www.barossavillage.org
Lest We Forget Lest We Forget Lest We Forget
8563 2482
173 Murray Street, Tanunda 8562 2177
52 Siegersdorf Road, Nuriootpa 8563 3177
89 Menge Road, Tanunda
4 - “The Leader”, Commemorating ANZAC, Wednesday, April 17 2019
With the kind assistance of the participating businesses, The Leader has been able to provide a generous donation to the local RSL sub branches
Lest We Forget
Lest We Forget Lest We Forget