The Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch ) Inc President’s Report January - December 2010 The Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch Inc.) ACN A0028777L Patron: Her Majesty the Queen Members of State Executive: Messrs K V Rossi AM OBE RFD ED, State President: Major General D J McLachlan AO R N Slaughter, Chief Executive Officer: Colonel M H Annett CSC J Paterson*, State Senior Vice President: Dr R S Webster A T Wilson AM PSM RFD, F Matons OAM*, State Vice President: Mr G McL Logan RFD P J Byrne OAM*, State Honorary Treasurer: Mr J F Cullen OAM H Heslop JP, Chief Financial Officer: Mr M P Sherlock M L Johns*, M S Brown JP, D Lewien, J McKay (Resigned Nov 2010), G Keating (Appointed Nov 2010) Mrs A Pahl *(Retired July 2010) Victorian Branch Corporate Plan 2008– 2015 Vision Statement Objectives In 2015, the Victorian Branch of the Returned & Services League will • Ensure that our veterans and their dependants and all our members continue to be the most relevant ex-service organisation in the State have ready access to Welfare and Pensions Services having broadened our membership and enhanced our profile and • Facilitate high quality aged care and accommodation for those appeal in the community. members in need of such consideration • Maintain appropriate commemorative activities Mission Statement • Maximize availability and use of technology and resources To support the well being and betterment of our members, (former • Further develop appropriate strategies incorporating best practice and other serving and ex-serving men and women of the ADF), and to achieve: their dependants, with the provision of welfare and commemorative a. Broadening and growth of our membership services and, where appropriate, contribute to worthy needs within b. Enhancement of our image/relevance and appeal to the wider the broader community. community • Ensure the RSL’s integrity • Embrace other ex-Service Organisations • Foster Pride in Australia and Loyalty to our Nation • Engage the Youth of the State in the Affairs of the League • Develop Effective Communication Strategies • Foster and enhance Working Relationships between the State Branch and Sub-Branches • Lead our Sub-Branches to Superior Performance • Encourage Good Comradeship Front & Back Cover: Shrine of Remembrance, David Grant from John Brown Photography services Contents Report Page RSL Victorian Branch State Executive 1 Message from the State President 2 Chief Executive Officer’s Notes 4 Reports 7 Veteran Welfare & Entitlement Support 7 Aged & Health Support 9 Veterans Affairs, Welfare & Aged Care Coordinating Committee 11 Membership of the League 12 Appeals in 2010 13 Memorials & Commemorations 14 Property Committee 14 Youth & Community 15 RSL Licensed Sub-Branches Association 16 Activities of the League 18 Kindred Organisations & Unit Associations Committee 18 Storywriting & Arts Competition 19 Mufti 20 Sporting Associations 20 RSL Womens’ Council 21 Commemoration Ceremonies 22 ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day 2010 22 State RSL Annual Remembrance Service Springvale 2010 23 State & National Conferences 24 2010 State Conference 24 2010 National Congress 25 Personnel 26 Vale 27 State Executive 27 Sub-Branch Membership 28 Awards 30 Sub-Branch Reports 31 State Honorary Treasurer’s Report 35 Financial Statements 36 RSL Victorian Branch State Executive 2010/2011 State Executive Members left to right: Seated: Anne Pahl, George McL Logan RFD, Michael Annett CSC, MajGen David McLachlan AO, Dr Robert Webster, John Cullen OAM Standing: Tony Wilson AM PSM RFD RAN (Rtd), David Lewien, Graham Keating, R Neil Slaughter, Harold Heslop JP, Keith Rossi AM OBE RFD ED, Mark Brown Absent: Mark Sherlock (Inset) 1 Message from the State President Major General David McLachlan AO 2010 certainly presented its challenges. One can never ceased to to assist in meeting our recruiting targets and, in the main, they have be amazed at the achievements of our Branch and Sub-Branches been successful as can be seen from the figures contained in this in continuing to provide support to our members and indeed the Report. Our membership holds up well, with Affiliate membership wider community, particularly in regional Victoria. While we speak now almost on par with that of our Service membership. We must of members, the League makes no distinction when it comes to the be thankful for the support provided by Affiliates as they undertake serving and ex-service men and women of the Australian Defence more and more of the Committee and commemoration roles within Force who are in need, be it for welfare or advocacy support in our Sub-Branches. pursuit of entitlements – and that’s how it should be. Financially the Branch has done well again with a surplus of $353,902 In the pages that follow in this Report is exacting detail of the work being achieved in the Administration Account for Vic Branch. This undertaken by the various sections of the Headquarters and indeed is a continuation of our desire to provide a sound financial footing some of our Sub-Branches. I encourage you to read these reports as for future years. they provide a significant insight into what we are all about. New arrangements post August 2012 for our Licensed Sub- With that in mind, you will see that we continue to maintain a very Branches were codified with the decision to go with the gaming positive focus on our core business of welfare and the support of service provider TGS made by those Sub-Branches in June. All Sub- those who serve and have served and the commemoration of the Branches within the network, with the exception of one, signed up brave deeds of men and women in the defence of our country. to this arrangement and it is a tribute to the strength of the network that the arrangements accepted could be put in place. While some To this end, the Community Benefit Statement for 2010, issued may believe that they could have perhaps done better had they separately to this Annual Report, will show that throughout the year gone out on their own, it was the network coming together to look we had working in the Branch and in our Sub-Branches some 7,700 after the smaller Sub-Branches that was incredibly important. As volunteers who provided 1,114,032 volunteer hours of support and State President I congratulate the network on this decision. assistance to both the ex-service and wider community in pursuit of the objects of the League. Our volunteers are the life blood of the 2011 will present many challenges as we come to grips with various RSL and ensure that we remain both connected with and supported changes that are occurring in the environment in which we operate. by the wider community. There will be some Sub-Branches that will need our assistance to continue their operations to August 2012. There will be others that Our Aged & Health Support Department works diligently to ensure will need to merge or indeed close. ANZAC House is very aware of that our volunteers are well informed in undertaking their roles, those situations and will work closely with affected Sub-Branches whether that be in relation to the dissemination of new legislation to ensure the best outcome, not only for themselves but for the that may impact on them or relevant to heightening the public League as a whole within the State of Victoria. image of the RSL as a volunteering organisation. Some of our more traditional Sub-Branches will have difficulty During 2010, over $250,000 was provided to the education of through declining membership because of the passing of our World and assistance to the young; $1,170,000 to sporting clubs and War II veterans and we will work with them to ensure the continuation the maintenance of sporting facilities within Sub-Branches; and of the great work that they and their forefathers have done. a further $990,000 in welfare and support services. This is an incredible outcome which can only be applauded. I know that we at ANZAC House look forward to the challenges of 2011 and we ask you to work with us to overcome them. Despite the economic environment, the Victorian public very generously supported both our appeals this year. The ANZAC May I, on your behalf , thank all of the staff at ANZAC House, Appeal saw an increase of over $207,000 on that of 2009 and the both paid and voluntary, for the great work that they have done Poppy Appeal an increase of over $242,000 based on the previous throughout the year in support of our extensive network of Sub- year. These results are outstanding and we are ever grateful to the Branches and thank you for the support that you provide to us at community and the many volunteers from within the League and ANZAC House in achieving our objectives. the other external corporations and agencies that support us in this very important aspect of our work. The proceeds of both appeals To my personal staff, I say a sincere thank you to Rosemary and are Patriotic Funds and are used for those purposes. Elizabeth. I particularly thank Louise for her support and help in this role. Membership continues to grow despite the loss of some from that wonderful band of World War II veterans. However, there are still many in the community that we need to attract, both those who have served and/or serving and those that fit into the Affiliate categories. Several programs were conducted throughout the year 2 ANZAC House Staff and Volunteers 2011 left to right: Seated: Mark Johnson, Jeff Jackson OAM, Michael Annett CSC, David McLachlan AO, Brian Cairns, Wendy Bateman Standing: Ian Ward OAM, Geraldine Goodlet, Elizabeth Weir, Bill Mountford, Lilian Ly, Peter Smith OAM, Rosemary Kennedy, Liz Guthrie, Tony Ruddell, Jude Beshears, Bernard Churchill, Luke Gilholme, Julie Murphy, Penny Dixon, Linda Mancuso, Sharen Peart, Bryan Arendse, Penny Gressieux, Bruce Errol, Sue Nicholson, Elizabeth Mansfield Absent: Wayne Bell, Robert Buchanan, Diana David, Erica D’Lasselle, Bob Greig, John Hanlon, Graham Marty, Steve Nativo, Mark Sherlock, Bruce Turner, Linda Yemm 3 Chief Executive Officer’s Notes Colonel Michael Annett CSC 2010 has been a year of continued achievement in the delivery of involved.