Welfare and Hospital Visitation

Sub-Branch Administration (The Sub-Branch Hall and Office is open most Thursdays between 0930 and 1300)

Sub-Branch membership Dues remain at $35 and are due on the 1st January each years and are payable NLT 30th April to remain Financial

Commemorative Services

Member Social Functions

Cessnock RSL Sub-Branch Pipes & Drums.

RSL/Bunnings BBQ Fundraisers

TBA

MEMBERS DINNERS

Our members Dinners for this year are scheduled as follows:

1st – Wednesday Evening 4thMarch 20 at the Leagues Club 

2nd – Wednesday 15thJuly 20 at 12md – Lunch at the Caledonian Hotel

3rd – Wednesday 2nd Dec 20 – Evening at Leagues Club. 

Special Note: The dinner on the 4th March has been designated a Members and Sponsors dinner as a special thanks to our very generous sponsors. 

Our next meeting is 6.30pm on the 3rd March 2020 which is also the AGM and election of Officers for the next three years.  It will be followed by a sausage sizzle and refreshments. Members are reminded that you must be a financial member to vote in the AGM.

OPEN DAY & RECRUITING DRIVE

At the meeting on the 4th Feb, it was resolved to hold an open day and recruiting drive  over 2 days on the 18th/19th April 20. We are hoping to have  veteran welfare and pension advisers in attendance  as well as an extensive memorabilia and old military vehicle display.  There will be a fundraising BBQ on both days.

PRESIDENT UPDATE FEB 5

  Dear RSL members,
Earlier today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the appointment of the National Commissioner for Defence and Suicide Prevention. The commissioner will act as a dedicated coroner, able to investigate cases of suicide in both the veteran and current serving population. They will also make recommendations on suicide prevention and veteran welfare.
 

RSL NSW echoes the statement made by RSL National President, Major General Greg Melick, welcoming the announcement, and we too will work with the commissioner in any way necessary to help combat the scourge of veteran suicide.
 

General Melick said, "the independent commissioner will provide a next level of inquiry and an ongoing ability to provide recommendations to government and this must assist in achieving better outcomes for our veterans”. The future facing nature of the appointment ensures a continuous dedication to tackling this issue. You can read RSL National’s full statement HERE.
 

The government will also establish a Veteran Family Advocate focused on policy relating to the families of veterans and their experiences. We hope to have a regular and ongoing dialogue with the advocate, with family and social connection being integral to a veteran’s transition into civilian life.
 

In addition to these appointments, we hope the government will act on its commitment to implement existing recommendations from the productivity commission report into veterans’ services. Valuable learnings from that report can help strengthen any action taken for veteran welfare.
 

With the commissioner due to produce an interim report in 12 months, RSL NSW will maintain its focus on implementing a new strategic plan with an emphasis on veteran welfare and advocacy. Ongoing work includes:

• The national partnership with      Open Arms to provide suicide awareness training across Australia for      people who have contact with veterans; 
• The services RSL DefenceCare provide      in welfare, claims and advocacy, and housing assistance to support      veterans and their families in times of crisis; 
• Veteran Sport Australia,      championing the role of sport and social connection in the transition and      recovery processes;
• Employment schemes in      partnership with both the NSW government and private sector;
• And finally, you, the members,      providing a ‘boots on the ground’ role, caring for veterans in local      communities, offering camaraderie where it is needed most, and ensuring      the spirit of service in Australia is never forgotten through various      commemorative activities.

I would also like to acknowledge the role of the families that came forward to share their tragic stories, and the veterans who have spoken about their experiences with mental health issues. This permanent appointment, independent from the government and DVA, must work to ensure their suffering and public struggle was not for nothing. As a leader in this sector, RSL NSW will continue to work with veteran families as they navigate life after service. Together, we can build a better future for the veteran community.
 

       Yours,
 

Ray James
       Acting President

  MESSAGE FROM THE CEO         

ANZAC Appeal 2020 – additional information

Please consider the information below in addition to Circular 01/20 and the accompanying FAQs issued on Friday, 24 January to all sub-Branch secretaries.
 

In response to feedback from last year’s appeals, and the board’s intention to empower sub-Branches to continue to engage with their local communities, this year’s ANZAC Appeal, outside of the Sydney CBD, will not be conducted on behalf of RSL DefenceCare and Veteran Sport Australia. Instead, sub-Branches will fundraise in their local communities, keeping all net funds raised. Contributions from sub-Branches to RSL DefenceCare and Veteran Sport Australia can then be made after due consideration.
 

Sub-Branches are registered charities with the ACNC in their own right. As registered charities, they must comply with their ACNC registration, and in NSW they should apply for a Charitable Fundraising Number (CFN) from NSW Fair Trading by completing this form. Sub-Branches may fundraise without a CFN, if they meet an exemption outlined by NSW Fair Trading, such as qualifying as a small fundraiser (being annual fundraising of up to $15,000 gross). A full list of exemptions can be found here.
 

Whichever way a sub-Branch decides to participate in this year’s ANZAC Appeal, they are responsible for adhering to legislation and guidelines for conducting fundraising activities. This includes the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the NSW Fair Trading Charitable Fundraising Guidelines. As registered charities sub-Branches are responsible for all of their own compliance measures, including handling of donations and tracking of how funds are used.
 

The greatest benefit from actively participating in the appeal is the opportunity for our communities to recognise the connection between their RSL sub-Branch and ANZAC Day. This connection is a powerful reminder of the heritage of the League, the significance of the commemoration, and the ongoing charitable work of the RSL across the nation.
 

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs that accompanied Circular 01/20 and don’t hesitate to contact the sub-Branch and Member Support Unit.
 

Regards,
 

Jon Black
Chief Executive Officer 

   Everymans On Patrol Magazine.                                     

      Dear Members,
  

Happy new year. Natural disaster will have made this a difficult couple of months for many in our League. I hope life is regaining a sense of normalcy to the extent possible, and wish you all a safe and productive 2020.
 

Bushfire Assistance
 

Generous donations from sub-Branches have allowed our League, through RSL DefenceCare’s Disaster Assistance Fund, to give over $73,000 directly to veterans and their families affected by the bushfires, and another $24,600 to sub-Branches to distribute locally. You can read much more detail about this assistance on the RSL NSW website (click here), including where it came from, where it is helping, and how to seek help or contribute.
 

Standard Operating Procedures
 

Following the introduction of a new constitution at last year’s congress, there are now 10 standard operating procedures (SOPs) available on the RSL NSW website (click here). These take the place of our old by-laws and regulations—with a twist: where possible they avoid playing nanny to sub-Branches which know how to run themselves (you’ll find no rules on tie tying, for example).
 

I encourage all members to familiarise themselves with our new governing documents. And if you spot a need for clarity or adjustment to any of the SOPs a simple process applies: if your sub-Branch agrees with a proposal to amend they can vote to send it to the District Council for endorsement, from whence it will go to the new District Presidents’ Council for expedited review and action. The DPC is set to meet next in May.
 

Congress Resolutions
 

A register of the resolutions made at last year’s congress is now available to view on the Congress page of the Members’ Suite on our website (click here). This register shows action already taken and planned next steps for each resolution. It will be updated as progress is made.
 

Commemoration
 

All members are welcome and encouraged to attend the following major commemorative events to be hosted by State Branch this year:

Occasion

Date

Time

Location

RSL & Schools Remember ANZAC

Tuesday, 7 April

11.00 am

Anzac Memorial

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

Saturday, 25 April

4.15 am

Cenotaph

ANZAC Day March

9.00 am

Elizabeth St

ANZAC Day Commemorative Service

12.30 pm

Anzac Memorial

ANZAC Day Sunset Service

5.00 pm

Cenotaph

Indigenous Veterans Commemoration

Friday, 29 May

11.00 am

Anzac Memorial

Victory in the Pacific Day

Saturday, 15 August

11.00 am

Cenotaph

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day

Tuesday, 18 August

11.00 am

Cenotaph

ANZAC Appeal
 

Sub-Branches preparing for the 2020 ANZAC Appeal will be familiar with the PMA Global catalogue and order form available on the RSL NSW website (click here). For budgeting purposes, sub-Branches should use the ‘Discount Price Level 2’ to determine how much they will spend on appeal stock.
 

Please see circular C01/20 and the website link above for full details, and remember that orders are due to PMA Global by close of business Friday, 21 February.
 

Governance Training Webinar
 

A reminder to sub-Branch executives and trustees that the governance training program run across the state last year is still available via an online webinar. Those who were unable to attend in person can email events@rslnsw.org.au to request log-in details and training manuals, and will be able to complete the training at a time that suits them.
 

Membership Renewals
 

Sub-Branches should now be busy renewing memberships. Each sub-Branch will be sent an updated member list in March to perform a final check of their renewing members and advise ANZAC House of any changes. Once final member data is confirmed, we will be invoicing each sub-Branch for the total capitation fee for all renewing members ($25 each). New perpetual membership cards will then be issued in May for all Service Members (including Life Members and Life Subscribers) and Affiliate Members.
 

Please refer to circular C11/19 for more information on the new membership renewal process.
 

Annual Return Forms
 

Honorary secretaries should also be aware that 2019 annual return forms and explanatory cover sheets (for sub-Branches, auxiliaries, district councils and youth clubs) are now available in the Members’ Suite on the RSL NSW website (click here). As usual, these should be submitted by 31 March.
 

Swiss 8
 

Some may already be aware of the charity Swiss 8, run by veterans to promote good health. Under that organisation, a group of young veterans is preparing to walk around Australia to highlight veterans’ experience and successes against mental ill-health as a model for the broader public. Starting from Sydney on 1 April, they will head north along the coast and ultimately re-enter New South Wales near Thredbo in mid-October.        
 

We have received enquiries from members about engagement with the project. As always, this is up to the sub-Branch itself, not ANZAC House. You can find out more about Swiss 8 on their website (click here).
 

‘Be Connected’ Grant
 

RSL NSW has secured a grant through the Be Connected program to fund training in computer literacy for members aged 50 and over. To test its benefits, we will be piloting the program over the next few months in certain districts. It covers topics such as:

• the basics of computers and      smartphones;
• using email and navigating the      internet;
• internet safety and avoiding      scams; and
• using social media.

Any sub-Branch can also apply individually for funding to run the program on a smaller scale (click here). Applications should be made by Friday, 28 February. We recommend successful applicants contact Christine David at IT 4 Retirees, our partner in the pilot program, at 0401 017 459 or chris@it4retirees.com.auto organise training sessions with grant funding once received 

     And thank you for reading,
 

Jeff O'Brien
     State Secretary