RSL thanks Greg Melick for serving a six-and-a-half-year-term as RSL Australia’s National President. Greg Melick’s Presidency has been marked by restored trust, modernised advocacy, and strengthened veteran services. Greg Melick will stand down as President at the conclusion of RSL Australia’s annual general meeting on 16 October 2025.

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) urges the RSL NSW Board to promptly resolve conflicts within RSL New South Wales, and with its Sub-Branches and associated entities. RSL National stands ready to provide any assistance that may help bring about a resolution of the current issues in the best interests of the veteran community.

RSL Australia attended the ESORT (Ex-Service Organisation Round Table) meeting on Tuesday, 23 September 2025. Here is the communique provided by DVA summarising the meeting.

For many who take part in the Long Ride, it’s about more than just motorcycles. It’s about community, challenge, and a shared mission: raising awareness for prostate cancer and Men’s health across Australia. Among this year’s riders are two generations of Dave’s, who originated from the opposite side of the world to join the journey to Esperance, WA.

Today, members of the public, media representatives, and officials gathered at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to commemorate the service of Australia's war correspondents. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the War Correspondents memorial's dedication and was a tribute to all journalists, photographers, artists, camera and sound operators, and other media who have covered the nation’s involvement in wars and conflicts and to those who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of truth. 

The RSL has welcomed the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (DVA) streamlining its claims processing system aimed in part at curbing unscrupulous practices by some private providers. The RSL has been consulted and the changes being implement by DVA to modernise its processes should assist in combatting these practices.

Today, RSL Australia and Legacy Australia signed a historic memorandum of understanding, creating a closer working partnership between two of the nation’s largest veteran organisations to coordinate and work more collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes for veterans and their families.

The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) Conference 2025 (28 June - 3 July 2025), hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion in Ottawa, was a pivotal gathering for delegates from over 30 countries. As a long-standing member organisation, the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL Australia) was actively involved, with RSL National President Greg Melick AO RFD FANZCN KC attending as a delegate to represent the RSL's interests.

The Australian journalists, photographers, camera and sound operators, and other media who have covered the nation’s involvement in wars and conflicts will be remembered at a service at the War Correspondents Memorial at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra on Monday, 22 September 2025. Media and members of the public are invited to attend

RSL Australia National President Greg Melick said today’s statement to parliament by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh MP, indicated the work already undertaken but also showed that much remained to be done to implement all 122 recommendations of the Royal Commission to enhance the wellbeing of all veterans, Defence personnel and their families.

On 27 August 2025, RSL volunteers arrived at Randwick Army Barracks in Sydney, ready to set to work packing around 400 care packages for Australian Defence Force Personnel serving overseas. Channel 7 News’ Grace Fitzgibbon and her crew arrived to film behind the scenes for a special feature on The Bright Side. Thank you for featuring our work, 7NEWS!

This September marks one year since the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its final report and the Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has received assurances that the Government is making strong progress on the implementation of the recommendations.

The RSL is continuing to advocate for the implementation of all recommendations and is working closely with the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) on key issue arising from the Royal Commission’s report.

The RSL is preparing for a change in leadership as RSL National President Greg Melick steps down after six and a half years of service in the leading veteran role. Three exceptional candidates have been nominated by their State Branches. 

In accordance with the RSL Constitution, the election will take place on the day of the RSL Australia General Meeting (AGM), Thursday 16 October, with each State Branch able to vote. The new President will take office for a three-year term following the conclusion of the meeting.  

Last month, at the invitation of Kwon Oheul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of South Korea, RSL National President Greg Melick visited Seoul to take part in the Seoul International Veterans Forum. The Forum brought together leaders of veterans’ associations from around the world to share perspectives on peace, security, and the challenges facing veterans today.

Regarding the wearing of bowling shirts featuring the words Lest We Forget and the Wagga RSL Club, importantly, RSL Australia has not issued any instruction or demand that would prevent RSL Wagga Bowls Club members from wearing the shirts as described. RSL Australia was first made aware of this matter via media reports and the RSL has not placed any restrictions on its use by the Wagga RSL Bowls Club.

The RSL says tomorrow’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day is the opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution of those who served and sacrificed during Australia's 10-year involvement in the Vietnam War. Vietnam Veterans' Day is commemorated annually on 18 August.

This Friday marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific and the official end of World War II (WW II). The RSL says the day is important for the nation, commemorating Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies on 15 August 1945, which officially ended WW II. RSL National President Greg Melick said this 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day) is an important time for Australia to recognise the sacrifices so many people made for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Over the past few months, RSL has become aware of increasingly concerning behaviours in the claims advocacy sector – impacting veterans, advocates and DVA delegates. We are hearing reports of "kickbacks" being offered to individual advocates for referrals, directing clients away from not-for-profit service providers in favour of commercial entities that are driven by profit.

The RSL says the veteran and Defence Force community will be extremely disappointed at the decision to cease funding the Salvation Army’s “Sallyman” program.

Within parts of the RSL and the public, a myth is growing that the Returned and Services League (RSL) must inevitably shrink.
The argument goes that veteran numbers are declining, with the Second World War generation largely gone and the Vietnam War generation entering their twilight years. Many assume that because they associate veterans with older men, the veteran population is in terminal decline, and with it, the RSLs relevance. But that view ignores reality.