Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch

Following public commentary about proceedings of the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch’s General Meeting held on Wednesday 14 July, the sub-Branch wishes to clarify statements that have been made in relation to the purchase of the Carmelite Monastery at Ashmont.

Representatives from RSL NSW including the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch and RSL NSW’s partner charity, RSL LifeCare, have been listening to the Wagga Wagga and greater Riverina community to develop an ongoing sustainable operating model for the provision of comprehensive, affordable, and high-quality local services for Riverina veterans and their families.

At the meeting on 14 July, Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch members voted in favour of the following motion: “That the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch Executive and Trustees be given in-principle approval to investigate the purchase of the Carmelite Monastery”.

The sub-Branch also acknowledges that it is obligated to gain approval for any expenditure above $20,000 from the RSL NSW Board and has extensive investigative processes to go through before being in a position to purchase the Monastery. However, the sub-Branch is here to support Veterans who may need assistance at any time through its Welfare and Pensions Committee.

The sub-Branch has held extensive talks with Pro Patria Centre Ltd over the past 12 months but has made no commitment to them to operate the Centre in Wagga Wagga at this stage.  The sub-Branch also needs to consider the RSL NSW Strategic Plan, and the proposal for RSL’s own services operator, RSL LifeCare to immediately commence operations of a veterans centre in Wagga.

Further, RSL NSW wishes to pursue further support from the Federal Government, under its national veteran’s wellbeing centre initiative, to fund such a centre in Wagga.  There are now eight such centres across Australia and Wagga has a large ADF and veteran community and is an ideal location for a regional centre to support all veterans and their families.

Such a centre relies on local input to deliver the services required, and the sub-Branch notes the intention for further engagement with Pro Patria Centre Ltd and other ex-service organisations and service providers keen to work with and support the RSL.

The RSL NSW charitable purpose is to respect, support and remember our veterans and their families.

Media contact: Will Turner 0421 056 896, wturner@rslnsw.org.au