About The Returned and Services League
The Returned and Services League of Australia, New South Wales Branch, was formed in 1917. Its present mission statement reads that it will
"Provide for the well being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and ex-serving Defence Force Personnel and thier dependants and promote Government and Community awareness of the need for a stable and progressive Australia."
The Future of the RSL
As we look forward to the future of The League it often pays to reflect on writings of the past. In an eight page supplement to The Daily Telegraph published on Monday, October 29, 1962, the State President, William (later Sir William) Yeo, is quoted as saying “On an actuarial basis, 1973 is estimated as our peak year for service to ex-servicemen. From then on it will decline as our membership falls due to death.”
William Yeo then went on to say, “This is why we plan to do something for the new generation.” That new generation he spoke of then, were the Korean War veterans who were starting to join The League in some numbers in 1950’s.
Only a couple of years later we would find our forces in Malaya for the emergency there and the Indonesian Confrontation. There could have been no sense that our forces would be committed in strength in Vietnam, nor could there be any concept of the Gulf War, our need to intervene in Timor Leste or the “War on Terror”, however Mr Yeo’s prediction that we must look after a new generation holds true today.
The Returned and Services League of Australia has been and will continue to be a force for good in this country. We are often seen as a “watch-dog” for Australian values forged by blood, sweat and tears and we will continue to live by our motto, “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”
The League will soon celebrate a Centenary of Service to our members and indeed Australian society. While we all hope and pray that the young men and women of our Defence Forces are never again thrown into the furnace of war, we will continue to lobby governments for a strong and well prepared Army, Navy and Air Force and we will continue to fight for fair and just benefits for those who serve and just as importantly for their families.
The League will continue its work for many decades to come and we will continue to be seen as the leading Ex-Service Organisation in Australia. We have a great opportunity to showcase to the Australian public and potential new members that we look after our own and it is vital that along with State Branch every RSL sub-Branch does its part to convey a message of service. The RSL’s centenary is perhaps just the first chapter in an even longer period of service.
The challenge facing us as an organisation is our ability to welcome our veterans from more recent conflicts and our ex-service men & women from the long peace. It is incumbent on all members of RSL sub-Branches across this great state of ours to not only extend the hand of friendship but to smile & welcome our brothers & sisters who have worn their country’s uniform.
Australian Defence Force Assistance Trust
If you know someone in the Defence community who is struggling to meet financial commitments as a result of incapacity, death or disability, we may be able to help.
DefenceCare's Disaster Assistance
Please help us spread the word to any current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their immediate families living in NSW and affected by disaster. Social media is a very effective tool in disseminating information in times of disaster so please SHARE this with anyone you know. Together we can reach out to veterans and their immediate families who may need our help.
Have You Lost Medals or Clasps
If you have lost or misplaced Medals or Clasps, you can get them replaced.
Latest News & Events
ANZAC DAY DAWN SERVICE
The Anzac Day march to the Terrigal Beach Memorial will commence at 5.15 am. If you are joining the march, please assemble opposite the Terrigal Police Station on Church Street at 5 am. The service at the Memorial will begin at 5.30 am. Disabled seating will be available, and if required, please approach an RSL official wearing a hi-vis vest.There will be a live streaming of the Dawn Service. Click on the following link to access the live stream.
Please note that there will be road closure from 4.45 am. For details, visit www.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/anzacday.
The sub-Branch will also hold an Anzac Day service at Breakers Country Club, 64 Drover Road, Wamberal, at 11 am.
New look Veteran Card to replace DVA Gold and White Card
Friday, 25 January 2019 — The Australian Government is enacting an Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant in legislation so the nation can recognise the unique nature of military service and support veterans and their families.
As part of the Veterans’ Covenant, a new look Veteran Card will be introduced. Over the coming months, all existing DVA health card holders will receive a new look card to replace their current card.
This new Veteran Card (Gold and White) will function in exactly the same way as the current DVA health cards. There is no change to DVA services and entitlements.
As a result of this change, there will be no impact on medical and allied health providers. How DVA clients gain access to medical treatment and their eligibility will remain the same, as will the payment process.
Cardholders will still be able to use their existing DVA health card until they receive the new Veteran Card.
On the 21 January 2019, a digital version of the new white and gold Veteran Card was introduced on DVA’s online claiming platform, MyService. Physical versions of the card will start being distributed from late February 2019.
DVA orange cards issued under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will be replaced with the new design orange Veteran Card at a later date. Examples of the new Veteran Cards are shown here
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA)
A new Act has been passed to replace the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) for current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members with coverage under Part XI. The new Act, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) replaced the SRCA on 12 October 2017. The DRCA replicates the SRCA, modified to apply only to current and former ADF members and their dependants. The commencement of the DRCA will separate compensation for current and former ADF members with service prior to 1 July 2004 from compensation available to civilians covered by the SRCA. It is important to note that:
• The DRCA will replicate the relevant provisions of the SRCA, as it stands at the date of commencement on 12 October 2017.
• The eligibility and benefits available under the DRCA are the same as those available under the SRCA.
• All existing claims and entitlements under the SRCA will automatically become claims and entitlements under the DRCA.
• All new claims relating to service prior to 1 July 2004 will be determined under the DRCA from 12 October 2017.
• There will be no impact on claims under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.
Membership of the Terrigal Wamberal RSL Sub Branch
Applications for membership of the RSL Sub Branch are invited from persons who meet the following criteria:
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