Shoppers voice anger at Nine Network as volunteers report record support for veterans

Shoppers at Ballina Fair are voicing anger at Nine Network and backing veterans in record numbers ahead of ANZAC Day, according to local volunteers.

Colleen Wills and Val Rawson, selling poppies and memorabilia this week, say some customers have gone as far as boycotting the network over its reporting on Ben Roberts-Smith.

“Yesterday we would have had at least 50 people come up and volunteer their anger over Roberts Smith,” Wills said.

“They said, ‘I am disgusted with what’s happened.”

“Some even said they had contacted Channel Nine and wouldn’t watch it again.”

The reaction follows the high-profile Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case, which centred on reporting by Nine newspapers and journalist Nick McKenzie.

Wills said the sentiment had translated into a surge of support at the stall.

“They just came over and bought things,” she said.

“One fellow bought $80 worth of badges, and we had at least $200 in donations from people who didn’t want anything in return.”

She said the response had been driven entirely by the public.

“We didn’t ask them anything — they just told us,” she said.

Funds raised go toward supporting veterans through local ex-service organisations.

The Ballina stall is run by members of the Air Force, Army, Navy and broader ex-service community.

Wills, a former Air Force member, said the annual effort had continued locally under ex-service organisations following changes to the RSL structure more than a decade ago.

For Rawson, the cause is personal.

She volunteers each year in honour of her late father, who served as a flight engineer on Lancaster bombers during World War II.

“I just believe I should do something,” she said.

“I feel I should help.”

The strong turnout comes as Ballina prepares for ANZAC Day commemorations this Saturday.

Mina Photo: Colleen Wills and Val Rawson at the stall outside Woolies at Ballina Fair.  It continues until Friday with a wide range of memorabilia including badges, poppies, mugs, stubbie holders and more.

ANZAC Day services in Ballina

The Dawn Service begins at 5:30am at the Ballina Cenotaph.

A breakfast follows at Ballina RSL from 6:00am.

The ANZAC March forms at 10:15am before stepping off at 10:30am along River Street.

The main service begins at 11:00am at Memorial Park.

Lunch follows at midday, with two-up from 1:00pm.

Alstonville commemorations

Alstonville’s Dawn Service will be held at 5:30am at Elizabeth Ann Brown Park.

A gunfire breakfast follows at 6:30am.

The march assembles at 9:40am ahead of the 10:00am main service.

Road closures will affect parts of Bugden Avenue, Main Street and Daley Street.

An evening rodeo will be held at the Alstonville Showgrounds.