RSL Victoria Community Benefits Report 2017 Introduction RSL Victoria’s key mission is to provide support services to current and former service men and women and their dependents in times of need. This has been our core mission since our establishment in 1916 and now, over one hundred years later, we continue to uphold our mission during significant Commemorative events throughout the year supporting our volunteers, staff and extended community. There are over 280 Sub-Branches throughout the state of Victoria and it is likely that when travelling from the most north east point to the most south west point of the state, you will come across numerous sets of RSL signage, Cenotaphs and Avenues of Honour. Our presence represents the outpouring of support for the Returned & Services League by Victorians of all ages in these communities. In 2017, our licensed Sub-Branches collectively donated over $7.7 million in support of their communities and contributed over $89 million in community benefits. Heading into our second century, we hope that it will be one which would stand out as a time of inspiration, motivation and collaboration. Our network of more than 11,000 volunteers, over 2,200 staff and 190,011 members will ensure that it will be a fabulous year for the RSL and its community throughout Victoria. The 2017 Community Benefits Report provides an overview of successes throughout the year. We are thankful for the support of our volunteers and cannot underestimate the significant role they play within the community, having donated more than 710,000 hours in 2017 alone. Dr Robert Webster OAM State President, RSL Victoria 2. Community Benefits Report 2017 Contents Commemoration 4 Veteran Support 7 Community Support 8 More for Members 10 Our Volunteers 12 Governance 13 Employer of Choice 14 The Future 15 RSL Sub-Branches 16 Thank You 19 Cover: 5,000 Poppies Project, Shrine of Remembrance 2017, Photographer: Claire Takacs Background Photograph: Shrine of Remembrance, ANZAC Day 2017, Photographer: Marcus Thompson Community Benefits Report 2017 3. Commemoration “This evening, we are delighted to Our Second World War veterans, despite dwindling acknowledge your new State President, numbers in the March itself, did get a great deal of deserved focus this year. The 75th Anniversary of the Rob Webster OAM, to congratulate him on Battle of the Coral Sea, Milne Bay and the Kokoda his recognition in the recent Australia Day campaigns and the proper observance of the Anniversary honours, and to say how much Tony and of VE and VP Day at the Shrine this year, which the I look forward to spending time with him State Branch helped to organise, also played a part in reinforcing our debt to this great generation. and Jenni. He is in for a busy year, as the RSL continues its good work supporting The 99th Anniversary of Armistice was marked by strong attendances at RSL activities around the state as its members, and prepares to mark many we approach the Centenary in 2018, and the very large particular anniversaries, including the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Springvale War 75th anniversaries of The Battle of the Coral Cemetery was also a highlight in 2017. Sea, the Kokoda Track Campaign and the Other significant commemorations supported by the RSL Battle of El Alamein, as well as the 100th this year included the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan which marks a milestone for all our Vietnam anniversaries of the Battle of Polygon Wood Veterans, and many other Veteran commemorations, and the Battle of Beersheba.” including the Indigenous Veteran Service were also supported by the RSL at the Shrine in 2017. Together Speech by the Governor of Victoria, The Hon. Linda with our contribution to the 100th Anniversary of the Dessau AC, RSL Remembrance Reception at ANZAC Australian Light Horse charge at Beersheba on 31st House. October 2017, the Victorian Branch of the RSL has had a very extensive and successful year of Veteran commemoration in 2017. The RSL remains the key facilitator and custodian of Veteran commemoration throughout Victoria and in Brigadier Michael Annett CSC doing this we fulfil a key part of our mission. We foster State Secretary, RSL Victoria respect and thanks from the nation for all those who have made sacrifices in Australia’s name. On a wet day throughout much of the state on ANZAC Day 2017 we had a smaller Dawn Service at the Shrine and March than in recent years, but the occasion was well supported, and the spirit of all participants was clear to see. Approx. 30,000 Many of our Sub-Branches reported very strong Shrine of Remembrance attendances at services and marches, which, given all of Dawn Service attendance the hard work of our volunteers, was very pleasing. ANZAC Day Service Shrine of Remembrance 4. Community Benefits Report 2017 In August 2017, Keilor East RSL held a Long Tan Vietnam RSL Victoria support each Veteran’s Commemorative Service and Lunch that drew a of our Sub-Branches in great crowd. Wreaths were laid at the Long Tan Cross, as this is the recognised symbol for Vietnam Veterans. The responding to community Sub-Branch put on a free lunch for all service members. feedback when conducting Keilor East RSL had a large attendance at their ANZAC Day 2017 march and Dawn Service. The Light Horse Brigade commemorative events on lead the marchers behind the Rats of Tobruk pipe band, followed by 12 Light Horsemen from Creswick Light Horse significant days such as ANZAC Troop. This was followed by Veterans, cadets, scouts, Day and Remembrance Day and guides and members. At Rosebud RSL, ceremonial activities on ANZAC and making these days special. Remembrance Day continue to grow and Rosebud RSL embrace local community participation. Record numbers Darebin RSL have inherited a large amount of braved the cold on ANZAC Day to attend the Dawn Service commemoration activities since the closure of Fairfield- where attendees were silenced by the sounds of the lone Alphington RSL and the Northcote RSL. Since 1974 the piper. Following the Dawn Service, volunteers served Northcote RSL provided a commemorative service in breakfast to over 500 people with meals in the bistro along partnership with the Northcote Police to commemorate the with an outdoor sausage sizzle. execution of Corporal Rodney Breavington by the Japanese in WWII. Corporal Breavington was an Acting Sergeant at Over 1,000 people attended the Seaford Cenotaph on ANZAC Northcote Police Station prior to enlisting in the Australian Day 2017. Joined by guest speaker LCDR Tristan Hertier, Army. A Rodney Breavington Award has been presented along with the Kananook Primary School Choir, Senior Vice to a serving Northcote Police Member since 1974. This President of Seaford RSL, Peter Kerley conducted a sombre ceremony was held at the Northcote RSL until its closure and reflective service that honoured the nature of the day. then the Fairfield/Alphington RSL and subsequently the Three hundred people attended the service on Remembrance Darebin RSL now proudly continues this tradition. Day which included a wreath laying ceremony, speeches from Veterans and local school children. Epping RSL hold their pre-ANZAC service and March on the Sunday before ANZAC Day. With the support of the The Phillip Island RSL ANZAC Day service has grown Police and the City of Whittlesea, the road is blocked off significantly over the years. From a handheld microphone, a and Veterans and their families march down High Street portable PA and about 200 people back in 2006 to today to the original site of the RSL, which is now the Epping averaging between 5,000 and 7,000 people – a full scale Community Hall. It is very moving to see the ex-diggers event with sound systems, video cameras, big screen, choirs, march with pride with elderly Veterans riding in army jeeps. poetry and exhibitions attracting the local community and Many other groups also march including cadets, scouts, visitors. police, CFA and SES. Commemorating at Epping RSL Yarra Glen RSL ANZAC Day service Community Benefits Report 2017 5. The RSL was founded in 1916 to provide comradeship and support to Australia’s Veterans and their families. That core mission has never changed but has continued to evolve to meet the needs of each generation of servicemen and women. We have a Sub-Branch network that covers Australia and any Veteran who needs help will get it, as every serving ADF member and Veteran will be warmly welcomed by their local RSL. We will continue to advocate for the best possible conditions for our serving men and women. ANZAC House 6. Community Benefits Report 2017 Veteran Support Veteran Support Veterans are always our priority Sub-Branch volunteer Advocates, Pensions Officers Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL provide funding to Young and Welfare Coordinators provide specific assistance to Veteran programs where the aim is to encourage young Veterans in need. These services are free of charge to Veterans to take ownership of the programs and to run all current and former members of the ADF and their them themselves. The Sub-Branch vision is to support families. the Young Veterans to become self-sufficient with programs creating employment through skill learning RSL Victoria supports its Sub-Branches with and sharing. professional and qualified Advocates and Pension Officers who are trained under the Training & The Smoke Alarm initiative at Seaford RSL took on Information Program (TIP) and where required can the project of updating Veterans smoke alarms and complete Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) courses. electricity meter boards. Sixty-eight Veterans homes’ This training enables their skills and qualifications smoke detectors were updated with the installation of to be transferred across to the Advocacy Training & long life lithium batteries ensuring the smoke alarms will Development Program (ADTP).