Dear Members

Interim Board Newsletter January 2018

Happy New Year! As we begin 2018, the tempo in State Branch remains as fast as ever! Our staff levels were, necessarily, reduced to an affordable level late last year and, as you would expect, the work load remains heavy. Much of the work may not be immediately visible to you, our members but it is there. Whilst our focus remains on our core pillars of Advocacy, Welfare, Mateship (and Mentoring) and Commemoration, there is much work to do in the remedial space – this includes compliance with ACNC governance requirements (necessary to ensure we do not lose our charitable status) and compliance with the requirements of the Administration of the DOCAs, together with all the normal RSL functions that need to be sustained. Progress is being made on all these fronts, but as I said, it may not be immediately evident to all. Likewise, although we have the best of intent, not everything can be done immediately. Many things that you have become used to might not be done within a timeline you would like and we apologise for that.

In spite of the challenges, many very good things are occurring and I am pleased with the upbeat and positive approach being adopted by all in our proud organisation.

Sub-Branch Visits All Board Members have been out and about attending events and visiting sub-branches. Since I last wrote we have visited: Port Pirie Palmerston Kensington Gardens Robertstown Port Elliott Payneham Goolwa Gilles Plains/Hampstead Largs Bay Colonel Light Gardens McLaren Vale Salisbury West Croydon/Kilkenny Henley & Grange Nuriootpa Pinnaroo Willunga Lameroo Mannum Cummins – Yeelanna Gawler Murray Bridge Royal Australian Regiment Morphett Vale Lockleys Police Sub Branch Walkerville Women’s Sub Branch

Australia Day Honours I offer my sincere congratulation to the following members of the ex-service community who were recognised on Australia Day. Good on you! You are all worthy recipients and your recognition enhances your image and that of the RSL and veteran community. Thank you for your service.  Norm Ginn, OAM. For service to the community of Victor Harbor.  Trevor Whitelaw, OAM. For service to veterans and their families, to lawn bowls and to the environment.  Bill Mc Evoy, OAM. For service to veterans particularly, through the Rats of Tobruk Association.  David Lyas, OAM. For service to youth in .  David Helman, OAM. For service to veterans and their families.  Keith Harrison, Australia Day Medallion. For service to the RSL.  Ken Brown, Australia Day Medallion. For service to the RSL.

Appointment of Interim CEO and the selection process for a Permanent CEO. When our last CEO resigned we were in a potentially difficult space. Fortunately, a former RAAF , Samantha Hewitt was able to join us on very short notice and step in on an interim basis. Sam has done a marvellous job helping us meet the ACNC deadlines that are of time-sensitive nature. She has done some excellent work in a range of areas, especially corporate governance. We had some immediate challenges and Sam’s experience, professionalism, corporate knowledge, capacity to prioritize and focus on the important issues was refreshing. Sam was only ever a short-term emergency solution. When she joined us, she had already accepted a position volunteering overseas when she joined us and will be finishing up at the end of February.

We began the selection of a new permanent CEO late last year. The RSL engaged Fish Recruiting to assist us in this process, Fish used both SEEK and LinkedIn to advertise and identify suitable candidates. We received 52 responses to our ads and of those 14 were interviewed by Fish Recruiting. Four suitable candidates have been interviewed by a selection committee last week. The selection committee was made up of myself and three randomly selected Sub Branch Presidents. The Selection Panel feels they have found a very suitable candidate. In due course I expect to make a recommendation to the State Board and an announcement to all the members.

In the senior management space, we are pleased to announce the appointment of an experienced ex-CEO, Mr David Walshaw, to assist us in the development of our corporate policy framework and to help us meet our ongoing ACNC obligations. David’s position has not been funded by RSL-SA, but instead has been made possible due to a grant of $25,000 made from the Board of RSL Care SA.

Finance Committee Our finance committee has been established with appropriate expertise provided on a voluntary basis. It is chaired by Geoff Tattersall. Geoff is a former CEO for SA Health and he is also one of our Regional Coordinators. The committee is focussed on ensuring that a robust financial system exists and that the State Board is provided with reliable advice upon which to make informed decisions on matters with a financial consequence. The finance committee has concluded that early indications are that our financial performance is better than DOCA forecasts, despite there being some uncertainties that remain to be clarified. Some difficulties are being experienced with completing financial audit statements for 2016 and 2017 because financial records are still with the Administrators. A robust budget for 2018 is expected to be recommended to the State Board very soon.

Avoca Hotel The Avoca Hotel is our prime financial investment. We know there are serious concerns about how we came to own a hotel and we understand that. Nevertheless, our job in respect of this investment is quite clear - we must make it work!!! A new Avoca Board has been determined and they work long and hard to ensure this objective is met. The pub business is tough at the best of times and now is no different. Having said that, we are hopeful of some positive news on the financial front in the near future - when it happens you will be the first to know.

As some may know, the Avoca has recently appointed a new General Manager, Mr Ben White. Ben has a sound background in the hospitality sector, having worked in a range of roles in a number of Adelaide hotels. Most recently he was the owner/manager of “The Verve”, in Westfield Marion shopping centre which he built into a successful operation over the last six years before selling the business in mid-2017. I encourage you all to get down to the Avoca whenever you can and say g’day to Ben. It is the perfect place for a family dinner or a quiet drink with friends. It is an exceptionally good venue for any informal ESO type meeting or function and discounts apply to RSL members.

Advocacy There has been some progress in this critical area. While keeping a close eye on our finances we are looking to direct additional paid resources to better support and hopefully increase current paid and volunteer capacity in Welfare and Advocacy.  BEST Funding Did you know that SA appears to be getting a rough deal in the Advocacy $ stakes? Research undertaken by the Veterans’ Centre at Plympton Glenelg RSL reveals that in the last five years our state share of BEST funding has dropped from 8.4% of the national allocation to 2.5%. At the same time BEST funds have

2

increased nationally by 39%. Of course, the situation is a lot more complex than those simple stats, but it does reveal a case that I think warrants investigation on behalf of all ESOs in SA who access BEST funds.  Late last year I spoke with the Hon Dan Tehan MP re the inappropriate restriction placed on our RSL BEST funding. It is our BEST funding that finances a large part our Advocacy services. When we went into Administration, the DVA had issues with RSL financial management and the fact that funds had not been spent for the approved purpose, nor acquitted. Accordingly, DVA determined that we could only receive BEST funding retrospectively. This was a tough and discriminatory decision that put us under enormous financial pressure. I advocated to then Minister Tehan and said that the Interim Board had presented a plan that saw our Charitable Status retained. Minister Tehan acknowledged that. Minister Tehan has now moved on. I have written to newly appointed Minister, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, to ensure he understands the issues we face and like Minister Tehan, will act to remedy them.  Veterans’ Centres. The project designed to establish “Veterans Centres” (VCs) is proceeding well. We have support of many RSLs and other ESOs. VCs at Plympton Glenelg and Payneham have really taken the lead on this, but other Sub-Branches are doing extremely well. As I said in my last newsletter, over 300 veterans need our help and the number of claims we are receiving is increasing.  Flinders Medical Centre Rehabilitation and Aged Care Reconditioning Gymnasium. As many might know this facility was opened on 6 Nov 17. While the facility has been well received there are some teething problems. This is to be expected. The RSL is liaising with patients and clients and is advocating via the Veterans’ Advisory Council (VAC) and the Veterans’ Health Advisory Council (VHAC) to ensure all issues impacting veterans who now use the FMC are addressed. To that end, any member who wishes to pass on their views (positive and otherwise) to me is encouraged to do so. We can only support you if we know what your concerns are!  Advocacy Service. Service as an Advocate is about the most valuable service you can render in the ESO space. It is an extension of the ethic of your military service – putting yourself forward in the best interests of your colleagues. We are always looking for more Advocates. There is much work to be done and the load is shared between too few. New legislation means formal training is required, but I am told the rewards are great! If you have time on your hands and are interested in making a truly valuable contribution to your veteran colleagues, young and old, please contact the Acting CEO.

World War II Oral History Project As many will recall from my last Newsletter, we have partnered the VVA and the VVF in an Oral History Project that involved interviewing 20 World War II veterans. This valuable project is all but complete. All veterans are over 90 and one has cracked the ton! We have interviewed exceptional people who have made a marvellous contribution to our nation. Veterans of El Alamein, Tobruk, and the Kokoda Track. Men and women who served on land, sea and in the air. Men and women who were decorated for gallantry and some who spent long dark years as prisoners of war. Each of them had an exceptional story to tell and the recording of that story is essential if we are to be true to their service. I am pleased to note that two of our subjects, Norm Ginn and Bill Mc Evoy (Rat of Tobruk) were honoured in the Australia Day Honours list. We have done that and the Virtual War Memorial, University SA and each individual member will be the beneficiary. We are indebted to the State Government Commemoration Council for providing the funding necessary to support this project. The benefit of this project is already evident with external bodies like Uni SA loud in their praise of this RSL initiative which they see as “immensely valuable.”

Commemoration - William Charles Westbury The RSL is proud to partner the Aboriginal Veterans of (AVSA) Committee, the VVA, and the VVF to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the passing of a unique Aboriginal South Australian. William Charles Westbury is the only Aboriginal from South Australia (that we know of) who served in the Boer War. Not only that, he then enlisted for World War I and landed at Gallipoli with 10th Battalion at dawn on the first ANZAC Day! He served the entire Gallipoli Campaign, other than a short period of 22 days when he was evacuated to England having been shot in the foot! He returned to duty at Gallipoli and participated in the final withdrawal of all the Australian troops in early December 1915. Service with 50th Battalion on the Western Front followed, before he returned to Australia to live a wonderfully productive life in the South East. William Westbury is not well known; however, his pet kangaroo is! Many will recall the famous photograph of Australian training in Egypt in World War I. In the back ground are the pyramids and in the foreground are some soldiers feeding a baby kangaroo. I’m sure you recall the shot. Well, the kangaroo belonged to William Westbury! It was a gift from a storekeeper at Pinnaroo (from where Westbury enlisted) Seven young men enlisted with William and a local man for whom William had worked (Mr M J O’Loughlan) gave them the joey as a parting gift.

3

William Westbury died on 20 February 1936 and the 82nd anniversary of his death will be acknowledged with a commemorative service and the unveiling of his restored grave, which, for the first time will record and honour his Boer War service.

The event will be attended by members of William’s family, local townsfolk, and representatives of many rural RSL Sub- Branches. School children from nearby schools will be bussed in for the event. This service will recognise unique service and will be a marvellous education for the young people of the district. All are welcome but a particular invitation is extended to members of Region C1 – Pinnaroo, Lameroo, Loxton, Morgan, Barmera, Berri, Blanchetown, Renmark, Swan Reach and Waikerie. The event commences at the Pinnaroo Cemetery at 10.45am on Tue 20 Feb 18 and will be followed by a BBQ at the Pinnaroo Football Club. I would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal Veterans of South Australia Committee who will conduct this event and thank the University of South Australia who have funded it.

Welfare Calls for Welfare assistance continue and we are pleased to be able to support those in need. Through Sub-Branches we support about a dozen veterans each month. We know that these men and women are genuinely in need and are sincere. Sometimes welfare support can be provided in the form of advice and explanation re options available. The welfare support we provide comes from donations, from the contributions made by sub branches and from our various appeals. For those that have helped – thank you very much. I note the excellent work being carried out by volunteers who are undertaking on-line training in the area of Welfare. We have a number of veterans and family members who have volunteered in this important space.

Mateship and Mentoring Mateship is a core value of the RSL. Mostly it is delivered per vibrant and active Sub-Branches. Mentoring is a way we hope we can attract and help younger, contemporary veterans. We are an older cohort – 88% of our membership are over 50 years. We must however have an eye for the future and that involves the new breed - the younger, contemporary veterans. Mentoring and assisting any younger veterans you meet is a good way to show you are interested in them and to ensure they are cared for as they should be. What does Mentoring entail? Well in most cases it is about Supporting, Guiding and Advising. The 88% of us over 50 years have seen a bit and probably have more relevant information that we think. Just listening to a young veteran and trying to help them with whatever problem they face can be a good start.

Governance It is somewhat of an understatement to say that good governance is critical to the success of every Sub-Branch. State Branch has had to address this and although this task is massive, we are achieving the milestones set for us by the ACNC. We have agreed a compliance framework and are working hard to achieve it. There is much for Sub-Branches to learn from the experiences of State Branch and, indeed, issues interstate. Your Sub-Branch might have its corporate and financial governance humming nicely, however, legislative obligations change from time to time and you are encouraged to keep abreast of them. Do not leave yourselves vulnerable! If you have any queries whatsoever seek advice.

Appointment of Regional Coordinators In an organisation like ours, good communication is critical. I know that – I truly get it! With that in mind, I am pleased to report that four members have stepped up to take on Regional Coordinator roles. Three are new appointments and one is extending his portfolio. Together they will give Regional Coordinator coverage to an additional 21 sub-branches, all of whom did not have Regional Coordinator cover. My sincere thanks to these members who have “stood up” and are already kicking goals.

The newly appointed/ extended Regional Coordinators are:

Garry Wellington – Region G1 Stanley (Auburn, Clare and Districts, Brinkworth Koolunga and Yacka, Burra and Riverton). Peter Lehman – Region D2 Yorke Peninsula (Ardrossan, Edithburgh, Port Victoria, Port Vincent, Stansbury and Yorketown) Leo Pollard - Region G2 Northern Areas (Jamestown, Laura and Peterborough).

4

Rod Murray – In addition to his current role as Regional Coordinator of Region A5 Southern Metro Rod has taken on Region C1 Alexandra (Goolwa, Kangaroo Island, McLaren Vale, Port Elliot, Victor Harbor, Willunga and Yankalilla)

RSL State Board Elections As you will all recall, the Interim Board was asked to step up by the Administrators. Indeed, had not the Interim Board accepted that invitation the RSL would have ceased to exist in its current form. All invited members accepted the invitation, however, only until the normal election cycle can be restored this July. Those Sub Branch members who are interested in a leadership role with the State Branch are invited to consult the Constitution. Having a good field of qualified applicants at our next election will ensure a robust and healthy result. You will hear more about our forthcoming elections in coming weeks.

Forthcoming South Australian State Elections The next state election will be conducted on Sat 17 Mar 18. As noted earlier, the role of the RSL as a strong Advocate on your behalf cannot be underestimated. To that end the State Board is keen to know what State matters concern you. Within the veteran’s arena what do you think is important? I want to create a “Veteran’s Platform” (call it a “wish list” if you like) and discuss that with those who will contest the next election. You deserve to be heard and the RSL is here to ensure you get a voice.

Conclusion As I said in my last Newsletter, we the Board are here for you, the members, are the RSL. It is essential that I know what it is you want from the organisation and how we can make it better. We are here to serve – our comrades, our membership and our community. I encourage you to keep in touch so that we may achieve these objectives together. Should you have any concerns that really worry you, then we invite you to contact us direct. We can be contacted as follows as follows:

Bronson Horan 0435 866 952 Cheryl Cates 0414 525 915 Bill Denny 0449 702 525 Trevor Whitelaw 0438 830 323 Craig Rivett 0400 669 689

Finally, as always, my thanks go to our staff and all the wonderful volunteers who continue to serve us so well.

Yours sincerely

Bronson Horan Interim State President

(08) 8100 7300

5