How are these stellar sub-Branches fostering communities of veterans and families?

Whether they’re hosting innovative family-friendly events, engaging with schools and Defence bases, or finding new ways to support veterans and families in the community, these RSL sub-Branches are helping build the future of RSL NSW.

By Caroline Riches

At a glance:

• The Medowie RSL sub-Branch uses its proximity to RAAF Base Williamtown to build its relationship with current Defence personnel.
• “Defence members like to keep fit, so we do a beach walk,” says sub-Branch Secretary Lyn Edmonds.
• Meanwhile, The Entrance/Long Jetty RSL sub-Branch plans to organise all manner of activities, from soccer to swimming, pickleball to darts.

Medowie RSL sub-Branch may benefit from a strategic location close to RAAF Base Williamtown, which has enabled it to foster connections with current Defence personnel – but it has also faced challenges.

When husband and wife Bernie and Lyn Edmonds became President and Secretary in March, the sub-Branch was seen as an “old boys’ club” and was facing a declining membership.

“We had members transferring out because they’d just have meetings and a few beers, and most of our members weren’t interested,” explains Lyn. “The RAAF members had no idea what RSL NSW could do and what we could offer them.”

The couple recruited young veterans and Defence personnel serving at Williamtown to the committee, achieving a 50/50 split between men and women. 

“We’ve put our heads together and looked at what the veterans are asking for, and we’ve tried to deliver that with funding from RSL NSW,” says Bernie. “We’ve come a long way from when we took over.”

Coffee morning for members of the Medowie RSL sub-Branch

Lyn and Bernie have tried to become more present in the community, keeping an eye out for people who need support.

The revamped sub-Branch now offers coffee mornings where members have a safe space to talk, trivia nights with a raffle, and activities using the RSL NSW Sport & Recreation Program. 

It recently hosted a comedy show at the local golf club that attracted current Defence members, veterans and other community members. With the money left over, they purchased tenpin bowling vouchers for families who could do with some cheer.

“We’re showing that RSL NSW [is] there for everybody in the Defence community and their families,” says Lyn.

Medowie sub-Branch works extensively with chaplains to identify those in need.

“If the chaplain tells us there’s a mum who has Defence Housing on her back because the yard’s become untidy, we hire a contractor to mow her lawns,” says Bernie. “We’re also supporting a serving member who has a premature baby, and is in need of emotional and social wellbeing and support.

“If veterans are hurting, we want to say, ‘Come and talk to us’. We don’t want them struggling.”

They also invite their federal member, Meryl Swanson, to come in on a regular basis.

“You’ll see her sitting on the floor with the children while the parents ask her questions.”

The Edmonds also offer activities they hope will appeal to serving members at Williamtown, who they hope one day will become members of the sub-Branch.

“Being close to Williamtown gives us a huge advantage,” says Lyn. “Defence members like to keep fit, so we do a beach walk.”

Bernie and Lyn Edmonds

Members at the base also enjoy a Remembrance Day dinner and touch footy, thanks to Sport & Recreation Program funding.

In addition, sub-Branch committee members are undergoing advocacy training with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with the aim of supporting those transitioning out of Defence.

“We want them to know that when they get out, we can pick them up and help them through that transition process,” says Bernie. “The sub-Branch is that bridge. We can walk beside them, and help them find a home and a job.

All their efforts have paid off, says Lyn.

“We have people joining online or dropping in on a Saturday to join, We can offer so much more [than we used to].”

Find out how the Norfolk RSL sub-Branch has boosted camaraderie among veterans in the community.

Engaging young and old

Veteran Jay McTeare is keen to expand the reach of sub-Branches to both young and older veterans, and deliberately joined a sub-Branch where he felt he could make a difference.

The 42-year-old was originally going to join his local sub-Branch on the Central Coast, but joined The Entrance/Long Jetty RSL sub-Branch instead upon seeing his local sub-Branch filled with younger veterans.

“The Entrance/Long Jetty RSL sub-Branch, by contrast, has a lot of older veterans and I wanted to help keep RSL NSW alive,” he says.

That was four years ago, and McTeare has been secretary for the past two. In that time, around 10 young veterans have signed up. It’s thanks in part to new activities based on member surveys, he says.

Planned activities include walking, soccer, swimming, yoga, cycling, kayaking, pickleball, darts and board games, for which McTeare intends to access funding from the Sport & Recreation Program.

Last year, the sub-Branch introduced barefoot bowls to attract veterans and their families.

“It was a really good turnout, and hopefully this year is exactly the same. At the moment, we have 120 people coming,” says McTeare.

A new mural, designed to catch the eye of passers-by and differentiate the sub-Branch from the nearby Club, adorns The Entrance/Long Jetty RSL sub-Branch’s building.

But it’s not just about getting new veterans on board; it’s also about keeping older veterans young.

“I want to get our older veterans out and moving, so they’re not sitting at home all the time,” he says.

Activities for older veterans include monthly bus trips, barbecues and coffee catch-ups in the local community hall. But it’s the pizza and movie days that McTeare is most excited about.

“A year and a half ago, I threw some pizzas down to see if we could get people out. At first, we had 10 to 15 people; now we’re up to around 30.” 

What he loves most is when the older and younger veterans mix together. 

“All veterans get along with other veterans because everyone’s been there, in one way or another. But it’s the younger ones that will keep RSL NSW alive.”

RSL NSW welcomes veterans of any age to join the organisation. Access support services and become part of a like-minded community of peers by becoming a member of RSL NSW.