Tuesday, 15 August 2023

 Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (13:04): I wish to pay tribute to community stalwart and former president of Mount Evelyn RSL Roger Boness, who sadly passed away late June. Roger Boness served our country with distinction in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 attached to the 106th Field Battery 4th Field Regiment as a forward observer, spending most of those torrid years on patrol in the jungles, providing artillery support. Adjusting to life after Vietnam was difficult, but with wife Julie by his side Roger immersed himself in community life in Mount Evelyn, including playing for Mount Evelyn Football Club and becoming president of Mount Evelyn RSL in 2011, where he demonstrated his immense passion about the rights, benefits and welfare of local ex-servicepeople and their families, creating more ways for members to socialise and care for one another. Roger was instrumental in the improvement of the Mount Evelyn war memorial gardens, installing honour plaques, a howitzer, lighting and seating, and he oversaw Anzac dawn services that came to have attendances of more than 3000 residents. It was tremendous to see Roger duly recognised for his dedicated service, awarded Victorian Senior Citizen of the Year in 2017, RSL life member in 2019 and the RSL meritorious service medal in 2022. Deepest sympathies to his children Alice and Stuart, grandson Riley, his friends and especially his RSL mates. Roger will be dearly missed in the Mount Evelyn community. Vale, Roger Boness.