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Returned and Services League of Australia

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The Returned and Services League of Australia (often abbreviated to RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

It was formed as the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia in 1916, became the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmens Imperial League of Australia in 1940, and became the Returned Services League of Australia in 1965. The change to its current name was made in 1990 to reflect the organisation's concern for current as well as former servicemen and servicewomen.

Mission

The RSL's mission statement is:

To ensure that programs are in place for the well-being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and ex-service Defence Force members and their dependents; and promote Government and community awareness of the need for a secure, stable and progressive Australia.[1]

Influence

RSL National HQ, at 1 Constitution Ave, Canberra, near the Australian Defence Force Russell Offices HQ

Since its formation, the organisation has been politically influential and at times highly controversial. As well as arguing for veterans' benefits, it has entered other areas of political debate. It was politically conservative, Anglophilic, and monarchist.

One of its more prominent leaders, Bruce Ruxton, was famously outspoken, known for criticisms of things including the public acceptance of homosexuality and Asian immigration to Australia.

Many veterans from the Vietnam War found the RSL, dominated by the ranks of World War II veterans, an unwelcoming, alien environment, and chose not to participate, but have over the past 20 years become actively involved. This may have been reflective of the changing status of Vietnam veterans in the 1970s and 80s. (See also Social attitudes and treatment of Vietnam veterans)

Nevertheless the focus of the RSL is above all on the welfare of Australian men and women serving in the armed forces. It has advocated for veterans entitlements, the protection of former battlefields and the rights of serving soldiers, sailors and airmen. The RSL also ensures that those that have served the country are commemorated for their service by providing funeral information to those that have served with the deceased and handing out individual red poppy flowers at the funeral to ensure that the deceased service to their country is acknowledged (see In Flanders Fields). In 2003 Peter Phillips, the National President, endorsed a statement criticising the decision of the Howard government to send forces to Iraq without a mandate from a United Nations Security Council resolution.

Social aspects

The Granville RSL Sub-Branch Club in suburban Sydney, NSW
RSL club in Goodna, Queensland.

RSL clubs usually have bar and dining facilities for their members and guests, and sometimes have extensive gambling areas. RSLs also organise Anzac Day and Remembrance Day commemorations. Some are tied to, or are connected to, local sports clubs, in both physical sports such as netball, cricket, rugby league, Australian rules football and soccer, as well as games which are popular with retirees, such as snooker, lawn bowls and darts. Many also have clubs for hobbies such as fishing and knitting.

RSL branches

Club branches also often make regular donations to local community services.

Many club branches offer live music at least on one evening per week, and sometimes more often. RSL clubs are among of the most prominent employers of live performers.

In some states, poker machines are a prominent feature of RSL clubs. Bigger clubs can feature several hundreds of them. They are a main source of revenue. The club industry claims that this revenue is also a major contributor to the financing of many community orientated projects. More critical voices see them as part of an ever increasing social gambling problem. Many of the clubs in Sydney's Southwest and Western Suburbs have grown rapidly over the past 10-15 years primarily due to gaming revenue. While club managers have argued gaming revenues support community activities and services, critics argue the services are often limited or underfunded. Keno is another gambling option provided by basically all club branches. Many clubs feature also novelty type of gambling options, such as operator free electronic roulette machines. A traditional mainstay with most branches remains bingo, attracting generally a more mature audience. Many RSLs are repositioning themselves to attract a younger crowd in an effort to maintain relevance and profitability.

Organisation

RSL, Wagga Wagga Sub-Branch

The National Executive consists of: National President; Deputy National President; state Presidents for New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia; and the National Secretary, Treasurer, and Solicitor. The National Secretary has functional control of the National Headquarters at 1 Constitution Avenue, Campbell, in Canberra.

The current National President is Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, AO RAN (rtd).

Each state has a similar hierarchical structure that brings together the interests of the local RSL clubs. Each club has a local hierarchy of officials.

RSL Queensland

The Returned and Services League of Australia Queensland is a branch of the RSL in Queensland. The RSL in Queensland (separate to RSL Clubs) assists all current and former members of the ADF, veterans, and their dependents.[2] RSL Queensland also established the Eternal Flame Foundation (EFF) to meet the welfare needs of the veteran community and to assist those who may not be entitled to benefits from other sources.[citation needed]

Notable RSL Members

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.rsl.org.au/about/mission.html
  2. ^ http://www.rslqlg.org
  3. ^ Sir Roden Cutler: VC 26/02/2002
  4. ^ NSW RSL website (retrieved 12 October 2009)
  5. ^ North Bondi RSL Sub-Branch website, Committee page (retrieved 13 April 2010)
  6. ^ National Library of Australia, archived Equal Justice for Troops blog, February 10, 2010 (retrieved 13 April 2010)
  7. ^ Always up for a fight: SMH 16/11/2006
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