Australian Forces Overseas Fund
Care Packages
RSL care packages are sent twice a year to deployed ADF personnel to provide a connection to home
and express our thanks and appreciation for their service.
Twice a year, RSL Australia with the assistance of volunteers from RSL sub-branches, prepare hundreds of care packages for members of the ADF and the Australian Federal Police who are deployed overseas on military operations. The packages contain various items to remind personnel of home. A letter of appreciation from the League on behalf of all Australians is also included in the packages, which is always warmly received by those serving overseas.
For many decades, RSL Australia has put together these care packages to show our troops how much we appreciate their work. This work originally began when the RSL decided to prepare Christmas parcels for members of the Australian Army serving in Vietnam. Following the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam, the RSL resolved to continue to support Australian Forces on missions abroad and formally established the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF) on 26 January 1966 at the Sydney Town Hall, amalgamating the earlier fund established by RSL NSW and the Lord Mayor’s Comfort Fund.
It's an enormous undertaking, only made possible by donations and the volunteers who come together to pack the care packages at the 39 OSB Randwick Barracks in Sydney.
The significance of Packing at 39 OSB
The 39th Battalion are remembered for their service as the RSL prepares care packages.
The RSL packs the care packages at 39 OSB Randwick Barracks in Sydney. Over the two days of packing, RSL volunteers often reflect on the significance of the 39 OSB Randwick Barracks and the great efforts of the 39th Battalion for which the Barracks has been named.
The 39th Battalion was originally raised in 1916 for service during World War I. After the Great War, the unit took a few different forms before it was raised again as a single unit in October 1941 for service in World War II. The 39th Australian Infantry Battalion was largely composed of 18-19 year old young men armed with World War I weapons. They were sent to Australian administered Papua where they ended up becoming a vital part of the fight for the Kokoda Trail.
Initially after arriving in January 1942 the 39th was used for garrison duties and working parties. But in June 1942, as the situation deteriorated the battalion was ordered to proceed up the Kokoda Trail to block any possible Japanese overland advance. Maroubra Force composed of troops the 39th Battalion and the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) were sent to Kokoda, arriving there on 15 July.
On the evening of 29 July the Japanese attacked the main position Kokoda. Casualties on both sides were high as the Australians resorted to hand-to-hand combat. It became clear that Kokoda was lost and the following morning, under the cover of a dense mist the survivors abandoned the position.
1,666 men had served in the 39th Battalion but after six months of combat in Papua the 39th Battalion's muster roll was only seven officers and 25 other ranks. This great loss was felt by many families and communities, particularly in Victoria where many of the battalion were from.
For their service during World War II, the 39th Battalion received nine battle honours, including the Kokoda Trail and Kokoda Deniki battle honours.
After the war when Australia's part-time military forces were reformed in 1948, while many battalions that had been disbanded during the war were re-raised, the 39th was not.
On 8 August 2006, the Australian Army raised the 39th (Personnel Support) Battalion (later re-designated the 39th Operational Support Battalion), adopting the 39th's numerical designation to honour the members of the 39th Battalion. During the ceremony that was held at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, the Governor General, Major General Michael Jeffery, described the 39th Battalion as some of "Australia's most gallant soldiers".
The date, 8 August is also significant as it is the day the members of the 39th Battalion Association claim to be the true Kokoda Day, corresponding with the day the unit re-captured Kokoda from the Japanese, albeit briefly. This was the only time that Kokoda itself, the village that became synonymous with the campaign, was ever fought by Australian forces and is why the Association celebrate Kokoda Day in August as opposed to November each year.
As the team packs packages for our people deployed overseas, we reflect on the service and sacrifice of all those who step forward to serve and we remember the members of the 39th Battalion for their heroic service.
The RSL is proud to make this contribution to the welfare of our serving personnel on behalf of a grateful nation. The RSL wishes all those serving overseas good fortune and a safe return home.
Would you like to contribute a donation to the Australian Forces Overseas Fund? No donation is too small, and every little bit helps!