By Marcus Uhe
Kelly’s Hotel is making it even easier to show your support for Veterans this Remembrance Day by selling Poppies as part of the RSL Australia’s Annual Poppy Appeal in their drive-through service area.
Located a short distance from the Cenotaph at Greg Clydesdale Square, the Hotel is continuing its support for the RSL, with sales to go to the Dandenong branch.
Poppies were previously only available in the bistro and gaming area at the Hotel.
Donations to the Poppy Appeal provide support services to Veterans and their families.
Hotel Manager Michael Goldie said it was important for the venue to honour not only the wider returned serviceman and servicewomen community but the family who the Hotel is named in honour of.
“Thomas Arthur Kelly fought in Second World War and his son Arthur Thomas Kelly went to Vietnam,” Mr Goldie said.
“I’ve always had empathy for soldiers and people involved in wars.
“We’ve always done it (sold Poppies) but never motioned we’ve done it because the (Cranbourne) RSL was open and we left it to them.
“What we decided was, because the RSL is closed, we could expand it to sell over the bar and drive-through.”
Adding to the ease of service is the ability to pay via Eftpos, rather than with only cash.
It’s hoped that the convenience will assist to raise as much money as possible for the RSL.
Following the Remembrance Day ceremony at 11am on Friday 11 November, the venue will welcome Veterans for lunch.
Mr Goldie, whose family members served over the years and saw the toll that conflict can have on loved-ones, said the venue had an important role to play.
“There’s nothing in it for us, we just wish people would make an effort to buy something or be in the conversation.”
Kelly’s Hotel will continue to sell the Poppies in the weekend following Remembrance Day as well, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November.
The hotel is located at 38/56 High Street, Cranbourne.
