RSL Victoria in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Non-profit organisation

RSL Victoria

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9655 5555

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25.01.2022 The 75th anniversary of the end of WWII will be extra special for WWII veteran Jean Smith, who will mark her 100th Birthday on August 15. The former Australian Womens Army Service (AWAS) member will celebrate this special milestone on the same day that many Australians hold close to their hearts. Jean, whos first husband passed in combat in Libya in 1941, joined the Australian Womens Army Service (AWAS) during WWII. Jean also worked within the Chemical Warfare Unit based... in Innisfail, far North QLD, including three trials on Brook Island, where the unit did specialist chemical research under a code of secrecy until 1970. After the War she married Bert Smith who was initially in the Army 2/22nd Battalion which served in Rabaul and New Briton, New Guinea, then in the RAAF as an Intelligence Officer with No 77 Squadron. Jean is a very proud veteran and long-standing member of the RSL community. We thank Jean for her service to our country and wish her a very special 100th birthday! Bless you Jean. #VPDay75

25.01.2022 Read RSL Victoria's recent media statement in response to the Brereton report: https://bit.ly/3eRAx86. As an ex-service organisation, RSL Victoria is focused on advocating for and supporting the health and wellbeing of all current and ex-serving members of the ADF. The Brereton report is on an extremely sensitive issue. Veterans and current serving member of the ADF in need of support are encouraged to reach out to RSL Victoria, via 1300 MILVET (1300 645 838).... For veterans and their families in need of help, please call Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 for free and confidential 24/7 support.

25.01.2022 A sea change for husband and wife Robert and Lis Blandamer was so much more than just a lifestyle change. For them, it was about finding a place not only to call home, but to make a difference. The couple decided to semi-retire to Phillip Island in 2017 and became social members of the Phillip Island RSL. Not only do they reap the benefits of their sub-branch social scene, catching up with friends and enjoying a meal, they have become involved in so many aspects of what the R...Continue reading

24.01.2022 Greater support coming to veterans and their families in Victoria's North East! Today we are so proud to announce that we have been selected by the Australian Federal Government to lead the creation of a Veterans and their Families Wellbeing Centre in Wodonga. Our vision is to establish a one-stop-shop of support in Victoria’s North East, that will have RSL transition, health and wellbeing, advocacy and advice, welfare and housing services sit alongside complementary servic...es from other ex-service organisations, government and private service providers. It is important to recognise the efforts of the Hume Veteran Information Centre whose volunteers have delivered decades of outstanding support to the veteran community, and have been integral to securing this project. We look forward to working with this dedicated group well into the future. Securing endorsement for the project is just the first step, and there is much work to do between now and the Wellbeing Centre’s 2022 open date. We will be updating our Facebook community regularly on how this project develops over the next 12 months. In the meantime, we want to remind our community of veterans and their families that RSL Victoria is here for you. Veterans and their families in need of support are encouraged to contact RSL Victoria's Veteran Central program via 1300MILVET (1300 011 046) between Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm please visit our website for more information http://www.rslvic.com.au/veteran-support/veteran-central/

23.01.2022 Greater support coming to veterans and their families in Victoria's North East! Today we are so proud to announce that we have been selected by the Australian Federal Government to lead the creation of a Veterans and their Families Wellbeing Centre in Wodonga. Our vision is to establish a one-stop-shop of support in Victoria’s North East, that will have RSL transition, health and wellbeing, advocacy and advice, welfare and housing services sit alongside complementary servic...es from other ex-service organisations, government and private service providers. It is important to recognise the efforts of the Hume Veteran Information Centre whose volunteers have delivered decades of outstanding support to the veteran community, and have been integral to securing this project. We look forward to working with this dedicated group well into the future. Securing endorsement for the project is just the first step, and there is much work to do between now and the Wellbeing Centre’s 2022 open date. We will be updating our Facebook community regularly on how this project develops over the next 12 months. In the meantime, we want to remind our community of veterans and their families that RSL Victoria is here for you. Veterans and their families in need of support are encouraged to contact RSL Victoria's Veteran Central program via 1300MILVET (1300 011 046) between Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm please visit our website for more information http://www.rslvic.com.au/veteran-support/veteran-central/

23.01.2022 A fresh-faced 18 year old with strong political convictions, Tom signed up serve in the Korean War in 1951. That’s what I joined up for. It was as simple as that. My Catholic upbringing had me thinking about the Communist side of things. Mr Parkinson was sent to Korea on the 3rd March, 1952, via Japan, as part of the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He turned 19 on his way there. He knew where Korea was on the map. I had an uncle who was a Prisoner of War during WW...Continue reading

23.01.2022 Are you currently serving in the ADF or have recently completed your service? Please don’t hesitate to call Veteran Central at 1300 MILVET (1300 645 838) 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday for any aid you might need for you and your family! Our Case Navigators are waiting for your call to assist you with any help or support you may need while transitioning back into civilian life! #rslveterancentral

22.01.2022 Participants in Altona RSL Active’s latest art therapy session have created some beautiful and poignant works of art. As we commemorate Remembrance Day today these works of art, which are crated by veterans and their families, are a timely reminder of the sacrifice that our service men and women both past and present make and continue to make. #remembertoremember

22.01.2022 Calling all veterans and their families! Our Veteran Central initiative is here to connect you and your family to any immediate wellbeing and advocacy support services that may be needed. Please call Veteran Central at 1300MILVET (1300 645 838) between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday for a chat with one of our friendly Case Navigators to get you swift access to any support services you and your family might need! #rslveterancentral

21.01.2022 Join us to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day, marking the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan (1966), where D Company 6 Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) fought a fierce battle against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops close to the village of Long Tan. In 1969, 6RAR veterans held a memorial service there and, over time, the date became synonymous with all those who served in Vietnam, until 1987 when Prime Minister Bob Hawke officially declared Long Tan Day as Vietnam Veterans Day. The Shrine is a living monument, a building with a soul. Throughout our closure period, we will continue to honour the service and sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of Victorians.

20.01.2022 During World War 1, 47 men with close ties to the Warburton district, sacrificed their lives to give us the freedom we enjoy today. The loss left a huge void that effected families & loved ones, as well as the greater Warburton community & its development. When researchers found a large discrepancy between the numbers lost, & those honoured on the WW1 Cenotaph in Warburton, it was found that when the Cenotaph was created, families of those lost were asked to donate to honour ...the service of their loved one. Many families were struggling financially during the depression & could not donate. Some men had no family here at all, as they had come from Europe & Great Britain to start a new life in Australia in the hope of a better future. This wall was designed to commemorate the service of every one of the 47 men who never returned to the place they called home. Designed by Coral Reynolds & built by the Warburton Community through a series of Community Workshops, supervised by Warburton artist Sioux Dollman. Young & old worked side by side, donating their time to honour the 47 men lost by our town, & give thanks to all who stood tall, making personal sacrifices during & after WW1. The mosaic rolling green hills are the backdrop for the 47 Red Poppies, one for each man named on the plaque on the Memorial Rock immediately in front of the Wall, surrounded by a garden of Gallipoli Rosemary, grown from cuttings brought to Australia from Gallipoli. THE SOULS OF HEROES DIE NOT IN THE LAND THAT THEY ADORED WE WILL REMEMBER THEM - LEST WE FORGET We thank the Australian Government & the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank Branches for their financial support to make this project possible. We thank all the businesses & residents who donated their time & money to make the Warburton Gallipoli Centenary Memorial Wall become a reality to honour all who served. Unveiled by the State Vice President of the Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch), Mr George Logan RFD on Tuesday, 21st April, 2015. Story and image from Coral of Warburton Rsl. #whereiremember

19.01.2022 In an unprecedented year, we are extremely grateful to all our members for their support in 2020. As 2021 fast approaches, we hope to have your continued support for the new year. By renewing to be a member of RSL Victoria in 2021, you help us to honour all those who have served our country and their sacrifice as well as all those who are stilling serving or will serve after us. By being a member you also assist in our endeavour to provide care and assistance to all veteran...s and their dependents. This year, Hyundai Australia have chosen to partner with RSL Victoria to bring you the opportunity to win the fantastic Hyundai Venue if you renew by the 22nd of December, 2020. Visit www.rslrewards.com.au or your local Sub-Branch and renew today for your chance to win this great prize just in time for Christmas! Thank you to all members who have already renewed for 2021. Entry closes December 22*

19.01.2022 When the Second World War ended 75 years ago today, Australians across the nation lined the streets and celebrated. Sir Arthur Roden Cutler, VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE was working in Melbourne at the time as the Assistant Commissioner of Repatriation. He remembered the day well. ... #OneInAMillion #75Days75Stories

17.01.2022 For decades, Russell Topp, or Toppy as he was known in the Army, had a strained relationship with his father, a World War Two veteran. He was a very hard man, he had a very hard upbringingWe didn’t use to talk when I was a kid. But about 20 years ago when Russell was diagnosed with PTSD that all began to change. I realised then that his was undiagnosed PTSD, or what they used to call shellshock. The two had their medals mounted around that time finally, a kind of ackno...wledgement of each other’s service history. We became good friends in the end before he died. Despite his long family line of military men, Russell enlisted for other reasons. At the time, I was getting into a bit of trouble and it was suggested to me by everyone that the military would do me a bit of good. So, in 1968, aged 18, he signed up to the Army for a six year stint. He completed Army Recruit Training at Kapooka followed by Corps Training at Balcombe in Victoria. His first posting was to the 1st Signal Regiment at Ingleburn in Sydney. All the training in the world could hardly prepare Russ for what was to come next a deployment to Vietnam in 1970. Two days in the country and then you’re put on your first perimeter patrol and you’re crapping yourself. Posted to 110 Sigs in Vung Tau for three months, Russ then detached to 104 Sigs in Nui Dat for most of the remainder of his time in Vietnam. When I got posted to Nui Dat I was put in charge of the communications security. I had access to every phone call in and out of Vietnam, every radio communication, everything that moved around Vietnam between Australia and the Allied Forces. I was in a bunker under the Commanding Officer office. Part of Russ’s responsibilities was to listen to, sometimes throughout the night, the patrols that were going out and the instant action that unfolded. The hardest part of that was, I think it was four or five times while I was there, we had New Zealand and Australian patrols coming in and they came upon each otherI was sitting there listening and I couldn’t say anything. Unbeknown to Russ, he was burdened by his responsibilities in Vietnam for decades to come and says he was pretty screwed up by the time he came back. 378 days later, Russ returned to Australia to complete his remaining years in the Army. In 1974, Russ discharged. He had a job lined up with his Uncle at the Commonwealth Industrial Gasses, but he struggled to find his place back in civilian life. Job after job, Russ found himself working in a bar in Melbourne, where he met and eventually married the love of his life, Chris. They have been married for 35 years and have one daughter. Russ, like many Vietnam Veterans, received a cold homecoming and suffered hostility for some years after his deployment. As a result, it took him some time to get involved with the RSL, but when he did, it became 50 years of ongoing social gatherings and friendships.

16.01.2022 RSL Victoria has been bringing a smile to the faces of our Defence Force Dads while they are deployed on #OpCOVID19Assist. We thank them for all their sacrifices in keeping us safe. To all of the fathers, grandfathers and father figures out there, Happy Fathers Day!

16.01.2022 It has been 75 years since the end of the Second World War, and this Remembrance Day we will be remembering all of those served as part of this conflict. 101-year-old veteran Phoebe Parker was one of the brave women who answered the call to serve, making life long friends and meeting her husband along the journey. When Mrs Parker enlisted in with the Australian Women’s Army Service in October 1942, she quickly established a tight-knit friendship with a couple of other wome...n who she trained with at the Ivanhoe Grammar School for Signals. We had a lot of fun together. Monday nights we used to nick under the fence and go ice skating. Like any solid friendship, they were all in it together. The other girl would be back at the camp and when she knew we were back, she would be out by the fence and would hold the wire netting up enough so we could get back in. She met her would-be husband during her service, all thanks to a trip to the dentist. He was a dispatch rider. We were at Albert Park, and the army dentist was at Caulfield Racecourseand the only driver on the Depot was Graham. And as they say, the rest is pretty much history. The two married in June 1943 and went on and had three children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Graham died 8 years ago. Phoebe served in the Australian Army until her discharge in March 1944 when she was pregnant with her first child. There was nothing bad at all in the Army. It was a good life, and I’d join up today if I had to.

16.01.2022 RSL Victoria would like to recognise #NationalDogDay. We thank and remember all of our current and ex-serving canines for their bravery, sacrifices and service. We hope you all give your pup a big hug tonight! Image Courtesy: Australian War Memorial

15.01.2022 Are you a veteran in need of immediate support? RSL Victoria’s Veteran Central ensures we can help you and your family find the right support services you need. Our experienced Case Navigators take the time to speak to you and your family about any immediate wellbeing needs. We then work with you to find services that match these needs. These services might be from the RSL, another Ex-Service Organisation, or a government program. ... If you’re a veteran or the family member of a veteran in need of immediate support please call 1300 MILVET (1300 645 838) between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. #rslveterancentral

15.01.2022 A breathtaking act of commemoration from the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, which has lit up in red in honour Remembrance Day. #RedtoRemember #LestWeForget

14.01.2022 When many of our service personnel return from their duties, not many identify that there are a number of veteran support services available via the RSL to ease them back into civilian life. One of the core services that we provide is that is important for a number of veterans is veteran advocacy. Most of us understand advocacy to be a process of seeking public support for or recommendation of a cause or policy. But inside the RSL advocacy means something else. In the RSL co...ntext, advocacy means providing support to veterans who are seeking entitlements, based on their service, from the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). Navigating the DVA claims process can be confusing, time-consuming and stressful, and at RSL Victoria, we often hear that veterans feel a sense of helplessness when it comes to the pursuing a claim through the DVA on their own. RSL Victorias advocacy support team exists to help veterans navigate the claims process. Our advocates are passionate and dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for Victorias veteran community. In 2019, saw advocacy at RSL Victoria reach new heights and the ability of the organisation to extend its reach in getting veterans from all over Victoria the support they need and deserve. Read our 2019 Annual Report article to get a real insight to what advocacy truly is and lengths our advocates go to at RSL Victoria to ensure that no veteran is left behind: https://bit.ly/3lh5VzH

14.01.2022 Recently Castlemaine RSL Sub-Branch reached 100 years of service within their local community. On behalf of RSL Victoria, we thank Castlemaine RSL for their dedication, hard-work and support of veterans and their families within their local community and for truly representing what the RSL take pride in, helping others. Congratulations on your centenary!

13.01.2022 On this day in 1915 the last AIF troops were evacuated from Gallipoli. The men who had survived Gallipoli would go on to celebrate Christmas on Lemnos, but the celebrations would be tinged with the sadness of leaving behind thousands of fallen comrades at Gallipoli, which had become their final resting place. Today we remember these brave Diggers who sacrificed so much for our freedom. #wewillrememberthem Pictured here is a game of cricket played on Shell Green in an attempt to distract the Turks from the imminent departure of allied troops. Image Courtesy: Australian War Memorial

13.01.2022 Gertie (the dog) is a secret weapon that RSL Victoria Advocate Hayley Neville uses to break down barriers with veterans as she helps them navigate the complex Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims process. Hayley who served in Afghanistan and Iraq for over a decade now works as a Veteran Advocate at RSL Victoria with her sidekick Gertie to go above and beyond to provide support to her fellow comrades in any way she can possible. Hayley is motivated by working as an Advocate knowing that the important role has meaning and purpose, in giving a veteran the chance to change their lives for the better. To get a real insight in to the day in the life of an RSL Victoria veteran advocate please read Hayleys story in our 2019 Annual Report: https://bit.ly/3lh5VzH

13.01.2022 Faces of WWII: Cecil Browning #VPDay75

12.01.2022 WWII veteran and Camperdown RSL Sub-Branch legend Bert Atwell was recently presented with his RSL Victoria Certificate of Gratitude for his service by the staff at Sunnyside House Aged Care. Bert and his brother both served in Australian Advanced Workshops in New Guinea. Bless you Bert and thank you for your service. #anzacspirit

12.01.2022 A special offer for our RSL Victoria Facebook family! After the hugely successful Music From The Home Front concert on ANZAC Day and the #1 album release that followed. Mushroom Group are kindly offering the RSL Victoria community the opportunity to purchase the historic Music From The Home Front album for just $2.99, which is a discount of more than fifteen dollars. This offer is available for the next 24 hours only! To access the offer go to this link https://fwd.rocks/R...SL and simply download the album to your PC or Mac, unzip and play, or add to your music player* The Music From the Home Front album features 27 tracks performed during the Music From The Home Front concert, including tracks from Colin Hay and Delta Goodrem, Jimmy Barnes with Diesel, Ian Moss, Mark Seymour, James Reyne, Archie Roach, The Wiggles, Paul Kelly, Guy Sebastian, G Flip, Birds of Tokyo, Crowded House and many more. Profits from the release will be donated to Support Act. A perfect purchase to get you through this ISO period.

11.01.2022 Designed to commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice, it was the celebration of Peace that was the inspiration for this project The symbolic Bird of Peace is depicted in the stainless steel panels. We have 47 birds taking flight to honour the 47 men from the Warburton area, who never returned from their service in WW1. The birds are amidst stylised trees as a symbol of the treed area these men called home. The Memorial on the western boundary - The Olive Tree is to honour... the service of our Peacekeepers who have followed in the footsteps of the ANZACS and served in so many areas of the World to make the world a better place for current and future generations. The Riverwalk entrance to our Peace Garden is our Path to Peace and we hope everyone who comes to our garden finds Peace in a place to reflect, relax, remember and give thanks to all who have served and their families, who have all made personal sacrifices to enable us to live in peace. We thank the Australian Government, the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank branches for their financial support to make this project possible We thank all businesses and the community members who donated their time and money to make a vision become a reality. Image: Part of Stainless Steel Panels honouring the 47 Warburton men lost in WW1. The panels symbolise the relief & joy to the world that the signing of the Armistice on 11th November 1918 brought to all, while honouring those who never returned. Story and image from Coral of Warburton RSL. #whereiremember

11.01.2022 The busy streets of Melbourne were stopped today at 11am by the sound of the Last Post. Here is footage from the iconic Flinders Street Station. #remembertoremember

10.01.2022 Today we show our support for R U OK Day. R U OK Day is a national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, "Are you OK?" and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling with lifes ups and downs. Mental illness is a common stigma within the veteran community, and we hold social efforts, such as R U OK Day, close to our hearts. So please remember to ask your loved ones, friends, colleagues or even a stranger "Are you ok?", it could ...be the difference in changing someones life for the better! If youre in need of some help or in the wrong headspace, please reach out for support or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 crisis support. For veterans and their families in need of help, please call Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 for free and confidential support. #ruok

09.01.2022 The War Horses Memorial was unveiled by the Purple Cross Society in 1926 using funds raised by Light Horsemen from the Boer War. The memorial was originally located on St Kilda Road Melbourne and was relocated to its current location on Birdwood Avenue, close to the Shrine of Remembrance in 1987. Sir John Monash unveiled the granite horse trough as a tribute to the 958,000 horses and mules killed in World War One. #whereiremember

09.01.2022 Get your workout on! RSL Active and RSL Active Warrnambool have teamed up to host weekly PT sessions, free for veterans and their families! The program has been quite the success amongst the veteran community with online PT sessions now being hosted on a Wednesday night and Saturday morning live from the Army Barracks in Warrnambool. Veterans and their families have been put through their paces, with a range of low-impact, but high-intensity workout activities. We hope all t...hose who have participated so far had some fun and enjoyed the online workouts! The 45 min online PT sessions will continue to run every Wednesday and Saturday on Zoom. To find out more about the program or to register to attend, please visit: https://bit.ly/2ZJGygG

09.01.2022 #wewillrememberthem

09.01.2022 Vietnam War Veteran Kevin Harker (7RAR) of Cohuna-Leitchville Sub-Branch R.S.L. commemorating his fellow comrades on Vietnam Veterans Day. Thank you Kevin for your service. #anzacspirit

08.01.2022 A throwback to Remembrance Day Eve! The iconic Flinders Street Station lit up in Red for all those who served both past and present!

08.01.2022 Congratulations to Ms Gwen Cherne on her appointment to the inaugural position of national Veteran Family Advocate. Ms Cherne is a defence spouse, a widow, and the mother of a current serving Australian Defence Force member. In her new position of national Veteran Family Advocate, Ms Cherne will play a significant role in promoting better outcome for veterans families. RSL Victoria looks forward to working with Ms Cherne. #veteransupport

08.01.2022 Wonderful to see volunteers from a number of our RSL Sub-Branches being COVID safe and raising money for the Poppy Appeal Australia with contactless payment methods. Many of our dedicated RSL volunteers will be in the local community safely fundraising today, if you happen to see them consider stopping to say ‘hi’ and purchasing and poppy. #poppyappeal

08.01.2022 Thank you all for tuning into our commemorative service for the 75th Anniversary of V.P. Day. Please dont forget we still have limited stock available of our V.P. Day Badge sets to mark the occasion! All proceeds raised go to veteran support services!

08.01.2022 HMAS Castlemaine is now on the Victorian Heritage Register. The 57 metre-ship which was used heavily during WWII, is now protected under the Heritage Act 2017. Made predominantly of welded steel, the ship was built in 1941 using locally sourced materials, including engines constructed by Thompsons of Castlemaine. It was launched by Dame Pattie Menzies, the wife of then Prime Minister of Australia, Sir Robert Menzies, on 7 August 1941, before being put into commission in 1942.... HMAS Castlemaine Museum Ship currently welcomes visitors on Gem Pier, Williamstown. Learn more about HMAS Castlemaine and book to visit the ship via https://hmascastlemaine.org.au/ Well done and congratulations to all involved in achieving this well-deserved piece of war history recognition. #wewillrememberthem Image Courtesy: Royal Australian Navy

08.01.2022 In September 2004, Karen McDonald, packed up her life in Brisbane and headed off on deployment to war-torn Iraq. The now retired Royal Australian Airforce Medical Assistant Manager, or more widely known as a Theatre Technician, served for over two decades and undertook multiple overseas deployments and postings around Australia. Unlike the pristine hospital conditions back home, Karen was met with demountable operating theatres and dirt, blood, fluids and cracks everywhere.... Still, it was widely considered one of the most advanced hospitals in warfare history and the equivalent to top trauma care centres in the developed world. The types of trauma presenting at the hospital were incomparable to what Karen would be exposed to in Australia. During her time there, the largest mass casualty event saw around 54 patients in an hour as a result of an explosion that rocked a crowded mess hall at Camp Merez at the airport south west of Mosul. While gunshot wounds, shrapnel injuries, burns victims, amputations, were all par for the course, the vision of some are ingrained in Karen’s mind forever. A little girl, maybe about 3 or 4 years old, she’d obviously been somewhere that was bombed. She had a piece of metal fragment lodged in what probably was her nose. That was probably one of the worst. It is not that Karen’s own multiple brushes with death have not plagued her, or even traumatised her at some point in her life, but she admits she was closed off emotionally and just did her job. Four months into her deployment, a surface to air missile came in. It didn’t explode but we heard it coming over the operating theatre. I thought ‘oh, that’s close!’ It basically dug in out the front of casualty. We were locked down until the bomb disposal unit could do a detonation of it, but it was probably only about 10, 20 metres max from the oxygen banks, which were massive, G size oxygen cylinders. If it had landed there, we would have been cactus. There wouldn’t have been anyone left. Karren completed one more deployment, in Malaysia, before she was medically discharged after 27 and a half years in the rank of Flight Sergeant. Since then Karen has been focused on being a full-time mum and settling back in to her home state of Victoria. This Remembrance Day, Karen was remembering her Grandfather who served with the Airforce in the Second World War and was also part of the Occupational Forces in Japan and her Uncle who was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross from his service during WW2. #remembertoremember

07.01.2022 Although commemoration this year for Remembrance Day was modified due to COVID Safe laws, RSL's across Victoria still made the most of the day in ensuring all our Diggers both past and present were remembered safely. With outdoor commemoration allowed for up to 10 guests, Sub-Branches within the network held beautiful services around Victoria. Here we see Yea-Kinglake RSL Sub-Branch commemorating Remembrance Day 2020 at the Yea Cenotaph with a beautiful floral tribute. A lovely piece of commemoration by Yea-Kinglake RSL! #remembertoremember

07.01.2022 We would like to congratulate Orbost RSL Sub Branch on reaching 100 years of service and support to veterans, their families and the local community. Enjoy the well deserved milestone.

07.01.2022 Vasey RSL Care - Call for Expressions of Interest Vasey RSL Care was formed in the early 2000s after the amalgamation of RSL Victoria and War Widow guild aged care facilities. There are currently two RSL nominated company member vacancies at Vasey RSL Care, and the RSL appointed Board Director is due for re-nomination at the Vasey RSL Care Pty Ltd Annual General Meeting in November. We are seeking expressions of interest, and you can view all the details by following the link provided: https://bit.ly/2DZmwXM

06.01.2022 Congratulations to Brigadier Philip Winter on his appointment to the role at CEO RSL National. Brigadier Winter joins RSL National after a career in the Australian Army and the Australian Federal Police. We look forward to working with Brigadier Winter when he begins at RSL National in the new year. Visit our website to read more about Brigadier Winter’s appointment: https://bit.ly/3qGTijR Image Courtesy: Invictus Games

06.01.2022 To all our online community and members of our RSL Sub-Branches right across Victoria, Merry Christmas and please be safe this festive season. Enjoy time with your loved ones and don't forget to look after one another! Image Courtesy: ADF

06.01.2022 In the lead up to Remembrance Day each year we are pleased to partner with the incredible Springvale War Cemetery to organise and deliver the Annual State Remembrance Service; which of course looked a little bit different this year pre-recorded in a COVIDSafe way! The team at the Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust have recently published an amazing new and free electronic book called the Victorian War Heritage Book.... We encourage our followers to grab a copy and have a read via this link https://smct.org.au/victorian-war-heritage-book

05.01.2022 Avoca is a small town located in the Pyranees shire of regional Victoria. The Avoca Soldiers Memorial was dedicated to the memory of the 137 men from the local area who served in the First World War including 29 who paid the ultimate sacrifice. A Local Soldiers Memorial Committee first started raising funds to build a memorial in 1918. The memorials octagonal design was selected in September 1921. The full cost of the memorial, 1800, and raised by public subscription. The r...oof of the memorial is supported by eight columns and features the main battlefields on which volunteers from Avoca served during the WWI, which were: Gallipoli, France, Palestine, and Belgium. Four sides of the rotunda feature low walls with a soldiers helmet and pack in relief. Freestanding granite slabs are inscribed with the names of display the names of Avoca men who served in the two World Wars. One of the names etched in granite is that of Lieutenant James Sutherland Beavis MC who served with the 39th Infantry Battalion on the Western Front in WWI. Mr. Beavis enlisted in Ararat on the 27th March 1916 and departed for war just two months later on the HMAT Ascanius. Below is a description of the events on the 3rd December 1917 for which Lieutenant Beavis was awarded the Military Cross: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a raid on the enemy, he was leader of the flank storming party and led his men with splendid dash and excellent judgement. He was the first to enter the enemy trench and did not leave until the last of his party had withdrawn. On several occasions, he rendered invaluable service in reconnoitring the ground in front of the enemy line, and supplied information which materially assisted in the success of the whole operation. Lieutenant Beavis was wounded three times and died of wounds in France on the 13th July 1918. #whereiremember

03.01.2022 Edith Cavell was a British nurse in German-occupied Belgium during World War One. Originally from Norfolk in the East of England, Edith Cavell worked as a governess in Belgium before returning to England to train to be a nurse. After working at various hospitals in London and Manchester, Nurse Cavell accepted the role of Matron in Belgiums first training hospital and school for nurses in Brussels. Nurse Cavell was visiting family in Norfolk when the First World War broke out... in 1914 and felt that it was her duty to return immediately to her post in Brussels. The advancing German forces had occupied Brussels by the 20th August 1914 and the nursing school became a Red Cross Hospital which treated soldiers from both sides as well as civilians. Following the Battle of Mons in September 1914, Nurse Cavell was asked to treat two wounded British soldiers who had become trapped behind German lines. After treating the men in her hospital, she arranged for them to be smuggled to safety in neutral Netherlands. Over the following 11 months, she operated as part of an underground network which helped approximately 200 Belgian, British and French soldiers escape from German capture. Nurse Edith Cavell was arrested on 5th August 1915 and was one of 35 members involved with the network charged by court martial on the 7th October 1915. Nurse Cavell was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death by firing squad. The night before she was due to be executed, Nurse Cavell told a reverend that They have all been very kind to me here. But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God and eternity: I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone. She was executed on 12th October 1915, aged just 49 years old. Prominent Melbourne woman Mrs Annie Robinson considered Nurse Cavell a modern Joan of Arc commenced campaigning for a local monument to be constructed within a month of her death. A total of 26,000 was raised by Victorians to fund the building of the memorial which was unveiled on Remembrance Day 1926. The Melbourne Nurse Edith Cavell Memorial consists of a marble bust of Nurse Cavell carved by renowned Melbourne sculptor Margaret Baskerville who also designed four cast-bronze panels which are located on the granite pedestal. Each of the bronze panels portray scenes from Nurse Cavells life including her arrest while tending to wounded soldiers and subsequent execution. Im glad that I visited this monument to a truly extraordinary woman and implore anyone visiting the nearby Shrine of Rembrance to do the same. #whereiremember

03.01.2022 The South African War Memorial was erected in 1902 as a tribute to the sixty-five St Kilda who served in the Boer War including seven who were killed while on duty. Located in the centre of Alfred Square, the monument consists of a tall obelisk covered with distinct green tiles on a granite-covered plinth. Three sides of the obelisk feature honour rolls with a life-size Australian soldier is located on the seaward side, all constructed in tile. The memorial also features euca...lyptus (gum tree) leaves and nuts as subtle Australian patriotic symbols. One of the men featured on the memorial is Corporal Robert Patrick Norton Robertson of Portsea. Corporal Robertson was serving with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles when he was killed in action while serving in Transvaal. Few details of Corporal Robertsons life exist more than a century on, but my heart goes out to him and the more than 600 Australians who died so far from home while serving in the Boar War. #whereiremember

02.01.2022 The Oarsmens Cenotaph stand on the bank of the Yarra as a tribute to Victorian rowers who were killed in the First World War. Located on Boathouse Drive Melbourne, the cenotaph was constructed in 1924 by the Victorian Rowing Association and consists of a cylindrical stone structure featuring brass plates bearing the names of 316 Victorian rowers killed. The cenotaph is topped with a small stone vessel which represents both a rowing trophy and a funeral urn. One of the names ...immortalised by the Oarsmens Cenotaph is that of Second Lieutenant Colin Richard Campbell who was a keen sportsman; participating in cricket, football, rifle as well as rowing competitions. In addition to his sporting achievements, Campbell was a distinguished academic who received a residence at prestigious Trinity College. Campbells war service started when he travelled to England where he obtained a commission in the Highland Light Infantry. Second Lieutenant Colin Richard Campbell travelled with the Highland Light Infantry Mesopotamia (now Iraq) where he was killed in action on 11th January 1917. His final resting place is on the left bank of the Tigris as one of 4,621 Commonwealth soldiers buried in the Amara War Cemetery. #whereiremember

02.01.2022 The Driver and Wipers Memorial uses two statues originally designed by acclaimed English sculptor Charles Sargeant Jagger to commemorate the 38,000 casualties that Australia suffered in Ypres, Belgium from August to November 1917. Located on each side of a sandstone wall, each of the statues is a recasting of earlier works by Jagger, with the "Driver" figure being one of four figures from the 1925 Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park London. The "Wipers" statue is a recastin...g of a figure featured in the 1922 Hoylake and West Kirby War Memorial in Merseyside, United Kingdom. Both statues depict their subjects as stoic, war-weary men rather than the noble soldiers often used in Australian war memorials. The Driver statue depicts a British soldier stood at ease, leaning back against a parapet with his cape hanging over his outstretched arms, suggesting exhaustion. In addition to his British uniform, the Driver is wearing breeches, protective legging and spurs while holding a horse whip and bridles which all would have been essential tools to drive the teams of horses used to pull artillery pieces during WWI. The Wipers figure is a British infantry soldier dressed in full battle attire with his helmet pushed back off his head and a .303 rifle with fixed bayonet held across his waist. A German helmet can be seen between the statues feet. The word "Wipers" is actually a reference to the way that Australian and British servicemen pronounced "Ypres" during the First World War. Charles Sargeant Jagger had himself had served in the British Army at Gallipoli and in France and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. #whereiremember

02.01.2022 Are you a veteran or the family member of a veteran who needs some extra support at this time? Our friendly Case Navigators at RSL Victoria's Veteran Central, like Sarah (pictured), are here to help! Sarah and all our Case Navigators will happily connect you with welfare, support and wellbeing services. These services might be within RSL programs, other Ex-Service Organisations, or from the DVA or the Commonwealth aged care system. Speak to Sarah or one of our many Case Navigators by calling 1300 MILVET (1300 645 838) between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and get the support you and your family need! #rslveterancentral

02.01.2022 Today marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Each year on the 18th of August also known as Vietnam Veterans Day, we honour and commemorate all those who served in Vietnam, including the 521 Australians who died and more than 3,000 people who were wounded, injured or became ill as a result of the conflict. The Battle of Long Tan, on 18 August 1966, was one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War, involving 105 Australians and three Ne...w Zealanders from D Company 6RAR. A total of 17 Australians were killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of his wounds. 53 years on we still remember these brave men and women who fought our freedom and will never forget the sacrifices they made to protect our beautiful country. Please keep these brave individuals in your thoughts today. #lestweforget Images Courtesy: The Australian War Memorial

01.01.2022 Meet the great Peg Utting of Highett RSL Sub Branch Inc! Peg is a 97 year old WWII WAAAF veteran and was enlisted in the first intake of women in 1941. Peg received her 75th Anniversary commemorative medallion after celebrating V.P Day on Saturday and is proud as punch, as you can see! Bless you and thank you for your service Peg! #VPDay75

01.01.2022 #Check5 This holiday period! This holiday season we encourage all veterans and their family members to square away their mental health and check in with 5 people in their lives. Connect with them, yarn with them and motivate them to act. #check5 #CheckYourMates Learn more about the campaign by visiting Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling

01.01.2022 The Answering the Call statue in Port Melbourne was erected in 2015 to honour the service of men and women from the two naval services, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Womens Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS) in addition to the RANs Nurses. The statue was the vision of Second World War veteran Lieutenant Commander Mackenzie Gregory RAN (RTD) who wanted to celebrate the naval presence in Port Melbourne from 1859 to 1992. Designed by Louis Laumen, the bronze sculpture takes the form of a sailor in Second World War uniform holding his kitbag and signalling towards the Port Melbourne piers. The sailor is looking out at the entry to Port Phillip Bay and the open sea beyond as a reminder of those who did not return from service. #whereiremember

01.01.2022 #Check5 This holiday period! This holiday season we encourage all veterans and their family members to square away their mental health and check in with 5 people in their lives. Connect with them, yarn with them and motivate them to act. #check5 #CheckYourMates Learn more about the campaign by visiting Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling

01.01.2022 The RSL position is that any consideration of the Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) for the Special Operations Task Group is premature. Read the media release via the link: https://bit.ly/3qnl19r This an extremely sensitive issue. Current and ex-serving members of the ADF and families in need of support are encouraged to reach out to RSL Victoria's Veteran Central, via 1300 MILVET (1300 645 838) or please call Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 for free and confidential 24/7 support.

01.01.2022 Today we commemorate Victory in the Pacific and the end of the Second World War! Victory in the Pacific Day, or VP Day, commemorates the end of the Second World War on August 14, 1945, when Japan accepted the terms of the unconditional surrender set by the Allied Nations. Also known as VJ Day, or Victory over Japan Day, it is commemorated on August 15, the day that Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the end of the war in a radio broadcast, before the signing of... the official surrender took place on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan, on September 2, 1945. VP Day meant an end to Australias war against Japan in the Pacific; a war that had begun half a world away in Europe that was brought close to home after Japans unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, We remember the sacrifices and service of our Diggers who fought for our freedom in the Pacific. #wewillrememberthem. Image Courtesy: Australian War Memorial