National Forum for
Ex-Service Organisations
RSL Australia and its State branches established National Forums for Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs), which have taken place from November 2022 to October 2023.
The RSL in collaboration with other ESOs from across Australia, facilitated the forums to enable the ESO sector to collectively identify and address current and future challenges.
Over 70 organisations participated in the forum process, representing the continuum of services delivered by the ESO sector and the geographical spread across Australia.
Subject matter experts from Australia and overseas, from inside and outside of the defence and veteran community, were engaged to provide insights into each of the three forums and to cofacilitate delivery. This included representatives from the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Previous forums
-
Sydney - October 2023
The third National Forum for ESOs took place on 10 October 2023 in Sydney. Lt Gen Natasha Fox, Alison Frame (Secretary DVA) and Commissioners Kaldas, Brown and Douglas addressed the Forum. Forum sessions were co-facilitated by leaders from across the ESO sector. The intent of the forum was to provide an ESO-informed response to the establishment of a sector Peak Body and to address the complexity of the ecosystem ESOs operate within. Following the forum a submission was made to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
-
Sydney - May 2023
Representatives from over 40 ex-service organisations attended the second National Forum for Ex-Service Organisations in Sydney on 30 May 2023.
The forum provided an opportunity for ESOs to collaborate on priority issues and continue, as a sector, supporting veterans and their families.
Discussions on the day focussed on exploring a potential classification system for ESOs, the purpose and function of a potential ESO peak body, and prioritising its functions – highlighting the collective passion and commitment that we know fuels ESOs across the country in tirelessly providing support to veterans.
-
Canberra - November 2022
Representatives of more than 50 different ESOs attended the first National Forum for Ex-Service Organisations in Canberra on 15 November 2022.
The group in attendance discussed extensively the need for greater alignment across the sector to secure better outcomes for veterans, particularly in regard to achieving greater prioritisation of the veteran community’s needs from all levels of government.
The forum collectively agreed that the ESO sector should pursue the establishment of a peak body organisation that could provide a single, clear voice on behalf of the industry was an essential requirement to achieving this and to shaping a positive future for the sector.