It’s a sunny afternoon and Bruce Davis is chatting happily to people outside Shepparton’s Aldi supermarket.
This is not any regular catch-up among friends though.
Mr Davis is sitting at a stall, trying to raise money.
Unlike many other stalls set up in such public thoroughfares — where people can tend to put their head down to avoid conversation as they hurry past — most people exiting the supermarket seem to drift in his direction, with hands digging into wallets as they approach.
Most are strangers. They move towards his stall bearing money, with a smile on their face and time for a quick word as they peruse the table he has set up in front of him.
The table is laden with Anzac Day badges, pens and wrist bands, as part of the annual RSL Anzac Day appeal.
The badges are labelled, with prices ranging from $2 to $50.
While we are standing there, plenty of people come forward to choose a badge.
And they come with stories of their own.
“My son is in the army in Darwin,” says one.
“My dad was in the defence force,” says another.
A third approaches with a $50 note, asking for “a $50 one, please”.
The transaction is swift, and as the woman hurries off, she says “I have had a lot to do with Legacy”.
Others, he says, will just walk up to his table and put a $50 note down before walking away.
They don’t want anything in return.
It is just their way of saying thanks.
Mr Davis has a quick word to each as they pass by his table.
“Thank you for their service,” he says to those who tell him that a family member has served, or is still serving, in the defence force.
Mr Davis says it is important to him to do so.
“Anyone who puts the uniform on, as far as I’m concerned, is a champion,” he says.
And for every veteran who has served their country, there are those family members left at home.
Mr Davis himself served in the Australian Army for 12 years.
He was a sergeant cook, serving from 1973 to 1985.
While he did not see war during his time, Mr Davis was often deployed to floods or fires with the army to help out.
“What I liked most was the mateship and the friendships in the army,” he says.
“You just formed a bond.”
Now, he is vice-president of the Shepparton RSL sub-branch, as well as being the appeals officer.
He proudly points out that volunteers raised $110,000 in Shepparton and Mooroopna last year from the Anzac Day and Remembrance Day appeals.
All the money goes to help defence force veterans and their families.
Half remains in the area, while half is sent to Melbourne to be used on bigger projects throughout the state.
Mr Davis says the money is used for any welfare needs of veterans and their families — including emergency accommodation, financial support, medical equipment, electricity and gas bills, transportation and gardening for those who can’t do so because of injuries.
The funds also help support veterans’ children, assisting with items such as computers and school books.
“Anything else they register, we will help,” he says.
“Anyone who puts the uniform on in the Australian Defence Force, and their families, deserves our help.”
This is a busy time of year for Mr Davis and many others who volunteer.
“Our kitchen is covered in Anzac Day boxes,” he says.
“It takes up your house for two weeks.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way though.”
Anzac Day appeal stalls will be set up in Shepparton and Mooroopna outside major supermarkets and other stores until April 24.
Badges will also be sold at the cenotaph and the Shepparton RSL on Anzac Day itself.
They are also available at 42 businesses, schools and doctor’s surgeries throughout the district.
Anzac Day appeal Anzac Day badge stalls in Shepparton and Mooroopna
Bunnings, Dan Murphy’s, Shepparton Marketplace, Fairleys Supa IGA, Woolworths in Shepparton and Mooroopna, Riverside Plaza and Aldi.
Badges are also available from countertops at many small businesses and schools.