Te RSL has expressed its anger and condemnation at the desecration of the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials in Canberra.RSL National President Greg Melick says the desecration of the nation’s sacred places by these cowardly vandals is deplorable and the perpetrators should face the full force of the law.

The RSL has welcomed yesterday’s launch of the Australian Government’s Veterans’ Acute Housing Program.  RSL National President Greg Melick said addressing homelessness in the veteran community was a priority issue for the League and it was pleasing that the Government was honouring its election commitment with the introduction of this program. 

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) says the Lived Experiences Report Shining a Light, released yesterday by the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, highlights the issues and challenges facing the nation’s service personnel and veterans.

RSL Australia President Greg Melick said the detail in Shining a Light was concerning and made for difficult reading but needed to be acknowledged.  

The RSL has strongly condemned the desecration of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Overnight, pro-Palestine graffiti was painted on the Australian War Memorial in the nation’s capital. RSL National President Greg Melick said the desecration of the nation’s sacred place would be deplored by all fair-minded Australians.

RSL Australia congratulates the branches across the League that have been successful in securing a Saluting Their Service grant to fund important commemorative initiatives to ensure the stories of service and sacrifice of local servicemen and women are remembered forever.

The Returned & Services League of Australia is encouraging Australians to remember the 80th anniversary of D-Day this Thursday, June 6. “This Thursday, D-Day’s 80th anniversary, we will join with communities around the world to remember them and all who fought for freedom and peace,” Greg Melick said.

Increased Defence spending, stronger connections with ASEAN nations, a compact with South Pacific countries, a national community service scheme with elements similar to the US Peace Corps, strengthening Australia’s strategic and economic ties with the United States, and setting up a new national institute to monitor strategic threats are key recommendations of a major report issued today by the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL).

His Majesty King Charles III has accepted patronage of the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL).

This continues the RSL’s long association with the monarchy, following on from the more than 70-year patronage of the League by the King’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The RSL has welcomed this week’s Budget announcements to support veterans and has thanked the Government for its ongoing commitment to the sector. Positive measures in the Budget specific to the veteran sector include continued funding for the further implementation of the interim recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, to simplify veterans’ entitlement legislation, and sustain a permanent reduction in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims backlog.

In February 2024, RSL Deputy National President Duncan Anderson and two RSL members who are descendants of Japanese POWs visited Japan as part of the 2024 Japan–Australia Grassroots Exchange Program. The Program aims to provide descendants of Prisoners of War with an avenue for healing and understanding. More than 120 POWs and POW descendants have taken part in the program since it began in 1997.

RSL Australia attended the ESORT (Ex-Service Organisation Round Table) meeting on Tuesday, 14 May 2024. Here is the communique provided by DVA summarising the meeting.

The 55th RSL National Bowls Carnival was held in South Australia from 29 April to 6 May 2024. Around 180 bowlers and their supporters arrived at the Marion Bowling Club to play in the high-anticipated annual competition.

On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, a special ceremony was held in Gapyeong, South Korea in which students from Gapyeong High School and students from Gapyeong Middle School received scholarship grants from RSL Australia. The Gapyeong Commemorative Scholarships serve as a practical and enduring memorial to honour Australians who fought and lost their lives in the Korean War (1950 – 1953).

The RSL has lodged a detailed submission in response to the Government’s release of the draft Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024. The RSL welcomes the Government’s proposed legislation to simplify veteran entitlements and has consulted across the breadth of the League to ensure members’ voices inform the development of fit-for-purpose legislation that best serves veterans and their families.

The RSL is encouraging Australians to honour the nation’s veterans and service personnel on ANZAC Day this coming Thursday. National President Greg Melick has invited Australians to join the RSL in honouring all who have served our nation.  “There’s no greater way to honour our original ANZACs and all who followed in their footsteps than by attending an ANZAC Day service and keeping the ANZAC spirit alive,” Greg Melick said.  

The RSL has announced the recipients of the 2024 RSL ANZAC of the Year Awards. The ANZAC of the Year Awards are presented ‘to recognise the efforts and achievements of up to seven Australians who have given service to their fellow Australians and to the community in a positive, selfless and compassionate manner.’

The RSL welcomes the involvement of sports codes in commemorating ANZAC Day and for their support of the veteran community. In particular, the three major football codes – AFL, NRL and Super Rugby – have developed special playing jerseys and will stage commemorations at matches on ANZAC Day. Clubs also raise funds for veteran causes on the day.

AUKUS was an inspired decision. It is the right choice for Australia. Given the geo-strategic situation and the forces arrayed against us, there are no alternatives. So now we must make it work. We are hostage to what AUKUS will deliver in strategic support, equipment, technology and indigenous industrial capabilities. As such, we are right to be concerned about when the benefits arrive and what they will cost.

The RSL makes regular representations to the Australian and State Governments on a range of veteran issues, defence matters and broader community concerns. The National President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, State Presidents and CEOs meet with Ministers and departmental heads and present the RSL’s views on questions extending from the treatment of veterans’ claims and Defence recruitment to education, housing, health, and community welfare.

On the 25th anniversary of the international military operations in Timor-Leste in 1999, a group of 32 Aussie and Kiwi veterans are set to return next week for ANZAC Day 2024 with the Brisbane-based wellness program, Timor Awakening. Their return marks a personal journey of reflection and remembrance and is a testament to the enduring bonds between Australia, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste veterans.