My mantra is simple: Better Together.

President’s Newsletter

Thank you to everyone who has reached out in my first weeks as RSL National President. I've visited sub-branches, met with State Presidents, spoken with ESO leaders, and listened. One message came through consistently: we need to work together more—within the League, with other ESOs, and with the communities around us.

I agree. My mantra is simple: Better Together.

Within the League, I have been working with our State and Territory Branches to ensure we operate as one national system—respecting our federated structure while speaking with one voice on national issues. We are linked by 109 years of history and a shared, enduring purpose: serving and supporting veterans. That unity is our strength.

RSL Australia Board Meeting - 25 Nov 2025.
The Board is made up of representatives of each State Branch.

The RSL and Legacy have walked together for more than a century. Earlier this year, we signed a memorandum of understanding that formalises what has always been true: we are stronger when we work as partners. The incoming President of Legacy will have an office within the RSL National Office in Canberra, and you'll soon see both logos on the front of our building. That's not symbolism—it's how we'll operate.

Beyond Legacy, there are many other organisations doing important work for veterans. If we're not working together, we're not working to our full capacity for those we serve.

I want to adopt a “no wrong door” service approach, so if a veteran walks into any RSL sub-branch, they will get the support they need. We should be able to understand their situation, connect them to the right support—whether that's our own services or a trusted partner—and follow up to make sure they got what they needed. That requires us to know each other, trust each other, and work together across organisational boundaries.

It was a pleasure to meet members of
Hawthorn RSL Sub-branch while in Victoria - 28 Nov 2025

We also need to collaborate, so our collective voice is stronger. When I met with Minister Matt Keogh last month, he made an important point: "If I have too many voices at me, I can't make a cogent decision around what's required." That's not a criticism—it's a challenge to us. If we want government to act decisively for veterans, we need to present our case together, with clarity and evidence.

Right now, Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Government has accepted the Royal Commission's recommendations for three new pillars of veteran support: a Veteran Wellbeing Agency, a national peak body for ex-service organisations, and an Institute of Veterans' Advocates.

The RSL—with our 1,100 sub-branches, 153,000 members, and presence in every federal electorate—is ready to contribute. But these structures will only work if the whole ESO community shapes them together. That's the work ahead.

One of my key responsibilities is to ensure the voices of veterans and the ESO community are brought together in a way that is genuinely useful—to government, to service-delivery agencies, and to each other. We will all be more effective when we are connected, cooperative, and aligned.

In the end, the path forward is clear: we can work in silos, or we can work together. I choose together.

Better Together.

Interview on the Last Post Radio Show

I recently spoke with Last Post editor Greg Ross about the importance of the National Office’s “Big A” Advocacy work, the strength we gain by working together, the importance of meaning and purpose, the challenges veterans can face, F1 trucks and following the Fremantle Dockers.

LISTEN HERE

MEAO Scoping Study Update

RSL Australia has now received the final report of the MEAO Scoping Study. We will be thoroughly reviewing its findings and recommendations to determine the next steps for Phase 2. This work is critical in ensuring we deliver evidence-based services and support.

READ MORE

Defence and National Security Advocacy

The RSL’s Defence and National Security Committee (DNSC) supports the RSL Australia Board by providing informed analysis, discussion papers, and policy positions that strengthen our advocacy for current-serving Defence members and guide our contributions to Government and in the national debate on national security matters.

The Committee is composed of highly experienced volunteers from the military and security sectors, with diverse professional backgrounds and a shared commitment to Australia’s defence and national security.

LEARN MORE

Upcoming Commemorations

7 December - The end of the Siege of Tobruk (1941)

11 December - ‘Operation Fauna’ 1RAR (1952)

20 December - Last troops evacuated from Gallipoli (1915)

31 December – Conclusion of Operation Slipper, Afghanistan (2014)

1 January – Commonwealth of Australia proclaimed (1901)

8 January - Last Australian servicemen returned from Korea (1958)

11 January – Official cessation of hostilities in Vietnam by Australian forces (1973)

17 January - Operation Desert Storm commenced (1991)