Steve Dalton and Gary McKay demonstrate the opener

With ANZAC Day services across the nation canceled for this year, the Kiama-Jamberoo Sub-Branch of the RSL is banking on a novel collaboration with the Kiama Men’s Shed to help it raise much needed funds.

“It is looking likely some items, like pens, won’t be arriving from China in time for our regular fundraising campaign in the lead up to ANZAC Day,” says Gary McKay, the Sub-Branch’s Vice President.

Luckily, following a successful prototype last year, Gary has a new Kiama-made item that he is predicting will sell like hot cakes.

“Our Lest We Forget bottle openers are based on one given to me by a former North Vietnamese fighter, who now operates a restaurant in Hue.

“He gives every Vet who visits one of his simple bottle openers, made with bolts on timber.”

The Kiama Men’s Shed has refined the concept, making it out of Tassie Oak, with a kangaroo leather strap and the innovation of a magnet to catch the cap.

Steve Dalton, speaking for the Shed’s Team Bottle Opener (or Team BO for short), says they have enjoyed working on the project.

“We suggested engraving the handles with an old school machine we have called a gravograph. The Lest We Forget is a great addition.

“It’s amazing what you can do when you get a few old guys together.”

The funds raised through the sale of the openers for $15 each will be shared jointly between the Sub-Branch and the Shed.

Gary says he is disappointed by the canceling of the ANZAC services, but accepts the need.

“We normally get 5000 at Blowhole Point, so it is out of the question.

“It is a shame as we had been planning to project images on the Lighthouse.

“It was going to look amazing. We’ll have to wait for next year.”

Details: The Sub-Branch will be holding a stall at Kiama Village in the week before ANZAC Day.