The RSL has demanded urgent community attention to the report Give Me Shelter: Leave No Veteran Behind and the staggering incidence of veteran homelessness it exposes − an issue now costing Australia $344 million a year due to veterans not participating in the economy or employment, and veteran deaths by suicide. RSL Australia President, Greg Melick said the numbers and costs were unacceptable and called on Federal, State and Territory Governments to take urgent and immediate action.

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is raising money for scholarships, as well as funds to have a statue of a female nurse erected at the Australian War Memorial (AWM). This is known as the Bullwinkel Project, named after Vivian Bullwinkel AO MBE ARRC ED. The RSL encourages its members and the Australian community to support the ACN’s Bullwinkel Project.

Representatives from over 40 ex-service organisations (ESOs) attended the second National Forum for Ex-Service Organisations in Sydney on 30 May. The Forum was established by RSL Australia and its State Branches, in response to discussions across and outside of the ESO sector, to facilitate a process to enable representatives from across the sector to come together to address the emerging issues from the ongoing Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The RSL is supporting the commemoration of Australian veterans’ service in the Vietnam War through a Veterans’ Vigil and a National Commemorative Service in August. This year marks 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army Training team in South Vietnam on August 3, 1962 and 50 years since the withdrawal of combat troops in 1972. The Vietnam Veterans’ Vigil to be held on August 3 aims to have services of remembrance conducted at the grave or commemorative plaque site of every Australian killed in the Vietnam conflict.

Representatives from more than 20 ex-service organisations will come together in Sydney for the second National Forum for Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) hosted by the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) and its State Branches.

A major canal construction project planned through the heart of the Somme battlefield in northern France is expected to unearth the remains of soldiers, including Australians, killed in the First World War. This provides a rare opportunity to recover the remains of some of the 100,000 soldiers from both sides, still missing in the area, which was the scene of many intense battles on the Western Front.

The RSL is concerned about this recent development from Defence to remove awards from commanders. Whilst the RSL believes that there must be command accountability for any wrongdoings on their watch the facts of allegations of wrongdoing in Afghanistan are untested and the truth not yet established by a court. It is expected that the legal processes underway at the moment may do that. The RSL believes that until those processes are complete no further action against commanders, or anyone else, should be taken.

The Federal Budget, handed down by Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers MP on May 9 contained a number of important support measures for Australia’s veterans and their families, but much still remains to be done to improve the lives of those who have served our nation. 

The Ex-Service Organisation Round Table (ESORT) is the main body for consultation between ex-service organisations and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). ESORT aims to address issues of strategic importance to the ex-service and defence communities and assist in setting directions for the medium to long term. Read the summary of the meeting on 9 May.

A recently launched Defence and Veteran Carers Network is providing valuable support, resources, and an advocacy platform for this unique group of carers. The web hub has been established by Carers of Australia with funding from the Department of Defence in recognition of the vital role carers play in supporting Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, veterans and their families who provide unpaid care.

The 2023-24 Federal Budget has been released, and we welcome the more than $328 million in funding for veterans and their families through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. While it is encouraging to see this commitment of funding for DVA, we remain committed to our pre-budget calls for the establishment of an implementation body to oversee the recommendations of the Royal Commission. We will continue to advocate to the Federal Government to ensure this remains a priority.

The RSL has congratulated His Majesty King Charles III on his Coronation in London’s Westminster Abbey. RSL has had a long association with the Monarchy, and this would continue under His Majesty King Charles III.

The Lest We Forget Anzac Day Tribute Concert held in Sydney on Anzac Day in the Town Hall was a great success and raised almost $5,000 for RSL LifeCare Veteran Services. This very special commemoration featured over one hundred of Australia’s best military, veteran and civilian artists all coming together to honour the Fallen.

The RSL says the Government must prioritise supporting and increasing both frontline and supporting Defence personnel, in line with the recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR). Investing in the recruitment and the retention of our Defence Force personnel was one of the stated six key pillars of the Review and the other five will fail if this pillar is not achieved.

Next week’s Federal Budget must include initiatives that improve the lives of the nation’s veterans and their families, and funding to address inequities and barriers that continue to be experienced by the veteran community. It is important that it provides the funding to fully implement the recommendations of the current Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The RSL has welcomed the release of the Defence Strategic Review and the Government’s apparent commitment to increase the investment in Australia’s military capacity. However, the enhanced capabilities must be as a result of long overdue increased defence spending rather than creating an unbalanced Australian Defence Force (ADF) by ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’.

The Returned & Services League of Tasmania State Branch launched the Tasmanian Victoria Cross (VC) trail in Huonville in conjunction with the Huon Vally Mayor, Sally Doyle. A pilot trial in the Huon Valley, it recognises and commends the 4 VC recipients from the area.

RSL Australia encourages Australians to honour the nation’s veterans and service personnel on ANZAC Day this coming Tuesday. National President Greg Melick said it was heartening that the significance of ANZAC Day appeared to build with every generation and this year should see a reinforcement of that growth.

Congratulations to the 2023 winners of the RSL ANZAC of the Year Awards and the ANZAC Peace Prize! This year's Award recipients exemplify the Spirit of ANZAC in the community through their dedication and commitment to the benefit of others. They are exemplars of community service and an inspiration to all Australians.

This very special commemoration will feature over one hundred of Australia’s best military, veteran and civilian artists all coming together to honour the Fallen at the Sydney Town Hall on ANZAC Day. Tickets are free but registration is essential.