Wagga Wagga RSL Sub-Branch

The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch thanks the Wagga RSL Club for their continued support over many years.

The support provided helps us serve the Veterans and their families in our community.

The Wagga Wagga RSL Club is holding a Bowls & Bond at Wagga RSL for Veterans Health Week, from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm on Friday 18 October 2024.

This event is to celebrate Veterans Health Week, creating an opportunity for people to come together and share positive social interactions.

Enjoy a social "roll of bowls" and light finger food will be provided. A pop-up bar will also be open to purchase drinks.

Please RSVP by 10 October 2024 to Jo Thomas at: [email protected] and for any questions.

On Friday 13 September 2024, The RAAF, Army, Navy Community House (The RANCH) is holding a light luncheon at 12 noon for R U OK Day.

The event is a chance for everyone to connect, share experiences and make a positive difference in our community. Learn how you can start meaningful and life-changing conversations.

The RANCH is located at the RAAF Base Wagga Wagga. To register your attendance or for more information please contact [email protected] or 0447 804 415.

The Blamey Community Group is hosting a Make your Own Morning Tea event on Wednesday 25 September 2024 from 9:30 to 11.30 am. The event will be held at the Blamey Community Group Centre, 3 Sturt Avenue, Kapooka.

The Wagga RSL sub-Branch invites you to attend. Please contact us on (02) 6921 3528 by Friday 13 September 2024 if you would like to attend. We will register your attendance as one group from the sub-Branch.

The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch September 2024 Newsletter has been sent out to Members via email or post.

If you wish to access the Newsletter online, you are welcome to visit our website or follow this link:https://irp.cdn-website.com/0bd62293/files/uploaded/sub_Branch_September_2024_Newsletter.pdf

REMINDER: the Wagga RSL sub-Branch August Snacks and Chats Gathering is in the "Raised Indoor Terraced Area" at the RSL Club tonight at 6.00 pm. Members and family are invited to attend.

To RSVP, call (02) 6921 3528 before 12.00 pm today, 16 August 2024.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Dear members, please be advised that the funeral service for the Late Keith Alan Cavill, will be held at 11.00 am Wednesday 21 August 2024 at Alan Harris MCDonald, 76 Copland Street. A lunch (at your expense) will be held at the Wagga RSL Club following the service.

Good morning,

The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch invites you to participate in the 2024 Draw to Remember campaign.

Please note the campaign will close on Wednesday 14 August 2024.

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch on (02) 6921 3528 or [email protected]

Network 10 has reached out to the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch community regarding The Dog House Australia. The Dog House Australia is a TV series that works with the Animal Welfare League to match people with a rescue dog.

Dogs can be hugely transformative to the lives of Veterans’ and serving Members in many ways. Some of the potential benefits for people include:
• offering companionship
• social interaction
• exercise
• positive impacts on the mental health of the Veteran and ADF community

If you are interested in adopting a rescue dog from The Dog House, or would like additional information about the program, please follow the link below or scan the QR code:
10play.com.au/casting

You are welcome to contact the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch on (02) 6921 3528 if you require assistance with this.

The Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust scholarship applications open on 18 August and close on 31 October 2024.

All bursaries and sponsored scholarships are for tertiary education and are $4000 - $6000 per year, for up to three years.

The Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust scholarships include Long Tan Bursaries and sponsored scholarships. Sponsored scholarships are for children and grandchildren of ex-serving Veterans. Long Tan Bursaries are for children and grandchildren of Vietnam Veterans.

For more details, or to check your eligibility, follow the link below:
http://avcat.org.au/scholarships/

2024 Korea Veterans Day Commemorative Service

At 11.00 am on Saturday 27 July 2024, the Korea Veterans Day commemorative service was held in the Council Meeting Room at the Wagga Wagga City Council building.

The service was well attended and the Keynote Address was given by Major David Adams. The Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Korea, Mr Joyoung Jeon, presented the Ambassador for Peace medal to Veterans of the Korean War from Wagga Wagga and Narrandera.

The Veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace medals (in alphabetical order) were Maskell Burke, Harry Edmonds, Alan Evans (posthumously accepted by Widow Mrs Nancye Evans), Harold Menzies (accepted by John Sullivan and passed to Harold in Narrandera following the commemorative service) and John Sullivan.

Recently, the Wagga Tigers made a generous donation to the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch.

We greatly appreciate the donation and thank the Wagga Tigers for their generosity. Their donation will contribute towards essential support for local Veterans, sub-Branch Members, individuals who are serving and their families.

In the first photo below from left to right, representing the Wagga Tigers (back row) are players Dougal Howard, Gus Lyons and President Chris Flanigan. The representatives of the Wagga sub-Branch (front row) are Phil Wilson, President Rod Cooper and Jeff Hunter.

Please note there is a change of venue for the Korean Veterans Day Commemorative Service.

This is due to an inclement weather forecast for Saturday 27 July 2024.

The commemorative service will now be held in the:
Council Meeting Room
Ground Floor
Wagga Wagga City Council Building
243 Baylis Street
WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2650

The commemorative service will commence at 11.00 am Saturday 27 July 2024 as previously scheduled.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you to the commemorative service.

The inaugural Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Commemorative Service was held by the Wagga RSL sub-Branch at 11.00 am on Thursday 11 July 2024 at the Cenotaph, Wagga Wagga Victory Memorial Gardens.

The MEAO service honoured the Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Australia’s longest military engagement, from 2001 to 2021, the MEAO holds great importance.

We were honoured to have Major Jennifer White as the Keynote speaker at the MEAO Commemorative Service. She delivered a moving speech and it was a privilege to have her participate.

See below a photo from the MEAO Commemorative Service of Major White presenting her speech.

On Wednesday 10 July 2024 at the monthly BBQ Lunch, the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch was presented an award from APM Employment Services.

The award is for providing individuals with a disability with an opportunity to work. This includes providing training, resources and inclusion to assist people to reach their potential.

Our Communications and Administration Officer, Sophie, is living with a disability. The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch is being recognised for providing an opportunity, an inclusive workplace and an environment which supported Sophie to successfully undertake a Certificate III in Business and an offer of employment at completion of her traineeship. We are proud of Sophie’s achievements and look forward to continuing a positive relationship with her.

In the photo below from left to right, are Grace and Mikala from Wagga APM Employment Services, as well as Sophie and Rod Cooper (President) from the Wagga RSL sub-Branch.

At 6.00 pm on Friday 12 July 2024, the Wagga RSL sub-Branch held a Snacks N Chats Gathering at the Wagga RSL Club.

A large group of people attended, including Members, Veterans and their families. This event provides an opportunity for social interactions and promoting positive connections in the local community.

See the photos from the gathering below.

This year the commemorative service for Korean Veterans’ Day will take place at 11.00 am Saturday 27 July at the Korean Memorial in the Wagga Wagga Victory Memorial Gardens.

On this day, we recognise almost 18,000 ADF personnel who served in the war, including 340 who lost their lives and 29 who became prisoners of war. Despite its’ importance, the Korean War is often referred to as the ‘forgotten war,’ due to occurring between two high profile conflicts, World War II and the Vietnam War.

The conflict began on 25 June 1950 and formally ended on 27 July 1953 when an armistice was signed. This is the reason why the commemorative service for Korean Veterans’ Day is held on 27 July each year.

Good Morning Members,

A reminder that the Snacks and Chats Gathering is at 6.00 pm tonight in the "Raised Indoor Terraced Area" at the Wagga RSL Club.

Members, Veterans and family members are welcome to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs Heart Health Program is now open to Veterans.

For further information on how to participate, follow the below link or call the Wagga RSL sub-Branch on (02) 6921 3528.

Link: https://www.veteranshearthealth.com.au/eligibility/

Good Morning Supporters of the RSL sub-Branch,

The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch is proposing to hold a Formal Dining-In Night for members, Veterans, serving personnel, supporting organisations and partners, at the Wagga RSL Club on Saturday 19 October 2024.

The aim of the event is to encourage camaraderie and social connection.

The event will commence at 6.30 pm with pre-dinner drinks, followed by dinner at 7.00 pm.

The approximate ticket cost per person will be $80, inclusive of catering and refreshments.

PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST IN ATTENDING BY MONDAY 15 JULY 2024.

Please respond via return email, or phone 02 6921 3528, or call in at the sub-Branch at 26 Dobbs Street to express your interest in attending. Sufficient interest will enable the sub-Branch to commence the planning process in earnest.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch, extends an invitation to sub-Branch members, the wider Wagga Veteran community and members of the public, to attend the inaugural Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Commemorative Service, commencing at 11.00 am on Thursday 11 July 2024 at the Cenotaph in the Wagga Wagga Victory Memorial Gardens.

The MEAO service will honour those Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan during 2001 to 2021. The commemoration marks the date the Australian Government confirmed all ADF personnel had departed Afghanistan, bringing the nation’s longest military engagement to an end.

A light lunch will be served after the commemorative service at the Riverina Veteran Wellbeing Centre at 240 Baylis Street.