The Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch ) Inc

President’s ReportJanuary - December 2010

Vision StatementIn 2015, the Victorian Branch of the Returned & Services League will continue to be the most relevant ex-service organisation in the State having broadened our membership and enhanced our profile and appeal in the community.

Mission StatementTo support the well being and betterment of our members, (former and other serving and ex-serving men and women of the ADF), and their dependants, with the provision of welfare and commemorative services and, where appropriate, contribute to worthy needs within the broader community.

Objectives• Ensurethatourveteransandtheirdependantsandallourmembers

have ready access to Welfare and Pensions Services • Facilitate high quality aged care and accommodation for those

members in need of such consideration• Maintainappropriatecommemorativeactivities• Maximizeavailabilityanduseoftechnologyandresources• Furtherdevelopappropriatestrategiesincorporatingbestpractice

to achieve: a. Broadening and growth of our membership b. Enhancementofourimage/relevanceandappealtothewider

community• EnsuretheRSL’sintegrity• Embraceotherex-ServiceOrganisations• FosterPrideinAustraliaandLoyaltytoourNation• EngagetheYouthoftheStateintheAffairsoftheLeague• DevelopEffectiveCommunicationStrategies• Foster and enhance Working Relationships between the State

Branch and Sub-Branches• LeadourSub-BranchestoSuperiorPerformance• EncourageGoodComradeship

Victorian Branch Corporate Plan 2008– 2015

ACNA0028777L

Patron: HerMajestytheQueen

State President:MajorGeneralDJMcLachlanAO

Chief Executive Officer:ColonelMHAnnettCSC

State Senior Vice President: Dr R S Webster

State Vice President:MrGMcLLoganRFD

State Honorary Treasurer:MrJFCullenOAM

Chief Financial Officer: MrMPSherlock

Members of State Executive: MessrsKVRossiAMOBERFDED, RNSlaughter, JPaterson*, ATWilsonAMPSMRFD, FMatonsOAM*, PJByrneOAM*, HHeslopJP, MLJohns*, MSBrownJP,DLewien, JMcKay(ResignedNov2010), GKeating(AppointedNov2010) MrsAPahl

*(Retired July 2010)

The Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch Inc.)

Front & Back Cover: Shrine of Remembrance, David Grant from John Brown Photography services

Contents

Report Page

RSLVictorianBranchStateExecutive 1

MessagefromtheStatePresident 2

ChiefExecutiveOfficer’sNotes 4

Reports 7

VeteranWelfare&EntitlementSupport 7

Aged & Health Support 9

VeteransAffairs,Welfare&AgedCareCoordinatingCommittee 11

MembershipoftheLeague 12

Appeals in 2010 13

Memorials&Commemorations 14

PropertyCommittee 14

Youth&Community 15

RSL Licensed Sub-Branches Association 16

ActivitiesoftheLeague 18

KindredOrganisations&UnitAssociationsCommittee 18

Storywriting&ArtsCompetition 19

Mufti 20

Sporting Associations 20

RSLWomens’Council 21

CommemorationCeremonies 22

ANZACDayandRemembranceDay2010 22

State RSL Annual Remembrance Service Springvale 2010 23

State&NationalConferences 24

2010StateConference 24

2010NationalCongress 25

Personnel 26

Vale 27

StateExecutive 27

Sub-BranchMembership 28

Awards 30

Sub-Branch Reports 31

StateHonoraryTreasurer’sReport 35

Financial Statements 36

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2010/2011 State Executive Members left to right:

Seated: AnnePahl,GeorgeMcLLoganRFD,MichaelAnnettCSC,MajGenDavidMcLachlanAO,DrRobertWebster,JohnCullenOAM

Standing: TonyWilsonAMPSMRFDRAN(Rtd),DavidLewien,GrahamKeating,RNeilSlaughter,HaroldHeslopJP,KeithRossiAMOBERFDED,MarkBrown

Absent: MarkSherlock(Inset)

RSL Victorian Branch State Executive

Message from the State President

2010certainlypresented its challenges.Onecannever ceased tobeamazedat theachievementsofourBranchandSub-Branchesin continuing to provide support to our members and indeed the widercommunity,particularlyinregionalVictoria.Whilewespeakofmembers,theLeaguemakesnodistinctionwhenitcomestotheserving and ex-service men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are in need, be it for welfare or advocacy support in pursuitofentitlements–andthat’showitshouldbe.

InthepagesthatfollowinthisReportisexactingdetailoftheworkundertakenbythevarioussectionsoftheHeadquartersandindeedsome of our Sub-Branches. I encourage you to read these reports as they provide a significant insight into what we are all about.

With that in mind, you will see that we continue to maintain a very positive focus on our core business of welfare and the support of those who serve and have served and the commemoration of the brave deeds of men and women in the defence of our country.

To this end, the Community Benefit Statement for 2010, issuedseparately to this Annual Report, will show that throughout the year wehadworkingintheBranchandinourSub-Branchessome7,700volunteerswhoprovided1,114,032volunteerhoursofsupportandassistance to both the ex-service and wider community in pursuit of theobjectsoftheLeague.OurvolunteersarethelifebloodoftheRSL and ensure that we remain both connected with and supported by the wider community.

OurAged&HealthSupportDepartmentworksdiligentlytoensurethat our volunteers arewell informed in undertaking their roles,whether that be in relation to the dissemination of new legislation that may impact on them or relevant to heightening the public image of the RSL as a volunteering organisation.

During 2010, over $250,000 was provided to the education of and assistance to the young; $1,170,000 to sporting clubs andthe maintenance of sporting facilities within Sub-Branches; and a further $990,000 in welfare and support services. This is an incredible outcome which can only be applauded.

Despite the economic environment, the Victorian public very generously supported both our appeals this year. The ANZACAppealsawanincreaseofover$207,000onthatof2009andthePoppyAppealanincreaseofover$242,000basedonthepreviousyear. These results are outstanding and we are ever grateful to the community and the many volunteers from within the League and the other external corporations and agencies that support us in this veryimportantaspectofourwork.Theproceedsofbothappealsare Patriotic Funds and are used for those purposes.

Membershipcontinuestogrowdespitethelossofsomefromthatwonderful band of World War II veterans. However, there are still many in the community that we need to attract, both those who have served and/or serving and those that fit into the Affiliatecategories. Several programs were conducted throughout the year

to assist in meeting our recruiting targets and, in the main, they have been successful as can be seen from the figures contained in this Report.Ourmembershipholdsupwell,withAffiliatemembershipnow almost on par with that of our Service membership. We must bethankfulforthesupportprovidedbyAffiliatesastheyundertakemoreandmoreoftheCommitteeandcommemorationroleswithinour Sub-Branches.

Financially the Branch has done well again with a surplus of $353,902 being achieved in the Administration Account for Vic Branch. This is a continuation of our desire to provide a sound financial footing for future years.

New arrangements post August 2012 for our Licensed Sub-Branches were codified with the decision to go with the gaming serviceproviderTGSmadebythoseSub-BranchesinJune.AllSub-Brancheswithinthenetwork,withtheexceptionofone,signeduptothisarrangementanditisatributetothestrengthofthenetworkthat the arrangements accepted could be put in place. While some may believe that they could have perhaps done better had they goneoutontheirown,itwasthenetworkcomingtogethertolookafter the smaller Sub-Branches that was incredibly important. As StatePresidentIcongratulatethenetworkonthisdecision.

2011 will present many challenges as we come to grips with various changes that are occurring in the environment in which we operate. There will be some Sub-Branches that will need our assistance to continue their operations to August 2012. There will be others that willneedtomergeorindeedclose.ANZACHouseisveryawareofthosesituationsandwillworkcloselywithaffectedSub-Branchesto ensure the best outcome, not only for themselves but for the League as a whole within the State of Victoria.

Some of our more traditional Sub-Branches will have difficultythrough declining membership because of the passing of our World WarIIveteransandwewillworkwiththemtoensurethecontinuationofthegreatworkthattheyandtheirforefathershavedone.

IknowthatweatANZACHouselookforwardtothechallengesof2011andweaskyoutoworkwithustoovercomethem.

May I, on your behalf , thank all of the staff at ANZAC House,bothpaidandvoluntary, for thegreatwork that theyhavedonethroughout theyear in supportofourextensivenetworkofSub-BranchesandthankyouforthesupportthatyouprovidetousatANZACHouseinachievingourobjectives.

Tomy personal staff, I say a sincere thank you to Rosemary andElizabeth. Iparticularly thankLouise forher supportandhelp inthis role.

Major General David McLachlan AO

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ANZAC House Staff and Volunteers 2011 left to right:

Seated: MarkJohnson,JeffJacksonOAM,MichaelAnnettCSC,DavidMcLachlanAO,BrianCairns,WendyBateman

Standing: IanWardOAM,GeraldineGoodlet,ElizabethWeir,BillMountford,LilianLy,PeterSmithOAM,RosemaryKennedy,LizGuthrie,TonyRuddell,JudeBeshears,BernardChurchill,LukeGilholme,JulieMurphy,PennyDixon,LindaMancuso,SharenPeart,BryanArendse,PennyGressieux,BruceErrol,SueNicholson,ElizabethMansfield

Absent: WayneBell,RobertBuchanan,DianaDavid,EricaD’Lasselle,BobGreig,JohnHanlon,GrahamMarty,SteveNativo, MarkSherlock,BruceTurner,LindaYemm

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Chief Executive Officer’s Notes

2010 has been a year of continued achievement in the delivery of ourwelfareandveteranservicesandwecontinuetoenjoystrongsupport from the public for our commemorative and educational objectives. At the same time we have continued to implementmany of the changes identified in 2008|2009 to meet futurechallenges – structural, demographic and commercial. The Branch Corporate Plan continues to guide this longer term focus andactivity through till 2015.

VETERANS AND DEPENDANT SUPPORT SERVICES

We continue to be well served by Jeff Jackson and his team ofprofessional advocates who assist veterans and dependants throughout the State with DVA related claims and entitlements. Jeff also works very closely with our Aged and Health SupportteamatANZACHouse andmentors our volunteer pensions andwelfare officers in Sub-Branches.TheTIP trainedpersonnel here,andintheVeteranCentresthatarerunasapartnershipbetweenthe RSL and VVAA, are always in a position to refer cases of need back to Jeff at ANZAC House if extra resources are required toassist. Jeff provides expert support to the State President in hisrepresentationoftheBranchatNVACandwecontinuetofindnewareaswheretheknowledgeandassistanceofJeffandhisteamisrequired. One example is the continued development of an RSLpresenceonDefencebaseswithHMASCerberusandPuckapunyalbeing established or approved in 2010. This adds to our existing strongprofileatRAAFEastSaleandBandiana.Jeffhascontinuedto oversight the operation of the Bushfire Relief Fund which we establishedimmediatelyaftertheBlackSaturdayfirestoassistRSLmembers,staffandfamilyaffected.Wereceivedwonderfulsupportfrom other State Branches and also many Sub-Branches nationwide and well over $100,000 had been provided in assistance by the end of 2010. The Branch returned unused funds to those Branches and Sub-Branches that requested this oncewe consultedwith themand the residual will be used for other RSL emergency relief, both within Victoria and for sister Branches. As 2010 drew to a close we were ironically now providing flood relief payments!

Theintroductionofe-learningmodulesforMRCAwillalsoenableourRSLAdvocatesandmanyofourvolunteerpensionofficerstogettheskillstheyneedtosupportouryoungerveterans.TheAgedandHealth Support team continues todogreatworkunder thepro-active leadership of Wendy Bateman, who provides a strong voice on the many representative bodies on aged care and wellness thattheRSLhasaseatat.In2010ourAgedCareCo-coordinatorsorequivalentstaffintheemployoflargerlicensedSub-Branches,havecontinuedtodofantasticwork,mentoredandsupportedbybothWendy and Jeff.Volunteermanagement in terms of handbooks,protocols, ID cards and the inevitable Government regulationcontinues to be co-ordinated for our Sub-Branches by ANZACHouse. Our dispatch of Christmas Parcels to those in hospital,aged care facilities or at home alone over Christmas gets morepopular each year, with many rural and regional Sub-Branches now

involved. The most important part of this is of course the personal visit,delivering theparcel,by someone fromaSub-Branch.EricaD’Lasselle,Wendy’s PA, does great work in co-coordinating thiseffortwithover7,000parcelsbeingdeliveredin2010.

Our relationship with Vasey RSL Care also continues to be aconstructiveandpracticaloneinmeetingVeterans’needsintermsof aged care accommodation and services, with the League’songoingmissionandinterestsbeingrepresentedonVasey’sBoardofManagement by Dr RobWebster, State SeniorVice President,PhilipFox,BeresfordKindandBrianFlynn.

APPEALS

Our Appeals underpinmuch of our commitment to theVeterancommunity, with resources generously donated by the Victorian public and 2010 was another excellent year with new records being set for both the ANZAC and Poppy|Remembrance Day Appeals.Peter Smith has brought fresh ideas and energy to the role as we knewhewouldandwepromotedourAppealsthroughChannel9andothercommercialpartnersin2010.Usingcommercialpartnersto supplementourolderveterans inCBD token|poppy saleswasexpanded beyond 2009 and was again very successful. A complete revamp of the range with new items such as wrist bands and decals to appeal to a younger demographic, has been progressively implemented in 2010 and we will further develop the synergies betweenmarketingourAppealsandalsopromotingtheLeague’sworkmore broadly. Peter is wonderfully supported by his smallteamofPennyandBob,butequallytheBranchreliesonourhugearmyofvolunteersellerswhodoa fantastic jobyear inandyearout. This group is ageing and dwindling with each passing year and oneofourmajorchallengesremainsfindingnewvolunteersellersand appropriate alternatives.

PROPERTY, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Ourfinancial affairs remainwellmanaged through the effortsoftheChiefFinancialOfficerMarkSherlockandhis staff. InVictoriathe stewardship of Patriotic Funds, both Building and Welfare is activelyreviewedandcheckedbyStateBranch,whoensureSub-Branches are in accord with the Veterans Act. Bernard Churchillhas continued to develop our Property and Legal support to Sub-Branches and RobGay in his new role as FinancialManager hasprovided an invaluable service in forensic accounting and general audit support to many Sub-Branches with difficult or complexfinancial problems through 2010. Bryan Arendse continues to provide rigour and oversight to both the Patriotic Funds area and the application and processing cycle of GovernmentGrants andhasbeen joined in late 2010byTonyRuddellwhose accountingand teaching skills will be developed in 2011 to provide a pro-active approach from the Branch to support Sub-Branches in their FundsManagement.In2010theBranchstaffworkedcloselywithPKF,whowereprovidingmanagementconsultancytotheNational

Colonel Michael Annett CSC

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Headquarters, in identifying a hitherto untapped source ofVolunteerSupportGrantsforoursmallertraditionalSub-Branches.ManySub-Branchesacross thenationbenefitted fromthisandatotalof42Sub-Branches inVictoriareceivedgrantsandwehopeto see this programme continue in 2011 with Branch assistance to the network inmaking applications.The Branch staff activelyassist Sub-Branches, especially those Licensed Sub-Branches with commercial activities, in their financial management and during 2010 the need for a pro-active approach in regard to this has become even more evident. We have also welcomed to the team LukeGilholme,withextensivecommercialandgamingexperiencein the club industry, both in Australia and overseas, and Luke isnow providing accurate and real time performance data to all our Licensed Sub-Branches to assist them in pre-empting cash flow issuesandmakingsoundmanagementandoperationaldecisions.The Quality Assurance programme, overseen by Dennis Everitt,ensures thatwe certify andquantify the very significantVeteranand broader community support that flows from the commercial activity of our Licensed Sub-Branches. This data provides a powerfulargument for theBranch indealingswithGovernment,especially in thecontextofLicensedGaming.Asmallnumberofour Licensed Sub-Branches have continued to have significant cash flow, liquidity or commercial operational viability issues. In themainthishasstemmedfromalackofrelevantskillsoncommitteesor a systemic problem between management and the committee, often exacerbated in 2010 by reduced patronage and cash flow and the demands of preparing for 2012 licensed gaming changes. Oneof ourmajor challenges for the future is ensuring the rightskillsarepresentoncommitteesandtheyworkeffectivelywiththemanager in allowing him to get the business right in operational matters. This has been reflected in changes to Bylaw 11, the CorporateGovernanceguidanceforLicensedSub-Branches,whichhas given greater guidance and direction in the responsibilities of Committees, the interaction between the Committee andmanagement|staff,andthecoreobligationsofSub-Branchactivityin supporting the Veteran community.

PROJECT 2012In 2010 the Branch commercial and financial teamworked hardon preparing the Licensed Sub-Branch network for the changesto gaming arrangements in 2012. There were very significant meetings in the first half of 2010 by both the 2012 Steering CommitteeandthewholeLSBAnetworktoconsidertheoptionsand factors involved in going with one provider or another – an enormous amount of planning, negotiation and consultation by MarkJohnsonandMarkSherlock,insupportoftheStatePresidentwent into this. An outcome which promises to be an extremely positive one for the whole network, and for the future of theBranch as awholewas signedoffby the LSBA Sub-Branches on30th June 2010which sees us partneringwithTabCorp GamingServices(TGS)fortenyearsfrom2012withasignificantrevampofLicensed Sub-Branch gaming areas as part of the transition period leading into August 2012.

MarkJohnsonalsooversightedtheRSLVictorianBranchsubmissionto the 2012 Productivity Commission Inquiry and Report intoGamingwhichgaveusimportantprofileasbestpracticeoperatorsin this area and much insight into future trends in the industry. The

fact that our commercial operations are simply a means to an end andrevenuewhichisgeneratedresponsiblyultimatelygoesbackto members and the community is well understood and we are confidentTGSandtheGovernmentregulatorybodieswillintheirrespective domains support the League inmaking this strategicdecision a success in Victoria.

Brian Cairns, as the Licensed Sub-Branch Executive Officer|ChiefOperations Officer has focused on monitoring and enhancingthe operational and commercial performance of all our Licensed Sub-Branches.Mark Johnsonhas kept thenetworkupdated andprepared the ground work for moving to new arrangementswhichpromisegreaterautonomyforournetworkandsustainableviabilitybeyond2012.Inthelatterpartof2010,afterthe30thJunedecision,theseniorFinanceandCommercialstaffconducted,withthe State President, a review with every Licensed Sub-Branch as part of an extensive strategic analysis of what each Sub-Branch needs in terms of transitioning to the 2012 arrangement and beyond. This was a central part of the Branch supporting the LSB networkasweapproach2012andbuildsontheworkdonewithSub-Branches in 2009 on financing gaming machine entitlements. JohnMackay and his successor Graham Keating as Chairmen ofthe Licensed Sub-Branch Association have worked closely withMark Johnson, Mark Sherlock and Brian Cairns on these issues.

The Association continues to act as a cohesive body to assist all members of the group operationally and to recognise Sub-Branch and individual achievement through the Hall of Fame awards, which were presented at a Gala Dinner at theMelbourneTownHall in November marking the 10th Anniversary of the AwardsandthiswaswonderfullyorganisedbyLizGuthrie,ourMarketingandEventsManager. Someof thenotablewinners this year at asplendid evening were Greensborough, Bairnsdale, Seaford andMorwellSub-Branches.ThefocusonvolunteersandmeetingourwelfareobjectivewasagaintotheforeandthiswasalsoreflectedinthefourtheditionofourCommunityBenefitsstatementtellingof the work of Sub-Branches and individuals in delivering overonemillionvolunteerhoursinsupportoftheLeague’sobjectivesacross Victoria in the past year.

MEMBERSHIPThe membership focus for 2010 has remained on building Service member numbers, culminating in an incentive campaign to retain existing members and attract new ones and the successful launch of the online RSL Defence Sub-Branch, a national initiative to gain more serving ADF members, and administered by the Victorian Branch. The Ambassador Discount Scheme has resulted in many new members and importantly a significant number of previously social members becoming Affiliates. As Affiliates their directfinancial support of the Branch is welcomed, as well as their ability toserveonSub-BranchCommitteesandotherimportantLeagueforums and committees. The synergies between boosted member numbersandthelifebloodofvolunteersforappealswork,togetherwiththelinksbetweenmarketingourappealworkandrecruitingopportunities, has seen Peter Smith takeMembership under hissupervision,thoughtheCEOremainsinvolved,especiallythroughhisNationalroleinchairingtheMembershipandMarketingForum.We also welcomed Sharen Peart to the team this year, who with herextensiveArmypersonnelmanagementbackgroundnowhas

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the administration of the Defence Sub-Branch as a key priority.Elizabeth Mansfield has provided excellent part time supportto Geraldine Goodlet in dealingwith the normal high tempo ofthe department, especially in the period immediately after Steve Partridge’sdeparture,whoretiredwithourbestwishestobeclosertofamilyinQueensland.

Thedistributionofacompletelyre-writtenMembershipHandbookwith guidance for Sub-Branch Membership Officers at the startof 2010 also stimulated Sub-Branches to try new methods of attracting younger members and our first Branch Open Day inFebruary2010willcertainlybeconductedagainin2011;notjustfrom a membership recruiting perspective, but also to raise local communities’awarenessoftheworkoftheLeagueandtheprofileof their local Sub-Branch.

WOMENS’ AUXILIARIES

OurWomens’Councilandthe99AuxiliariesacrosstheStatehavehad a successful and progressive year with a well attended Annual Conferencewhichhadafocusonfellowshipandsharedendeavourand built on the reforms approved last year. The results achieved by the Auxiliaries in support of their respective Sub-Branches continue to give great support to the League. At the State level the decisionoftheCounciltomakeadonationfortheComfortPacksthattheRSLattheNationallevelnowsendstoseriouslywoundedsoldiers while in hospital overseas, is a wonderful gesture and a real indication of the ongoing relevance and importance of our AuxiliariesintheRSL’smission.

ANZAC HOUSE VOLUNTEERS

Our Librarian FredPratt hasdone agreat job in 2010 continuingto archive and catalogue our valuable primary source collection of papers,lettersandphotographsandmakingthespaceavailableinthecollectionareaforaresearch|readingannex.Hisre-cataloguingand filing has put our collection on a sound basis for the future and hissupporttotheStatePresidentinhisworkwiththeBlameyTrustisalsovery important.KeithRossiourBranchHistoriancontinuestoprovideinvaluableinsightandknowledgetosomanyenquiriesseekinghelpwith researchand familystories,especially fromtheSecondWorldWar,andChrisHandleyensuresourmedalcollectionis well managed and he assists with medal mounting, replacements and other queries on related matters. We continue to work ondeveloping more assistance and guidance to Sub-Branches with their memorabilia collections and in 2010 we have gained another very capable volunteer to assist in this areawithHughMorrison.Our initial Veterans HeritageWorkshop, conducted as a result ofincreasing support from theVictorianGovernment’sVeteranUnitandMuseumsVictoria,promisesarangeofexpertiseandtechnical

support we can further develop and provide in 2011. Bruce Shelton and Rob Ferguson continue to provide good support in the weaponscollectionsareatoourSub-Branchnetwork.WealsohostalargenumberofotherEx-ServiceOrganisationsatANZACHousefortheirmeetingsandgatheringsandSteveNativosupportsallthisactivityinhisusualquietandeffectivestyle.

TwogreatexamplesofourdeliveryofRSLcommunityobjectivesduring the year remain in our Cadet Achievement Awards and our Branch wide sponsorship of needy children at a Portsea SummerCamp.

The Cadet services each identify their most outstanding Cadetand they are then formally recognised in the presence of the State GovernoratourRemembranceDayReception.TheeventisagreatthrillfortheyoungpeopleinvolvedandtheCadetstaffandparentswho attend. A further selection interview with the State President sees one of the three awarded a berth on theYoung EndeavourtrainingshipandtheothersareofferedtheopportunitytoattendaleadershipandteamworkactivityweekattheLordSomersCampontheMorningtonPeninsula.

This year 79 children from around the State, from generallydisadvantaged or needy backgrounds have been sponsored bylocal Sub-Branches to attend a summer holiday camp at Portsea. This is a great opportunity to promote the role of the RSL as a vital part of local communities and strengthen the existing linkswithschools and youth groups around the State and has been added to theportfolioofresponsibilities fortheRSLYouthandCommunitySub-CommitteechairedbyDavidLewien.Howeverthedaytodayco-ordinationofthisactivityfallstoJulieLindsayourfrontentrancereceptionistandshehasdoneawonderful job inherfirstyear inthis role.

We farewelled Annie Waugh, after many years of loyal service in a varietyof roles atANZACHouse. Wewill allmissherbrightandcheerymannerbutexpecttoseeherbackfromtimetotime,workingherwizardryinthekitchenforspecialfunctions.

The Victorian Branch looks forward to 2011 with confidence,having made some important strategic decisions about our future in a cohesive and League minded way, and also successfully supported, on behalf of the League nationally, some very important initiatives. We continue as a Branch to maintain our core welfare, commemorativeandeducationalobjectivesinacontemporaryandinnovative fashion.

IwouldliketothankalltheStateBranchStafffortheirprofessionalismand unstinting commitment to the League and its objectives in2010 and also pay tribute to the many volunteers who work atANZACHouseastheyareanintegralpartofwhatwedeliverandachieve.TheyremainagreatinspirationandreflectthebedrockoftheRSL’svaluesandcapacity.

Reports

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Veterans Welfare & Entitlement Support Manager: Jeff Jackson

Well another year has come and gone. It was a busy year for the State Branch in terms of Pension and Welfare support to the ex-service community throughout Victoria. In terms of assistance theStateBranch received inexcessof250 individual requests forsupport or assistance throughout 2010. The State Branch through its General Appeals Patriotic Trust Fund provided in excess of$350,000.00 grants-of-aid to members of the ex-service community inVictoria.In2009thatfigurewas$296,541.71.

The requests for supportorassistanceweremanyandvariedbutonethingisbecomingquiteobvious;itisgettingtougherforolderveterans and widows who are on a fixed income (aged pension) to meet their financial commitments. With the cost of living escalating from year to year due to increases in energy bills and increases to basic food items, many older Australians are battling.

At the other end of the scale we have a number of applicants whohave requested support or assistance in the past yearwhoare recent members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and whohavebeendischargedbecauseofdifficultiesassociatedwiththeirservice.Mostoftheapplicantsarerestrictedfromengagingin any form of remunerative employment at the present time. In the majority of cases they are young and have one or moredependants.Inthemajorityofthesecasesthememberisplacedon what is termed incapacity benefits. Incapacity benefits are paymentsforeconomiclossduetotheinabilitybecauseofinjuryor disease that has been accepted as service related under the MilitaryRehabilitation&CompensationAct 2004 (MRCA). Thesepaymentsareat least something,butdon’tgo too farwhenyouhave a young family to support.

It is through the kind generosity of the Victorian public whocontinually give to the two RSL appeals conducted in Victoria each year that we can continue to deliver services to all those former serving members of the ADF who are now experiencing financial hardship or distress. The support or assistance provided to members of the ex-service community and their families by the State Branch isconductedinacaring,non-judgmentalandconfidentialmanner.

OnbehalfoftheStatePresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheVictorianStateBranch,Iwouldliketothankallthosehard-workinganddedicatedvolunteerwelfareandpensionsofficersthroughouttheRSLnetwork inVictoriawhohavegivenandcontinue togivefreely of their time and energy to assist those in the ex-service community who are in need. Volunteers are the backbone of the RSL.

Iwouldalso like to take thisopportunity to say thank-you toourbrother and sister ex-service organizations throughout Victoriafor their friendship and co-operative support in providing help to members of the ex-service community throughout 2010. Long may our relationship prosper.

COMPENSATION - ADVOCACY

The Victorian State Branch - RSL Advocates/Pension OfficerscontinuetobeavitalpartoftheoverallRSLwelfaresupportnetworkthroughout Victoria. The assistance provided by the State Branch and Sub-Branch Advocates and Pension Officers is provided freeof charge to all members of the ex-service community in Victoria. All Victorian Branch RSL Advocates are Training & Information Program (TIP) trained. Theyadhere to theTIPCodeofConduct.TheAdvocatesprovideadviceand/orassistanceoncompensationmatters in relation to the Veterans’ Entitlements’ Act 1986[(VEA),Safety&RehabilitationCompensationAct1988(SCRA)asamendedbytheMilitaryCompensationandRehabilitationAct1994(MCRA)andtheMilitaryRehabilitationandCompensationAct2004(MRCA).

The State Branch has three (3) full-time Advocates out-posted in RegionalVeterans’CentresacrossVictoria.BruceTurnerwhoworksfrom the Bayside Regional Veterans’ Centre in Edithvale; BruceErrolwhoworks from the SouthernPeninsulaVeterans’ Centre atRosebud,andWayneBellwhoworksfromtheGippslandVeterans’WelfareCentreatSale.TheVictorianStateBranchconsidersitveryimportantthattheRSLinVictoriacontinuetoworkalongsideandsupport the good work done by the volunteers in the RegionalVeterans’ Centres throughout Victoria. Our Melbourne OfficelocatedwithintheDepartmentofVeterans’AffairsinLatrobeStreetisstaffedbyAdvocateBobBuchananandourOfficeAdministrativeAssistantLindaMancuso.

We have recently seen the long awaited release of the Review of Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) - Funded Ex-ServiceOrganization (ESO)Advocacy andWelfare Services Report by theMinister for Veterans’ Affairs,Warren Snowdon. The Review wasinstigatedbythepreviousMinisterforVeterans’Affairs,AlanGriffin.The Reviewmade some 45 recommendations, all of which havebeen accepted by Minister Snowdon. I encourage all RSL Sub-Branch Committees, Advocates, Pension and Welfare Officers toreadthefullreview.Itcanbeaccessedatwww.dva.au/grants.TheStateBranch isworking itswaythroughtherecommendationstosee what impact it will have in the future.

In2010theAdvocatesOfficereceiveda totalof257newappealsarisingoutofdenialofprimaryclaims,mainlyundertheVeterans’Entitlements’Act1986.AttheendofDecember2010theAdvocatesOffice held a total of 209 appeals with an average caseload peradvocateofjustover50caseseach.

During2010therewere163CertificatesofReadiness(COR)lodgedwiththeVeteran’sReviewBoard.Atotalof183matterswerelistedforhearingbeforetheVeteran’sReviewBoardin2010.TheseweremostlyinrelationtoappealsundertheVeterans’Entitlements’Act1986.TheStateBranchAdvocatesdealtwith12appealsundertheMilitaryRehabilitationandCompensationAct2004. During2010theVeteran’sReviewBoardinVictoriahad13weeksofnohearings.

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Therewere 50 requests for intervention submitted under s.31 oftheVeterans’Entitlements’Act1986(VEA).44ofthosesubmissionswereacceptedbythedelegate.Therewerefive(5)matterssubjectto non-intervention with one (1) matter being withdrawn. The State Branch Advocates appeared before the Administrative Appeals TribunalinMelbourneonatotalofseven(7)matters.

In regards to primary claims assistance in 2010, the State Branch Advocates provided assistance with the lodgment of 91 primary claims for compensation under the Veterans’ Entitlements’ Act1986, 28 primary claims under the Military Rehabilitation andCompensation Act 2004 and seven (7) primary claims under theSafetyandRehabilitationCompensationAct1988.

One of the big recent initiatives has been to allow ex-servicepractitionersontoDefencebasesinVictoria.Thisprojectisdesignedto give greater access for current serving members to obtain advice or assistance in regards to their compensation entitlements.

WenowhaveoneofouradvocatesvisitingRAAFBaseEastSaleone(1) dayperweek. Wehave apresenceonboardHMASCerberus.

TheAlbury/WodongaMilitaryArea (AWMA)hasbeenwell servedfor many years and continues to be so by the men and women of theHumeVeterans’ InformationCentre. WenowhaveapresenceatPuckapunyalMilitaryArea(PMA)one(1)dayperweek.TheStateBranch would like to acknowledge the support given by seniormilitary staff and theDefenceCommunityOrganization (DCO) inthePuckapunyalMilitaryArea.

The ex-service community in Victoria continues to enjoy a verygoodrelationshipwith theDepartmentofVeterans’AffairsofficeinVictoria. OnbehalfofallRSLAdvocates,WelfareandPensionsOfficers throughout the RSL network I would like to thank theDeputyCommissionerand thestaffof theVictorianofficeof theDepartment of Veterans’ Affairs for their continuing ongoingsupport and assistance. Iwould also like to thank the Registrarand staff of the Veterans’ Review Board in Melbourne for theirco-operation and support throughout 2010. Lastly, Iwould liketo congratulate Anne Pahl on her appointment to theVeterans’ReviewBoardasaServicesMember.IwishAnneallthebestinhernew appointment.

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It seemsamazingthatanotheryearhascometoanend. For theAged & Health Support team 2010 was another very busy and challenging year. Requests for assistance to access aged careservicesandaffordablehousingcontinuetoplayamajorroleinourwork, although requests to assist our younger veterans continuetorise.Asaresultoftheincreaseinsupportrequiredforyoungerveterans we introduced a new brochure to ensure that veterans of all ages, and their families, knew they could access our services.Our education commitments continued to increase, andwe tookan active role in the numerous aged care reviews generated by the CommonwealthGovernment. Jane,Lindaand I continue toholdmembership on a wide variety of committees and to attend training sessions to increase our knowledge so that we can continue toprovide the best support possible to the ex-service community.

Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytohighlightsomeoftheworkweundertookin2010.

SUPPORT PROVIDED TO THE EX-SERVICE COMMUNITY

You may recall that in 2009 I reported that we had received recordnumberof requests forassistance;2010washigheragain.With the ageingof ourWorldWar II veterans, requests regardingaged care services and health issues continue to be a majorcomponent of our work. However, the needs of our youngerveterans are more complex than those of our older veterans, which is complicated further by the shortage of available services for youngerpeoplewithphysical disabilities and/ormental illnesses.The need to, and ability to support our younger veterans is possibly the biggest area of challenge that we have faced over the past coupleofyears,andunfortunatelyitisanareathatwillmostlikelycontinue tobe indemand in the future. Ofcourse the increasednumbers of younger veterans requesting our assistance is alsoa positive. Previously younger veterans did not see the unit as necessarily appropriate, ie AGED & Health Support; however weare now receiving more requests from Sub-Branches, Ex-ServiceOrganisationsandGovernmentDepartmentstoprovideassistancefor this younger cohort.

Thecontinuedgrowthinrequestsforeducationhasresultedintheneedforadvancedbookings.Whiletheinterestforveteranspecificeducation isvery satisfying, it is sometimesdifficult to juggle theschedule to accommodate them all. Sessions delivered in relation to veteran specific education were provided to aged care providers, both residential and community care providers, allied health professionals, and Aged Care Assessment Teams, and of coursewecontinue topresentat regularevents suchasDVAAgedCareForums and aged care expos.

Theprovisionofveteranspecificagedcareinformationtocarestaffhas always been a high priority for Aged & Health Support. While wereceivemanyrequestsforeducationfromagedcareprovidersourdifficultywasingettingthemessagetonewstaffcominginto

the industry. As such our new venture in 2010 with Holmesglen TAFE and Vasey RSL Care have assisted us to provide new agedcarestaffwithveteranspecificknowledgebeforetheycommencein their roles. Education provided to HolmesglenTAFE includedveteranspecificinformationsessionsaspartofCertificateIIIcoursesfor aged care students, and also for students completing courses for HACC (Home and Community Care) services. Mid 2010 wecommencedascheduleofeducationwithVaseyRSLCareprovidingveteran specific information tonewstaffduringorientationdays,andprovidingupdatesforcurrentstaffandmanagers.

Following numerous requests for information from individuals,another area that we now provide education is in relation to Powers ofAttorney.InMarch2010,Lindaattendedapilottrainingcourseoffered through the Office of the Public Advocate. This trainingofferedusanopportunity tospread thisvery importantmessageto the ex-service community. Linda has receivedmany requestsfromSub-BranchesandDayClubs forpresentationsonthis topic.Fortunately the Office of the Public Advocate are running moretraining courses in 2011 and Jane and I will also undertake thetraining to meet this growing need.

Anotherareathatkeptusverybusyin2010wasthenumerousAgedCare Inquiries thatwere underway. Aged & Health Supportwasheavily involved with the formulation of written submissions from NationalRSL.TheinquiriesstartedwithaSenateInquiryregardingaccess to planning options and services for people with a disability, thenconcludedwithtwoProductivityCommissionInquiries,oneinrelation to disability care and support and the other in relation to caring for older Australians. Towards the end of 2010 consultations were being conducted with interested parties in relation to the National Carer Strategy, Enhanced Prudential/Regulation of AgedCare Bonds, and the Development of a new‘front end’ for agedcare. Again Aged & Health Support were heavily involved in the consultations ensuring that the needs of the ex-service community were represented.

Our involvement with written submissions and attendingconsultations, along with membership of national aged care groups ensuresthatwecanuseourexpertise,experienceandknowledgeto try to influence governmental decisions for the benefit of the ex-service community.

VOLUNTEERS

Where would we be without our wonderful team of volunteers? The Home & Hospital Visiting program continues to be strong across the State. An analysis of the home and hospital visits undertaken bySub-Branches tells us that we have the same number of volunteers visiting a greater number of people and travelling greater distances to do so. In particular, we can see that volunteers are visiting more and more people living in residential aged care facilities than they have at any other time. We can expect this trend to continue as peopleageandrequiregreaterlevelsofcareinthefuture.

Aged & Health Support Manager: Wendy Bateman

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Jane, Linda and I were also kept occupied undertaking Hospital visitsin2010,conductingvisitstoStVincent’s(PrivateandPublic),MercyPrivate,EpworthRichmond,theAlfred,theRoyalFreemasons,the Royal Melbourne, and the Melbourne Clinic. While we onlyconductthesevisitsonrequest,2010wasanextremelybusyyearwithhighnumbersofrequestsbeingreceivedeachmonth.

Janehasbeenkeptbusyagainin2010developingneweducationsessions,includinganewtrainingpackageforvolunteersinrelationtoElderAbuseandLeadership.Theelderabusetrainingpresentsinformation to Welfare Officers and Home & Hospital Visitorsregardingwhatelderabuse is, thedifferent typesofelderabuse,why people experience elder abuse, and how to support people living with elder abuse.

Jane was also invited to present at Volunteering Australia’s bi-annualconferenceheldhereinMelbourne.Janepresentedapapercovering social inclusion and how the RSL translates this concept into its every day volunteering practice. The paper was well received and achieved the added benefit of promoting the RSL and itswelfaremissionandactivities.AndI’msureyouwillbeallhappytoknowthatJanesuccessfullycompletedherDiplomaofBusiness(VolunteerManagement).

The RSL Christmas parcelswere again a great successwith 2010breakinganotherrecordforthenumberofparcelsordered;7,950parcelswerepackedanddistributed to theRSLSub-Branches fordelivery to those individuals they support who live alone in the community, in residential aged care, or are laid up in hospital. As usual, Erica spentmanymonths sourcing theRSLChristmasgiftsand did a sensational job. While Jane’s expertise in volunteermanagement supported the great success of the project, thisventure can never be realised without the tireless efforts of ourvolunteers.Forthefirsttimesincetheinceptionoftheproject,18volunteersfromthecommunityjoinedtheRSLvolunteerstopacktheparcels.Communityvolunteerswererecruitedviathenewstate-wide web portal set up by the Victorian Department for Planning

&CommunityDevelopment(DPCD).ExistingRSLvolunteerswereasked tobuddywithandmentor communityvolunteersand it ishopedthatthosewhoparticipatedintheprojectwillcontinuetovolunteer with the RSL into the future.

AGED CARE COORDINATORS AND WELFARE COORDINATORS

InundertakingoursupportofSub-Branchesand individuals fromthe ex-service community, we are greatly assisted by the invaluable RSL Aged Care Coordinators. The five Aged Care Coordinators,Heather Hockley (Warrnambool), Maree Jane (Geelong), LynneRedman (Ballarat), Sharon Armstrong (Watsonia), and KevinSpooner (Rosebud) continue to provide substantial support to the veteran community, assisting with a wide range of issues/concerns. We are also fortunate that there are a number of Sub-BrancheswithpaidWelfareCoordinatorswhowecanalways relyontoassistindividualsintheirarea.SoaspecialthankstotheAgedCareCoordinators,WelfareCoordinatorsandallourextraordinaryvolunteerWelfareOfficerswhose special contributionsbenefit somany in the ex-service community.

APPRECIATION

InclosingIwouldliketosendafewmessagesofappreciation.Firstly,abigthankyoutoAnnePahlandJeffJacksonfortheirunwaveringsupport, assistance and friendship throughout the year. To the membersandobserversofVAWACCC,yourongoingcommitmentandhardworkcontinuesunabatedand issovaluable inassistingus inourduties. AspecialthankyoutotheSub-Branchesandalltherepresentativeswhoseworkoftengoesunheraldedbutneverunappreciated.

Andfinally,toJane,LindaandErica,awonderfulteamtoworkwith.I sincerely appreciate the professional way you approach your roles, and your commitment to ensuring that everything we do in Aged & Health Support is to the benefit of the ex-service community.

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2010 has been a very busy and productive year for the Veterans AffairsWelfareandAgedCareCoordinatingCommittee(VAWACCC).Forthepast12months,VAWACCChasmeetregularlyandhasbeenresponsible for providing monthly reports to all State Executivemeetings, regarding issues concerning welfare, pensions and aged care for all members of the ex-service community across all the regions.

During 2010 membership of this Committee has expanded toinclude new regions and their observers. Some of these members travel great distances to come to each meeting and it is always a pleasure to see such dedication and enthusiasm ensuring that weprovidea2waycommunicationbetweenwhatistakingplacewithintheregionsandANZACHouse.

AteveryVAWACCCmeeting,regularagendaitemsregardingtopicsrelating to aged care, volunteer support, health issues and new initiatives concerning male and female members of the ex-service community, pension, welfare and compensation entitlements and young veteran’smatters are always discussed. Members arewell informedofupcomingNationalandStateveteranmeetings/information/education sessions promoted by the RSL, DVA, VVCS, andotherEx-serviceorganisationsor communitydisabilitygroups. It is vital that we all continue to support information programs/sessionsasitwillonlybetterequipuswiththenecessaryskillsandknowledgewhenworkinginassistingwithwelfareforallour veterans.

AsChairmanofVAWACCC,IwouldliketoacknowledgetheexcellentassistanceIreceivefromMsWendyBateman,theAgedandHealthSupport team andMr Jeff Jackson,VIC RSLVeteransWelfare andEntitlement’s Support Officer. Throughout the year, both Jeff’sand Wendy’s departments have regularly provided membersof VAWACCC with current information and important materialregarding DVA policies, better ways in which we all can support our veterans. Iwould like topersonally sayahuge thankyou to Jeff,Wendy,Jane,LindaandEricafortheirtirelessdedication,hardwork,enthusiasm,assistanceandfriendshiponmakingVAWACCCsuchapleasure to chair.

Finally,inkeepingwiththemissionoftheRSLVictorianBranch,theVAWACCCCommittee’shighestprioritywill alwaysbe thewelfareand the betterment of our serving men and women of the ADF, our ex-service men and women and their dependants. The help provided by Jeff and Wendy’s team, brought together by thiscommittee regularly meeting, provides a very strong support base in its delivery of welfare to all Regions, Licensed Sub-Branches and to our traditional ones. VAWACCCmemberswill nowbe lookingforward to another busy year ahead, where we will always lookforward at ways of improving our core business within the RSL networkandtheex-servicecommunity.

Veterans Affairs, Welfare & Aged Care Coordinating Committee Chair: Anne Pahl

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Once again membership of the Victorian Branch has been veryactiveanda lotofhardworkbyourdedicatedmembership staffhas been both rewarding to the Branch and to the Sub-Branches themselves. Welcoming our newest staff member Sharen Peart,who came to us after retiring from an extensive administrative military career.

Asannouncedinlastyear’sreport,theconceptofanonlineNationalDefence Sub-Branch was successfully launched, by the NationalRSL President and the Vice CDF. It is pleasing to state that thisconcepthasbeentakenupandwehaveapprox2,500memberstodate.ByrequestofNational,theVictorianBranchhasassumedtheresponsibilitytoadministerthisOnlineSub-Branchandwebsite.

The concept of an RSL Open Day last year was tried and by allreports it was a success, once again this year combined with the LSBA, it is planned to be held State wide on 26th March 2011. Sub-Branches also received a new Membership Handbook to assist them in recruiting and retention and it also includes the revised National Membership By Law. This combined with arenewed force in the Regional Forum on looking at collectiverecruiting opportunity will help every Sub-Branch keepmembernumbers healthy.

Also the Victorian Sub-Branches have registered on Clubs Online:SocialMembers47,332;andCommunityMembers1,102.

SoascanbeseentheMembershipoftheVictorianBranchishealthy,but having said this it is still up to individual Sub-Branches and their members to actively recruit new members into the League.

Also paying particular attention to the State policy of Reciprocal Rights to all members, who visit Sub-Branches, is a fine way of fostering membership and the recruiting of new members within the state, and nationally, where I believe Victoria leads the way.

Membership 2010 Service Life Affiliate Affiliate Life Total Membership Member/Subscriber Members Subscribers

33,077 1,649 30,307 72 65,105

Membership 2007-2009 Service Members Life Affiliate Members Total Members/Subscribers

2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007

32,795 33,587 34,537 1,655 1,683 1,956 29,573 22,862 25,365 64,093 62,132 61,858

Membership of the League Chair: Mark Brown

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Once again the cause of veteran welfare has been generouslysupported by the Victorian donating public with both Appeals setting new records in 2010.

A feature of 2010 was to consolidate and further develop the strategies for the Appeals. This effort is very much ‘work inprogress’ and will continue to guide the work of the AppealsDepartment through the coming years. In 2010 we sought to increasetheoverallawarenessoftheRSL’sAppealsandtosupporttheworkdoneattheSub-Branches.

On the ‘awareness’ front, we have increased the amount ofexposure in TV, radio and print media without resorting to paid advertising.WearenowequippedwithtwoevocativeCommunityService Announcements (CSA) which were screened over theChannelNineandWinnetworksaswellashavingaradioversionon that medium Statewide. We secured some very good photo exposure in themainstreamnewspapers anda lotof effortwasdirectedatgettinglocalstories in localnewspapers. ThanksgotoSharonHobart(MarketingandCommunications),DianeFalzon(Publicity),TheCampaignPalace(creationandproductionoftheCSA)andChannelNinefortheirhardworkandgenerosity.

A series of Appeals forums were conducted which enabled Sub-Branches to meet and discuss issues of common interest. Forums were conducted in Melbourne at ANZAC House, Box Hill andFrankston while another was conducted regionally in Geelong.These forums will continue in 2011, especially in regional areas.

ANZAC APPEAL 2010

The 2010 ANZAC Appeal set another recordwith $2,811,937.27being raised, the vastmajority ofwhichwas raisedby the Sub-Branches through the wonderful work of the volunteers. Welldone to all involved in this magnificent achievement.

AspecialfeatureofANZACAppeal2010wastheintroductionofanewrangeofbackingcardsfortheANZACbadgeswhichdepictedimages of contemporary men and women of the Australian Defence Force on operations. The new range also included a more stylised version of the iconic Rising Sun badge for the $10 and $20badges. Anenhanced$3wristbandaswell asnewstickersand temporary tattoos for the younger generation also proved popular.

Selling ANZAC badges in the streets of the Melbourne CBDon our allocated day and also at theMCG for the Essendon vsCollingwoodAFLmatchwasalsoverysuccessfulandthanksmustgototheSub-BrancheswhichparticipateintheCitySellingDayandthevolunteerswhosellat theMCG including theWatsonia,Greensborough, Bentleigh, and Footscray Sub-Branches, sailorsfromHMASCerberus,studentsfromCareyGrammarandANZACHousestaff.

ThenewCSA for theANZACAppealwasaired in the leadup toANZACDay andwas verywell received. Thanksgo to all thoseinvolvedinthemakingofthisimportantandmovingmessage.

POPPY APPEAL 2010

The 2010 Poppy Appeal was very well supported and yet another record was broken with the total amount raised reaching andexceedingthe$2,000,000markforthefirsttime.Thefinalamountraisedwas$2,070,198.34.Thisrepresentsayearonyearincreaseof more than 13%, an outstanding result in any circumstances.

TheverymovingCommunityServiceAnnouncementwhichwasbroadcast for the first time during the 2009 Poppy Appeal was aired again in the 2010 campaign and was very well received. The Poppy Dress was also used again and proved to be very popular.

APPRECIATION

It isappropriatethatIthankthemanypeoplewhoin2010didsomuchtomaketheAppealssosuccessful.Ithank:

• themembersof theStateExecutivewhohaveendorsedandcontinuetosupportourmarketingstrategies

• ourSub-BranchAppealsOfficersandtheirteams

• Sub-Branch committees and staff for their support of theAppealseffort

• our wonderful Appeals volunteers without whomwe would be lost

• staffatANZACHouse,manyofwhomgivefreelyoftheirtimetoassisttheAppealseffortthroughouttheyear

ImustalsoacknowledgetheworkdonebymycolleaguesintheAppealsDepartmentatANZACHouse:

• PennyGressieux–AppealsAdministration

• BobGreig,RFD,ED–AppealsLogistics

Eloise Webster hands poppies

to her father, State Senior

Vice President, Dr Robert Webster

at the Shrine of Remembrance

Appeals in 2010 Director: Peter Smith OAM

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Wehavequiteabitofactivityinprocessatthemoment.

A new development at Laurimar in Doreen is one example, the developers were interested in including a monument in their design.

WehavehadarequestfromGoldenPlainsShireCounciltoprovidethem with Commemorative dates so that they can schedule their maintenance and upgrading activities so as to not interfere with these dates.

Ringwood clock tower precinct was one ofmuch concern to us,but thanks to the Sub-Branch’s intervention and a change ofGovernmentthingsareonholdatthemoment.

Shepparton are in the process of erecting a memorial in honour of SirMurrayBouchier,Commanderofthe4thLightHorseRegimentat Beer Sheba.

Frankston RSL and Council are investigating the options ofrelocating the current memorial to cater for the increasing numbers attending commemoration ceremonies, there are too many for the current site and this creates safety issues.

Bacchus Marsh have had a lot of issues with the proposed roadrealignmentaffectingtheAvenueofHonourandatthistimethingshavebeenputonholduntil thenewGovernment reviewsthe matter.

At our last meeting the matter of informing the community of commemorative events was raised, as most Councils havenewsletters circulated regularly, it was resolved that Sub-Branches makeuseof thesetokeepthe locals informedaswellasutilisingother media outlets.

During the year we unfortunately lost the services of Bruce Hughes who was forced to resign due to ill health, we wish him all the best in the future.

Finally I wish to thank all of the Committee for their input andin particular our Secretary, Peter McPhee for his outstandingcontribution.

Memorials & Commemorations Chair: Harold Heslop JP

TheBranchPropertyCommitteemet18timesduringtheyearand,amongstotherthings;maderecommendationstoStateExecutiverelating to:• 24propertyimprovementstothevalueof$6M• 4propertysalestothevalueof$1.98M• Apropertypurchaseof$266k

The Property Committee wish to remind Sub-Branches that inorder for applications to proceed without delay it is important that the application be lodged with all the required supportingdocumentationatleastoneweekpriortothedateofthePropertyCommittee meeting, the Property Committee usually meets on the first Thursday of each month. Every application must besupportedbya copyof theMinutesof aSub-BranchCommitteemeeting or Annual General Meeting at which the Sub-Branchapproved the application.

IsucceededJohnCullenasChairmanandchairedmyfirstmeetingon 12 August 2010; John remains a member of the PropertyCommitteeasDeputyChairman.

LeeWebb (President of Greensborough) replaced Peter McPheewho resigned as amember of the Property Committee and LeeattendedhisfirstPropertyCommitteemeetingon12August2010.

TheothermembersofthePropertyCommitteeareDrRobWebster(State Senior Vice President), John Wells, Mark Sherlock (ChiefFinancial Officer), RobGay (Forensic Accountant), Bryan Arendse(PatrioticFundsLiaisonOfficer),BernardChurchill(Property&LegalManager)andLukeGilholme(BusinessAnalyst).

On behalf of the Property Committee members I would like toacknowledge the outstanding efforts of John Cullen during hislengthy period as Chairman of the Property Committee, thePropertyCommitteemembersaremorethanpleasedthatJohnhasagreedtostayonasDeputyChairman.

ThePropertyCommitteewouldalsoliketothankPeterMcPheeforhisworkasamemberofthePropertyCommitteeoveranumberof years and thank Annie Waugh for her work in the PropertyDepartment; Annie retired at the end of last year.

Finally, I personally acknowledge and thank those members ofthe Property Committee who are not on staff at ANZAC Housewhogivefreelyoftheirtime,theStaffofANZACHouse,theStatePresidentandtheChiefExecutiveOfficerfortheirongoingsupportwhich is invaluable.

Property Committee Chair: Tony Wilson AM PSM RFD RAN (Retd)

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TheYouthandCommunityCommitee’sfirsttaskafteritsstructuralrevamp in July 2010was to recommend an amendment to theBranchYouthpolicydocumentand to also revise itsownTermsofReference.ThistaskwasdulycompletedandendorsedbytheStateExecutive.TheCommitteealsoundertook to identifyallofthe resources available to it to enable future and long term youth projectdevelopment.

AkeyrolefortheCommitteehasbeentocommenceco-ordinatingallexistingYouthactivitiesthatareactivatedfromANZACHouse,thistaskwillbefurtherenhancedduring2011.

PORTSEA CAMP 2011

Onthe19thJanuary2011,79Sub-BranchsponsoredchildrenlefthomefromplacesasfarflungasPortFairy,PyramidHill,Mallacootaandnumerousplacesin-betweentotraveltoPortseaCamp2011.Thankfullyafteraweekofadventurousactivityallwerereturnedhome safely to their families.

Many Sub-Branches undertook to sponsor children to PortseaCampforthefirsttimeandaretobecommendedfortheireffortsand hopefully will consider giving more children this opportunity in 2012.

TheadministrationandlogisticsofmakingPortseaCamphappenis immense and could not have happened in 2011 without the efforts and dedication of JulieMurphy at ANZAC House, a taskwelldone!AbigthankyouisalsoextendedtothosemanySub-Branchesandthevolunteersinvolved,whoundertooktoprovidemeals and accommodation and in some cases transport, children direct to and from Portsea.

ItistheaimoftheYouthCommitteetomakePortseaCamp2012aneven more successful activity. This can only be achieved by more Sub-Branches becoming involved and taking ownership of the‘project’intheirarea.ThiswillensurethatafargreaternumberofchildrenaregiventheopportunitytoundertakeamostrewardingandfulfillingweekatPortsea.

‘... Portsea Camp, it was the best Camp ever and I had the time of my life. I met nice people and the leaders were nice too. My favou rite activity was the jet boat ride. It was fast and I loved it. Once again thank you and I def initely recommend the Camp to other kids.’

Chelsea Moore – Werribee’

RSL (VICTORIA BRANCH) ADF CADET OF THE YEAR 2010

The ADF Service Cadets of theYearwere announced at ANZACHouseinearlyNovember

NAVY–CadetPettyOfficerKIRSTYREAKS

ARMY–CadetWarrantOfficerMATTHEWHINES

RAAF–CadetUnderOfficerTOMHOWARD

After a further extensive interview (with the State President) Cadet Petty Officer KIRSTY REAKS was named as the 2010 ADFCadetoftheYear.

All threeCadetsare tobecommended for themanner inwhichduring the selection process they represented with distinction theirservice,theirCadetUnitsandmostimportantlythemselves.

Kirstyundertookherawardofan11dayleadership‘cruise’ontheHMASYoungEndeavourinJanuarythisyear.DuringthistripKirstydisplayedoutstanding leadershipskillsbybeingselectedbyherpeersas‘YouthCaptain’forthetrip.

Kirsty has also become a seconded member of the YouthCommitteefor2011.

SIR BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIAL AWARD 2010

This award is presented to the outstanding graduate from the NavyOfficer EngineeringCourse, conducted atHMASCerberus.The2010recipientoftheawardwasMidshipmanDavidTugwell.

As theYouthCommitteecontinues to liaisewithotheragenciesand works to develop relevant and lasting beneficial Youthprojects during 2011, the Committee also acknowledges theoutstandingworkbeingundertakenwithinmostSub-BranchesinYouthdevelopmentandsupportintheirareas

Youth & Community Chair: David Lewien

Cadet Petty Officer KIRSTY REAKS

2010 ADF Cadet of the Year

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PROJECT 2012Anotheryearonanda fewadditionalpiecesof theGovernmentspost2012gamingmodelpuzzlefellintoplaceduring2010.Whilstthe Gambling Licences Review (GLR) grappled with the newlegislation the LSBA’s focuswas firmlyon thedevelopmentof itsown gamingmodel for the RSL Licensed Sub-Branch network inthe new gaming regime. The Project 2012 Steering CommitteeunderthedirectionoftheProjectDirectorMarkJohnsoncontinuedto evaluate all the options available to the LSBA. A number of the LSBA Forums held in early 2010 also focussed their attention on the proposedGamingEntitlementsAuctionwherebytheremainderofVictoria’sgamingmachineentitlementsnot allocated in theClubPreAuctionAllocationwouldbepurchasedbyClubs andHotels.A large number of our Sub-Branch network participated in thatauctionheldonthe10thMay2010attheMelbourneConventionCentre.AttheconclusionofthatauctionprocesstheLSBAnetworkhad secured3128gamingmachine entitlements for operation inour Sub-Branches post the 2012 era. Whilst the general consensus amongst thoseClubvenueswhoparticipated in theauctionwasthatthecostoftheentitlementswasgenerallylowerthantheClubPre Auction Allocation price there certainly were members of our networkwhopaidsignificantlyhigherpricesattheauction.Therewere also a significant number of Sub-Branches who purchased additional gaming machine entitlements at the auction along with a small number who reduced their numbers of gaming machines.

With the auction completed the LSBA moved quickly into thenext stageof its Project 2012 strategywhichwas the finalisationof a proposed gaming operations model. A number of final presentationsweremadetotheProject2012SteeringCommitteebyvariousgamingserviceproviderslookingtosecureournetworkgamingoperations.FollowingarecommendationfromtheProject2012 Steering Committee both the State and LSBA Executivesratified the appointment of TABCORP Gaming Solutions (TGS) asthe provider of gaming services to the RSL network in the post2012 licenceperiod.ThisTGSproposalwasthenpresentedtotheLSBAmemberson the30th June2010at the SofitelHotelwhichalsoincludedthe2010LSBAAGM.Whilstthisprovedtobeaverychallenging decision for all of our licensed Sub Branches involved ultimately it was a decision made with the future of the Victorian RSLSub-Branchnetworkfirmlyinmind.

LSBA NETWORK OPERATIONSDuring 2010 we were continually challenged in the commercial operations of the Licensed Sub-Branch network. The LSBA inconjunctionwithStateBranchcontinuedtoworkwithanumberofSub-Brancheswhowereexperiencingdifficultiesinarangeofareas.The appointment of a number of Management Advisory Groups(MAG) throughout the network in 2010 sought to inject a level ofexpertiseandexperienceintoSub-Branchesrequiringthatassistance.

TheLSBAwouldliketoacknowledgethesupportofthosepeoplewho provided their time and effort during 2010 to assist thoseSubBranches inneed.Whilst itwasnotalwaysaneasytaskasan

appointedmemberofaMAGithasbeenofgreatbenefittothoseSub-Branchesrequiringthislevelofsupport.

ADVOCACYTheLSBAcontinuedtoworkcloselywiththeVictorianGovernmentthroughout 2010 on a wide range of projects affecting ourcommercial operations. The LSBA represented the network as apeakbodymemberoftheResponsibleGamblingProjectReferenceGroup which was overseeing the new Responsible GamblingCodesofConductandSelfExclusionPrograms.TheLSBAalsowasresponsiblefortheco-ordinationoftheRSLCodeofConductreviewprocess and subsequent final report to the VCGR. During 2010the LSBA worked closely with the Department of Justice duringthe development, launch and introduction of the Venue Support WorkersProgramasamemberoftheProjectReferenceGroup.

OnbehalfoftheVictorianRSLStateBranchtheLSBAwillcontinueto represent the best interests of the RSL Licensed Sub-Branch networkonanumberofpeakbodyindustrygroupsandforums.

TRAININGOneof the reallypositiveoutcomes for 2010was theworkdoneby the LSBA in the development of the inaugural RSL Diploma of Management.ForsomeyearsnowtheLSBAhasbeenendeavouringto introduce an accredited training course specifically aimed at the next group of RSL Sub-Branch management leaders. To finally have that program now in place with 20 enthusiastic students ready to begintheirstudies in2011isawonderfulresult fortheworkthathasgoneintogettingthisprogramofftheground.TheLSBAlooksforward to developing our new partnership with training provider Franklyn Scholar throughout 2011 and also acknowledges thesupport ofTGS for the sponsorship of this outstanding initiative.The LSBA acknowledges the work put into this program by ourExecutive Officer alongwith the assistance of LSBATraining SubCommitteemembersRobMorrisonandBarryThompson.

COMMUNICATIONSWe welcomed the introduction of the LSBA eNews during 2010which continued our focus on improving communication to our network and the weekly newsletter kept all Sub-Branches up todateon awide varietyof current issues.We also look forward totheintroductioninearly2011ofthenewandimprovedSIAGRSLWebsitewhichwillprovidethenetworkwithaccesstoawiderangeof industrial relations and human resource materials at the simple clickofacomputermouse.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL CAMPAIGNThe2009/2010MembershipCampaignpromotedthroughallSub-Branches saw an increase in memberships and assisted to expedite renewal payments. A delighted member from Seaford RSL was the luckyrecipientoftheprizewhichwasatripfortwotravellingonTheGhantoDarwin.Furtherpromotionswillberunagaininthefuturerenewal periods to increase percentage of renewing members and promote membership to groups unaware of eligibility.

RSL Licensed Sub-Branches AssociationChairman: Graham Keating

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CBS REPORTThe third Community Benefits report entitled ‘Serving YourCommunity’was released at the LSBAAGM. This report outlinesbenefits provided to local communities across the state for the 2008-2009financialyear.Hereisasnapshotofinformationincludedin the report:

• 30%oftheVictorianRSLnetworkincreasedtheirvolunteernumbers

• 1.1 million volunteer hours have been provided to the veteran and widercommunityequatingto$22.23millioninvolunteeredtime

• $1.78millionwasdonatedinfinancialassistancetononveteranrelated charitable or local organisations along with $1.6 million in-kindsupport

• 82% of the LSBA network held or increased their employmentlevelsduringtheGFC

• $12.5millionwasspentonredevelopmentsforimprovedfacilitiesfor our members

• $1.9 million was provided in direct grants to the veteran andsenior community

ThisreporthasbeenfoundtobewellreceivedwithinthenetworkandthroughoutbusinessandGovernment.TheAnnualCommunityBenefitsReportisaninvaluabletoolinpromotingthehardworkofthe RSL in all areas of the community.

OPEN DAY2010sawthelaunchoftheinauguralState-wideRSLOpenDayinVictoria.ManySub-Branchesallacrossthestateparticipatedwithagreat response. Radio and newspaper coverage was well received in a number of areas. Additional promotion was sought through direct email to all members on the database plus Tatts assisted with letterboxdropsof5,000flyersperTattsGamingSub-Branch.

Later in the year State Branch participated in another promotional activitytheVictorianSeniorsWeekOpeningFestivalatFederationSquare. This exercise provided a great opportunity to spreadthe word about membership and volunteering at local RSL Sub-Branches. Sub-Branches are encouraged to take part in manysimilar festivals that occur in their local area.

GRAND FINAL LUNCHEON2010sawtheLSBAworkonceagaininconjunctionwithcorporatepartners IMG in staging the Annual RSL Grand Final Luncheon.CorporatePartnerANZBusinessBankingcontinuedthepartnershipas the presenting sponsor for the event which was well received and appreciated. Following themove back to theHilton on thePark a crowd of 420 guests were entertained by AFL greats TimWatson,JasonDunstall,AlastairClarkson,WayneSchwass,MCCraigHutchison and comedian Andrew Startin.

TELSTRA CONNECTED SENIORS PROGRAMIn late 2010 RSL Victoria were awarded with a third consecutive state wide grant to run the Telstra Connected Seniors Programthroughout Sub-Branches in Victoria. Telstra Connected Seniorsis a program that provides training on how to use mobile phones and the internet. The grant awarded in 2010 commenced late in the year and training will run through 2011. This grant round will focus on the northern Victorian region, aiming to train over 600 members and providing them with the confidence of using this technology.

HALL OF FAME2010markedthe10thAnniversaryof theLSBAHallofFameGalaDinner.TheMelbourneTownHallwasselectedasthelocationforthis fantastic celebrationof thenetwork. Sub-Branchof theYearwas awarded to Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Inc. and threeremarkable people were inducted into the Hall of Fame: JohnMeehan,GeoffreyAndrewsandDavidTwidle.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTOnbehalf of all the LSBAmembers Iwould like to acknowledgethecommitmentofourExecutiveduring2010andalsotheworkofourpreviousChairmanJohnMackayduringhis2yearsatthehelm.John’s commitment to theLSBAnetworkwasunwaveringduringhis term of office with his experience and knowledge provinginvaluable during the often protracted and difficult negotiationswhichformedpartoftheProject2012process.

WelookforwardtoworkingcloselywithournewgamingpartnerTGSduring 2011 as we prepare for the road ahead however I am confident that with the support of the LSBA members we will continue to meet the challenges before us as we strive for a strong, viable and sustainableRSLLicensedSub-Branchnetworkinthefuture.

Hall of Fame Dinner 2011

18

Welcome. A year older, hopefully a year wiser?

Again this year we received a large number of notifications advising of units and associations choosing to disband. I appreciate that the passing of time does reduce our numbers, but am saddened that such deaths mean a loss of our history. How many of those people made, or were part of history? Hopefully their stories have been told and recorded so that the generations to follow will learn and appreciatetheeffortsofthosebeforethem.Thankfully,thoughtheunits have reduced, the attendance at our meetings has remained pretty steady. This is particularly evident when ANZAC Dayarrangements are on the agenda, as they often are. A lively debate is almost assured, as it was in February 2011 when final details of the Marchwereannounced.Notallrepresentativeswerekeenonthenewarrangements,asdecidedbytheANZACDayCommemorationCouncil. The media became involved and many and variedviews expressed. My one hope is that these plans facilitate thecontinued involvement of our Second World War veterans, without unreasonablerisktotheirhealthandwellbeing.

Duringtheyearwehadthebenefitoflearningfromspeakers;JaneGoninon, RSL Vic Branch Volunteer Support Director regardingAgedandHealthsupportservicesprovidedbyStateBranch,John

VincentregardingtheDedicationandlastburialatFromellesinJuly2010. Johnhadanuncle identified and re-buried. WithhiswifeErif, he was able to attend the re-burial and associated services.He was deeply moved by his experience. Ted Worthington from BereavementAssistanceFunerals. Tedsetupthischarity in1997,with former Police Chief Commissioner M I (Mick) Miller as itsPatron.SomeofyoumayrecalltheRSLWomens’Councildonatinga hearse to assist.

Again, a huge thank you to Mike Annett, RSL State Branch CEOwho attends all our meetings, and seems to answer all the difficultquestions.

TheStatePresident,DavidMcLachlan,theorganisingteam,andallthestaffatANZACHouse,especiallyDianaandJude.

Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the support and friendshipextended to me personally by representatives of the various associations. I do appreciate their comments and little chats before and after our meetings.

Itisapleasuretoworkwithsuchnicepeople.

Kindred Organisations & Unit Associations CommitteeChair: Geoff Burrows

Activities of the League

19

The SWAC competition for 2010 in conjunction with theDepartmentofVeteranAffairswasorganisedbyAustinHealth,backto where it started at Heidelberg Repatriation all those years ago. A homecomingsotospeak.

Year2012willseethe50thAnniversaryofthecompetition,whichwillbeaveryspecialoccasion. A lotofworkbyeveryonewillbeneededtomakethisasgreatasuccessaspossible.

Contributionsfor2010included-

SpecialWritingCategory- 47entries;TrueWartimeExperiences 46entries;

TrueLifeExperiences 43entries;Fictional Stories 51 entries;

Poetry & prose 96 entries; Photography 82entries;

Craft 82entries;Art 174entries.

The RSL and radio station “Magic 1278” together with theDepartment of Veterans’ Affairs supplied vital support whichassistedinmakingthisyear’sSWACcompetitionagreatsuccess.

Thecompetitionisstillfulfillingitsobjectivesofofferingsupporttothe service community and their families.

Onbehalfof theSWACSteeringCommittee Iwould like toagainthankOurPatron,MajorGeneralDavidMcLachlan,StatePresidentRSL of Australia (Victoria); Austin Health, the Department of Veteran AffairsandRadioStation“1278TheNewMagic”fortheircontinuedand generous support.

Alan Hicks “Seascape in Blue”

Gwen Watt “Datura”

Alan Chowner ‘Australian Lighthorse Engagement Palestine”

James Saxton “Printz Elvis, Iguana Ck”

Anthony Stancombe “1RAR on Patrol At Bien Hoa”

Storywriting & Arts CompetitionChair: Michael Fidler

20

Committee: Dr Rob Webster, Jude Beshears, Bryan Arendse, LizGuthrieandBrianCairns.

TheCommitteemetonanumberofoccasionsduringtheyeartoadvancethepublicationofthenext issueofMufti. Judecollatesand co-ordinates the material that is provided to the editor for the productionoffinalcopy.WethankJudeforstalwartworkingettingthematerialforMuftitogether.

Muchof thematerial forMufticomes fromSub-Branchesandwewouldliketocontinuetoencouragethissource.Sub-Branchnewsisoneof themost readareasofMufti. Inordertoproducehighclass Sub-Branch news we need reports and photographs from your activities; however when you are photographing events please ensure that your digital camera is set to the highest resolution possible as this allows for the best possible image to be printed. It shouldalsobenotedthat it isdifficult to re-publishmaterial thathas been previously published in other sources; local papers and thelike,duetocopyrightrestrictions.PleasealsorememberthatitisthepolicyofMuftinottopublishObituariesorPoetry.

There are changes in the wind for Mufti with a new publisher havingrecentlybeenappointedtotakeoverwitheffect fromtheJune edition in 2011. Our thanks go to Mr Graham Barry andthe staff of Acumen Publishing over the last five years. Details regardingthenewpublisherwillbeprovidedinaStateCEOcircularin the near future. A new editorial committee has been appointed with Mr John Stoward and Brigadier David Gilroy having beenrecently appointed.

During the year many book reviewers contributed reviews thathave been published in Mufti. Their enthusiastic support andcontributionisalsoacknowledged.

Chair: Dr Rob Webster

MUFTI

Membership: Dr Rob Webster (Chair), John Cullen OAM, PeterSmithOAM,PennyGressieux(Secretary)andrepresentativesofthevarious RSL Sporting Associations.

TheAppealsOfficeadministerstheSportingAssociationactivitiesand organise the well attended meetings. The sporting bodies meeteachquarterandreportsontheindividualsportingactivitiesareincludedineacheditionofMufti.

Highlights during the year included: Sunshine winning the EdinburghShieldwithSalebeingtherunner-up.AttheVictorianRSL State Fours championship the winner was Pascoe Vale and the runner up, Rye. In the interstate RSL lawn bowls carnival held in Adelaide Victoria were, again, runners-up to NSW in the JackHamiltonVCtrophy.

In the interstate RSL billiards and snooker competitions VictoriavisitedNSWandmanagedtowinthebilliards,butlostthesnooker,and the overall aggregate; individual honours going to Bob Heeps and Bob Bellinger. Players and supporters report that it was a great week in which all games were played with enormous spirit andfriendships were renewed.

The2010Diggers’GolfDaywasagainhostedbyLongIslandCountryClubinSeptember.Theweatherwasclosetoperfectandthecoursewas beautifully prepared for the more than 120 golfers. A wide range of sponsors including Frankston RSL, Clive Peeters, LePineFunerals,theRARAssociationandtheKoreanVeteransAssociationsupported the golf day. A reminder that this tournament is set downforFriday16thSeptember2011.EntryformswillbeavailableinJune.

A team of eleven bowlers from the RSL Indoor Carpet Bowlsjourneyed to Adelaide to take part in the annual Interstatetournament. SA emerged triumphant in the competition; JimKendallwascrownedthemostconsistentVictorianbowler.

MyspecificthankstobothPeterandPennyfortheiradministrativeworkfortheSportingSections.

Sporting AssociationsChair: Dr Rob Webster

21

It is hard to believe that it is report time again, another year gone ever so quickly and with somuch happening around our state,not to mention the terrible floods at the beginning of 2011. To our Auxiliaries in the followingareas; FarNorthWest,NorthWest“A”,NorthWest“B”,NorthEast“A”andNorthEast“B”,ourthoughtsarewithyouall,astheyarealsowithoursisterAuxiliariesinQueenslandfirsthitwiththefloodsandthenbycycloneYasi.

2010 saw the disbanding of seven (7) Auxiliaries, with two (2)reforming and coming along in leaps and bounds. We also saw the demiseoffortyone(41)membersoverthepastyear;ourthoughtsare with the auxiliaries and their families.

President Joan and the Committee have had a very busy yearattending Area Meetings, AGMs, social functions and seminarsacrossVictoria,alsoinSouthAustraliaandQueensland.

We are delighted to say that on a par with other States, S.A and Vic. Seem to have the best support at State level than some of the other states we are in contact with.

Our conference in August was well attended as was the socialevening the night before.With only 2 weeks until conference itwaslookinglikeournumberswouldnotmeetthefiguresrequiredforthevenue,thankfullywemadethegradeandwereabletogoahead without too many changes. Sadly for the venue though, despitethegreateffortfromtheorganisingstaff,thestaffontheevening and the following day did not do as well. This was very disappointing to all concerned.

ThedecisiontoholdfutureconferencesatANZACHouse,hadbeenmadebytheExecutivepriortoconference;andwasunanimouslyagreed to by those in attendance in 2010.

The agenda items were robustly discussed with a majority ofpositive outcomes.

As has been reported at Conference our Auxiliaries are to becongratulated on the wonderful support given to their Sub-Branches and the community; the following figures will give you anoverviewoftheirefforts.

CountryMembersraised$485,402.89,donationstoSub-Branchestotalled $174,928.06, and External donations tallied $25,317.99.Outof78countryAuxiliariesonly56submittedfinancialreportsintimetobeincluded,withareportedmembershipof1272including88LifeMembers.

Metropolitan Members raised $204,220.81, donations to Sub-Branches totalled 103,240.00 and External donations were$10,002.00. Metropolitan Auxiliaries total 29 with 22 submittingreports, membership numbers being 491 including 61 LifeMembers.Alleffortsaretobecongratulated.

WeweredelightedthatthenewNationalPresidentRearAdmiralKenDoolan Rtd AOwas able to be in attendance for both daysand appreciated his input on both occasions. He spoke veryencouraginglyof the importanceof theWomens’Auxiliaries andlikeallofushopesthattherearemanymoreyearsaheadforthem.

TheSpecialProjectfor2010–2011wasencouragedbybothStateandNationalthatweraisefundsfor“BPaks”,thishasbeengreatlysupported and for the year ending Dec 31st 2010 donations have reachedinexcessof$30,000.00withWomensCouncilyettoputintheirdonationof$5000.00.Whata superbeffort fromAugust toDecember,congratulationsandthankyoutoall.

InclosingIwouldliketothankPresidentJoanandalltheCommittee,MajorGeneralDavidMcLachlanAORtd,ColonelMichaelAnnettCSC, as well as the staff at ANZAC House for the support andassistancegiventoWomensCouncilandmyselfoverthepastyear.

Remembering“WeAlsoServe”

RSL Womens’ CouncilSecretary: Gill Coughlan

22

Commemoration Ceremonies

ANZACDay2010continuedthetrendofrecentyearswithstrongand growing attendances at the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance and severalmajor suburban and regional centres.Preceding ANZAC Day, the Reception at ANZAC House and theChurchServiceattheWesleyChurchwerebothwellsupportedandsuccessful activities. Indeed the Shrine Service was estimated at between35,000to40,000andstrongattendancesalsosupportedtheMarchandtheOfficialCommemorationServicethatfollowed.Anumberofmobilityaidsandincreasedfreepublicparkingcloseto the route assisted marchers and despite the increasing age and gapsintheranksofSecondWorldWarveteransmanydescendantsandyoungerveteranstookpart,some11,000 inall.Regrettablyavehicle accident involving our Ceylonese WW2 Veterans marredtheclosingstagesoftheMarch,butthankfullynoonewascriticallyinjuredthoughtheincidentwillbeoneaspectofseveralthatwillsee us review the use of vehicles and the need for all our WW2 participants to ride in vehicles in 2011. The AFL’s Essendon vsCollingwoodANZACDaygamewasagainaselloutcrowdofalmost100,000, with the State President presenting the winning trophy to Collingwood–apopularresultwiththemassivecrowd.Fortunatelythe weather was kind to the Commemorative Services and theMarchthisyear.

A respectful tribute to our war dead and strong crowd support to the Veteran motorcade again characterised the lead up to the game at theMCG.Thehistorical focus this yearwason theKoreanWarwithKoreanVeteranswellrepresentedinthemotorcade.Veteranswereagainguestsof theAFL for lunchand thematch.Thanks tothesupportoftheAFLwewereagainabletohaveHMASCerberussailorssellANZACtokensattheMCGbeforethegameandwewerealsoabletoprovidegameticketstoourADFSchoolofCateringstaffandtraineeswhodosuchagreatjobforusattheGunfireBreakfastat the Shrine.

The RSL again conducted the Remembrance Sunday MemorialService at the SpringvaleWar Cemeterywith the Chief of Army’srepresentative MAJGEN John Caligari as the Guest Speaker.Mal Carson, our convenor did his normal splendid job with thearrangements and the day was very well supported. The OfficialCommemorativeServiceattheShrineon11thNovember,presidedoverby theStateGovernor,ProfessorDaviddeKretserwasagainwell attended in brilliant sunshine and continued the recent trend of strong support from school contingents and the general public for this longstanding tradition. In all our commemorative endeavours, as in somuchelse,RosemaryKennedyEA to theStatePresident,JudeBeshearsourGeneralOfficeManagerandDianaDavid,PAtotheCEOdowonderfulandsustainedwork,supportingnotjusttheBranchHeadquartersbutthewholeSub-Branchnetwork.

ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day 2010Commemorative Activities – ANZAC and Remembrance Day 2010

Gunfire Breakfast 2010

23

The 25th Annual State Branch Remembrance Service was held at the SpringvaleWar Cemetery on Remembrance Day, Sunday7thNovember 2010. This Service is nowamajor Remembrancecommemorative event in Victoria and traditionally it is held on Remembrance Sunday, i.e., the Sunday before Remembrance Day.

TheAddresswasdeliveredbyMajorGeneralJohnCaligari,DSC,AM,theHeadofModernisationandStrategicPlanningfortheArmy.

The conditions for the Service were fine and warm. The usual excellent turnout was in attendance, including Federal and State politicians from surrounding electorates, many local Mayors,AustralianDefenceForceheads,seniorofficersoftheStateBranch,members of the ex-service community and the public.

The Springvale Botanical Cemetery and Australian War GravesCommission staffs had eachworked hard in advance to presentthe Cemetery and surrounds in the very best condition for theService. As is usual each year, the roses bloom at exactly the right time. We were fortunate that our good winter and spring weather contributedtotheServicesitelookingitsabsolutebestontheday.

The Service was supported by the Box Hill City Band, underBandmaster,MrDavidFarrell.TheBandprovidedmarchmusicforthe ex-servicemen and women in attendance as well as musical accompaniment for the Service, including a bugler for the playing oftheLastPostandReveille.ThesingingwasledbytheMelbourneMale Choir under the direction of Mr Chris Stock. Mr KelvinMounseywasthepiperfortheService.

TheCatafalquePartywasprovidedbyMonashUniversityRegimentonce more. Mounted troopers from the Light Horse and FieldArtilleryMuseumgave great atmosphere to the Service, as theydo each year. Other troopers, dressed in World War I infantrybattledress, as worn by Australian soldiers on the Western Front, wereprovidedbytheAustralianGreatwarAssociation.

SpecialthanksareduetotheReverendBryanNichollsandMrIanWard,OAM,aswellastoMrJohnHanlonfromANZACHouse,fortheir outstanding support and assistance during the lead-in to, and conductof,theServiceandespeciallytotheofficestaffofANZACHouse for their contribution

State RSL Annual Remembrance Service SpringvaleChair: Mal Carson

The 2010 State Conference was held at Caulfield Racecourse on7th|8thJulyandwasofficiallyopenedbyMrAndrewBoltwhogaveawellreceivedandthoughtprovokingaddressandhewasjoinedby theMinister forVeterans Affairs AlanGriffin, ShadowMinisterLouiseMarkusandintheVeteransportfolioattheStatelevel,TonyRobinson.TheConferencehadthebenefitofanumberof topicalpresentationsrangingfromVeteransHeritageandMemorabiliatoa comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the Veteran communityfromthenewNationalPresident.ThesepresentationsgeneratedsomegoodquestionsfromdelegatesandcomplementedtheCEO’spresentationonmembership issues. Key remitspassedby Conference included greater flexibility in filling Sub-BranchCommittee positionswith skilled individuals andprovidingmoredirectiontoRegionalForumsontheirtasksandtheirlocalstructure.Atotalof52remitswerediscussed,rangingfromVeteransAffairsandWelfare matters to medical entitlements and municipal concessions onratesandutilitiesforVeteransandwidows.TheConferencesawtheresultsofLeagueandANZACAwardnominationsfromVictoriaandtheoutcomesofourfirststatewideballotforallStateExecutivepositions, bringing to fruition the changes approved at the 2009 Conference.TherewasnochangetotheBranchOfficerpositions,with the State President elected unopposed for another term. The Conference, from both an Agenda and social perspective was aharmonious and positive gathering for the League in Victoria and all delegates were happy with the current structure and the informal supper on the eveningofDayOnewaswell received aswas theearly finish on the second day.

24

State & National Conferences

Peter Smith, Director & Penny Gressieux at the Appeals DisplayWendy Bateman, Director at the Aged Care Facilitation Display

Major Frank Bell RFD and John Riches from the Kyneton RSL

Guest Speaker Andrew Bolt and National President Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN (Retd)

Flag Party

2010 State Conference State Conference 2010

25

The 95th Annual National Congress of the Returned & ServicesLeagueofAustraliawasheldinDubbo,NSWon14SeptemberandwasofficiallyopenedbytheMayorofDubbo,CouncillorAlanSmith.TheOfficialOpeningwasheldattheDubboRegionalTheatre.

TheShadowMinister forVeterans’Affairs,Mrs LouiseMarkusMPspokeduringtheOpeningCeremonyandtheMinisterforVeterans’Affairs, The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, spoke during the firstbusinesssessionoftheCongress.

The National President, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN (Rtd), inhisReporttoCongress,highlightedtheimportanceof:

• ThefuturedirectionoftheLeague;

• RSLsupportforDefencepersonnel;

• RSLengagementinthecommunity.

Awreath laying ceremonywas held atThe Cenotaph inVictoriaPark,andthebusinesssessionsof theCongresswereheld intheDubboRSLClub.

DuringtheCongress,thefollowingnationalofficerswerereturned:

NATIONAL PRESIDENT:

RearAdmiralKenDoolanAORAN(Retd)

DEPUTY NATIONAL PRESIDENT:

MrDonRoweOAM

NATIONAL TREASURER:

MrDavidSinclair

OVERSEAS GUESTSattendingtheCongresswere:

• Mr Barry Clark, National VP, Royal New Zealand Returned & Services Association

• Dr Stephen Clarke, CEO, Royal New Zealand Returned & Services Association

• Mr Glover Anderson, District President, Royal New Zealand Returned & Services Association

• AVMRet.FXSoejitno,Head,OrganisationDeptLVRIndonesia

MOTIONS

42Motionsweretabledanddebated,coveringthefollowingtopics:

• RSLConstitution

• Veterans’AffairsMatters

• SocialSecurityandTax

• DefenceServicesHomes

• TheLeague

• ANZAC,Commemoration,CeremonialandMemorials

• DefenceandForeignAffairs

• DefenceConditionsofService

MESSAGES

Messages for a successful congress were received from thefollowing overseas ex-service organisations:

• RoyalCommonwealthEx-ServicesLeague

• TheRoyalBritishLegion

• RoyalCanadianLegion

• TheAmericanLegion

• VeteransofForeignWarsoftheUnitedStates

• VeteransFederationofthePhilippines

FUNCTIONS

CongressdelegatesattendedaMayoralReception,hostedbytheMayorofDubbo,CouncillorAlanSmith.

TheNationalCongressDinnerwasheldintheDubboRSLClub.

THANK YOU

ThegeneralarrangementsfortheconductoftheNationalCongressare regularly organised by the National Headquarters staff inCanberra, but any successful Congress could not be achievedwithout the direct assistance of the host State. This year we also acknowledge the assistance of the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch andClub.Oursincerethanksgotoallinvolved.Theireffortswereverymuch appreciated.

2011 NATIONAL CONGRESS

ThisCongressresolvedthatthe2011NationalCongresswouldbeheldinMelbourne.

2010 National Congress

26

Personnel

Trustees in office at the date of this report: Dr R S Webster (Chairman),Major-GeneralDJMcLachlanAO,JFCullenOAM,MajorFBellRFDEDandMrBarryJones.MrMPSherlockistheSecretaryto the Trustees.

DuringtheyeartheStateExecutiveapprovedtheappointmentofJohnCullenandBarryJonesasTrustees.

TheTrusteesnote,withregret,therecentpassingofCO(Bill)HarryAMOBElongtimeRSLStateTreasurerandTrustee.

The Trustees administer the Victoria House Building Trust (the Building Patriotic Fund that owns ANZAC House) with primaryresponsibility for both RSL and other tenancies.

At the end of 2010 the tenant of the 4th and 5th floors hasannounced their intention to vacate at the expiration of their lease in mid-2011. A letting agent has been appointed to lease the space with minimum period of vacancy.

Duringtheyearthebuildingsufferedsomeminordamageduetowaterpenetrationonthethirdfloor,partlyassociatedwithblockeddownpipes.Currentworkisbeingundertakentorepairtheproblem

IwouldliketothankMrBernardChurchill forhiscontinuedgoodworkinsupervisingthepropertyandbuildingmanagement.

Trustees/Victorian branch Property

Administration:Office Services Manager Jude BeshearsReceptionist JulieMurphy

Advocates Office:Advocate Robert BuchananAspendale/Edithvale Bruce TurnerRosebud BruceErrolSale Wayne BellSecretary LindaMancuso

Aged & Health Support:Director Wendy BatemanAssistant EricaD’LasselleTraining & Projects Officer JaneGoninonInformation Officer LindaYemm

Appeals/Membership & Trading/Sports::Director Peter Smith Assistant Penny GressieuxWarehouse Supervisor Robert GreigMembership Officer Steve Partridge (Resigned April 2010)Membership Officer Sharen Peart (April 2010)Membership Officer Geraldine Goodlet

Chief Executive’s OfficeChief Executive MichaelAnnettSecretary Diana David Administrative Assistant ElizabethMansfield

Functions:Functions and Meetings SteveNativo

Finance & Property:Chief Financial Officer Mark SherlockBusiness Analyst Luke Gilholme (March 2010)Property & Legal Manager Bernard Churchill Property Administrator Annette Waugh (Retired Dec 2010)Forensic Accountant Robert GayHead Office Accountant Suzanne NicholsonAccounts Payable Lilian Ly

Patriotic Funds Council Liaison Officer Bryan Arendse Patriotic Funds Tony Ruddell (Sept 2010)

Quality Assurance Officer Dennis Everitt

Licensed Sub-Branches Association:Executive Officer Brian Cairns Executive Assistant Penny Dixon Marketing & Events Manager Elizabeth GuthrieWebsite Elizabeth Guthrie

Project 2012:Director of Strategic Planning & Projects Mark Johnson

State President’s Office:State President David McLachlanAssistant Rosemary Kennedy Driver to State President Elizabeth Weir

Veterans Welfare Entitlement Support:Manager JeffJackson

Victorian Branch Personnel 2010/2011

27

Vale

It is with regret that we report the following deaths recorded by the StateExecutiveduring2010.Theywere:

Jan Nil

Feb Mr Robert Charles Hayes BEM JP, past President, Secretary andTrustee of theNorthcote RSL; Former StateCouncillor and recipient of Life Membership with GoldBadge and theMeritorious Servicemedal – passed away 9th February 2010.

Mar Nil

Apr MrHarryToole,recipientoftheANZACoftheYearAwardin2008–PassedawayApril2010

May BrigadierAlfredThomas(Ding)BellOBE–passedaway21stApril 2010

Jun Nil

Jul RearAdmiralNigelCoatesAM,RANwhodiedon2ndJune2010.

SoldierskilledinAfghanistan: SapperJacobMoerland Sapper Darren Smith Private Tim Aplin PrivateBenjaminChuck Private Scott Palmer PrivateNathanBewes

LeadingSeamanCombatSystemsOperatorAndrewWakely.

Mr Kenneth Campbell Goudie, volunteer historian whocompiled the list of Honour Boards in Victoria – passed away6thMay2010

Aug CasualtiesinAfghanistan–

Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell, RNZIR – killed in action 7th August 2010 TrooperJasonBrown–killedinaction14thAugust2010 PrivateGrantKirby–killedinaction21stAugust2010 PrivateTomasDale–killedinaction21stAugust2010 Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney – killed in action 24thAugust2010

Brigadier Rohan Boyer, serving Brigadier – passed away 13th August 2010

ColonelLesPower–passedaway25thAugust2010

Sep Nil

Oct Mr Donald Shields, former member of the State Council, Life Member and past President of the Cranbourne RSL Sub-Branch–passedaway4thSeptember2010

Mr Frederick Laird, long time Secretary and volunteer of theAustralianNationalFlagAssociation–passedaway4th September 2010

Nov Nil

Dec Nil

StatePresident: MajorGeneralDavidMcLachlanAO

Senior Vice President: Dr Robert Webster

VicePresident: GeorgeLoganRFD

StateHonoraryTreasurer: JohnCullenOAM

ChiefExecutiveOfficer: MichaelAnnettCSC

ChiefFinancialOfficer: MarkSherlock

StateExecutiveMember KeithRossiAMOBERFDEDStateExecutiveMember RNeilSlaughterStateExecutiveMember AnthonyWilsonAMPSMRFDStateExecutiveMember HaroldHeslopJPStateExecutiveMember MarkBrownJPStateExecutiveMember DavidLewien

Additional Members:In accordance with Rule 7.1 (4) (b) Mr John Mackay, and MrsAnnePahlwereappointedby theExecutiveon the15thJuly 2010.MrMackay resigned in November 2010 and in accordance withthisRule,MrGrahamKeatingwasappointedinNovember2010.

Meetings:ThenewlyelectedStateExecutivemetinJuly,August,October,NovemberandDecember2010.

RSL State Executive 2010-2011

State Executive

28

Sub-Branch Membership

Headquarters 6621st Serbian 19Alexandra 67Altona 717Anglesea 65ApolloBay 54Ararat 186Aspendale/Edithvale 580Avenel 30Avoca 33BacchusMarsh 112Bairnsdale 1750Ballan 46Ballarat 374Balmoral 13Balwyn 63BarwonHeads 64Bayswater 158BCOF 42Beaumaris 529Beechworth 54Benalla 192BendigoDistrict 821Bentleigh 1519Berwick 197Birchip 26Birregurra 14Blackburn 144Boort 16Boronia 237BoxHill 2048Briagolong 41Bright 167Broadford 47Buninyong 50Bunyip 29Burwood 27CamberwellCity 104Camperdown 58CannRiver 8Casterton 97Castlemaine 127Caulfield 510Cavendish 23Charlton 23Chelsea 701Cheltenham/Moorabbin 302Clayton 615Clunes 38Cobram/Barooga 133Coburg 114

Cockatoo 23Cohuna/Leitchville 125Colac 402Coleraine 47Corryong 39Cranbourne 842Creswick/Smeaton 43CribPoint 101Croydon 172DandenongRanges 24Dandenong 1777Darebin 740Daylesford 71Derrinallum 11DiamondCreek 60Dimboola 29Donald 32Doncaster 109Dookie 8Dromana/RedHill 509Drouin 78Drysdale 78Dunkeld 21Dunolly-Bealiba 66EastMalvern 575Echuca/Moama 107Edenhope 45Eildon 32Elmore 12Eltham 19Elwood 236Emerald 86Ensay-SwiftsCreek 7Epping 1070Essendon 70Euroa 42Fairfield/Alphington 71Fawkner 120FishCreek 25Flemington/Kensington 27Flinders 27Footscray 94Foster 45Frankston 2813Geelong 1543Gembrook 51Girgarre 18Gisborne-MacedonRanges 634Glenroy 7Glenthompson 1728Greensborough 4

Gunbower 106Hamilton 349Hampton 17Harrow 123Hastings 3Hawthorn 610Healesville 294Heathcote 88Heidelberg 188Hellenic 153Heyfield 36Heywood 27Highett 783Hopetoun 17Horsham 383Hurstbridge 15Inglewood-Bridgwater 23Interstate Transfers 13Inverleigh 34Inverloch 81Italian 18Ivanhoe 127KangarooFlat 103Kaniva 14Katunga 9KeilorEast 879Kerang&District 44Kew 131Kiewa 31Kilmore 57KooWeeRup 29Koondrook 33Korea 19Korumburra 36Kyabram 61Kyneton 632LakeBolac 15LakesEntrance 559LangLang 27Langkoop-Apsley 23Lara 110Leongatha 700Lilydale 56Loch Sport 150Longwarry 15Lorne 13Macarthur 26Maffra 91Maldon 35Mallacoota 41Malta-GeorgeCross 4

2010 TOTAL MEMBERSHIPNote:totalnumbersforeachSub-BranchincludesAffiliateMemberswhereapplicable

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Manangatang 20Mansfield 10Maribyrnong-Maidstone 37Maryborough 65Marysville 23Mathoura 14Meeniyan 36Melbourne 150Melton 104Mentone 395Merbein 48MerchantNavy 22Meredith 12Metung 57Mildura 543Minyip 12MirbooNorth 22MiscellaneousList 1Mitcham 268Mitiamo-EastLoddon 13Moe 681Monbulk 74Montmorency 838Mornington 207Mortlake 18Morwell 1121MountBeauty 33MountEvelyn 38Murchison 20Murtoa 23Myrtleford 56Nagambie 51NarNarGoon 16Nathalia-Picola 42Natimuk 19NewZealand 25Newport 82Nhill 38NoblePark 715Norlane 123NorthBalwyn 100Numurkah 90Oakleigh/Carnegie 205OceanGrove 130Omeo 25Orbost 38Ouyen 9Pakenham 43PascoeVale 884Patchewollock 8Paynesville 37

PeninsulaEx-Servicewomen 52Penshurst 17PhillipIsland 1343Piangil 24Polish 9Port Fairy 53Portarlington-StLeonards 104Portland 103Prahran 105Pyramid Hill 10Queenscliff-PointLonsdale 136Rainbow 2RedCliffs-Irymple 113Red Shield 56RepublicOfVietnam 25Reservoir 554Returned & Servicewomen 99ReturnedNurses 69Richmond 15Ringwood 1954Ripon-Beaufort 26Robinvale 49Rochester 42Rokewood 30Romsey-Lancefield 46Rosebud 2389RSL Defence Sub-Branch 1921Rupanyup 25Rushworth 26Rutherglen 50Rye 996Sale 360SeaLake 28Seaford 295Sebastopol 86Seymour 137Shepparton 890Sorrento-Portsea 280Spotswood-Kingsville 29Springvale 347St Arnaud 99StKilda 150Stanhope 16Stawell 76Stratford 51Strathmerton 14Sunbury 198Sunshine 344SwanHill 228Talbot 11Tallangatta 27

Tatura 47Templestowe 94Terang 25Thornton 3Tongala 43Toora 39Toorak 122Torquay 138Trafalgar/Thorpdale 38Tramways-EastMelbourne 32Traralgon 464Turkish 12UpperBeaconsfield 16UpperYarra 284Upwey-Belgrave 188VictorianChemists 11VioletTown 40Wangaratta 399Warburton 55Warracknabeal 49Warragul 250Warrandyte 58Warrnambool 294Watsonia 1674Waverley 1124Wedderburn-Korongvale 56Werribee 771WestHeidelberg 82Whitfield 18Whittlesea 54Willaura 7Williamstown 338Whittlesea 23Wodonga 307Wonthaggi 45Woodend 78WoodsPoint 37Woorinen 24Wycheproof 7Yallourn-Newborough 25YarraGlen 23Yarram 72Yarraville 23Yarrawonga-Mulwala 410Yea 44

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Awards

Meritorious Service Medal

MrFrankBell KynetonMrFrederickLyons HorshamMrKevinO’Brien SebastopolMrFrancisOrriss HorshamMrKeithPayne StArnaudMrWilliamTaylor HorshamMrWilliamVale MortlakeMrCyrilMolyneux Doncaster

Life Membership with Gold BadgeMrGeoffBurrows WatsoniaMrWilliamHolmes Emerald

Honorary Life Membership MrsAnneDavies Leongatha

National Certificate of AppreciationSueCoombes MentoneMarjGorman SunshinePamHughes KynetonShirleyO’Reilly ColacAlan Scott Altona

National RSL Certificate of Merit with Gold Badge MrsEnaBaker BerwickMrsLoisRae DoncasterMrsEdnaToole Clunes

2010 ANZAC of the Year IanMcKenzie(Anaesthetist)AlisonWray(Neurosurgeon)

2010 RSL Peace Prize MrJohn(Vehici)Basarin

Sportsman of the Year MrTerryBennett

Life Membership GrahamCharlesBurgess MorwellBruceRaymondJeffrey MorwellEricKneebone RochesterJohnBiles SeafordKevinFox SeafordJohnMcMahon SwanHillBruce Shelton Phillip IslandTrevor Langford PrahranBruceRaymondJeffrey MorwellJohnJohnsonOAM KeilorEastChristopherGoodman AvocaEdmondJamesRoberts RedCliffs|IrympleJamesGeorgeRoss WilliamstownKennethMorrison DonaldJohnMeehan NobleParkJohnMcLeod BoroniaRobertClydeRenton KynetonRoyMervynSmith PaynesvilleJohnDunstan Yarrawonga|MulwalaDouglasBell BlackburnSimonKinch BlackburnHarrison Seymour Ringwood

Life Subscription TerranceKavanagh LakesEntranceJuayCheePhua BoxHillLakPinTan BoxHillJohnMcCabe MoeGeorgeMoxham BoxHillAllanWent Queenscliff|

Pt LonsdaleLewis William Bridges PrahranRussell Dawson DrouinDimitriosHarizanis HellenicEdwardPitfield GeelongJohnFWilson RyeBrianMilner Headquarters

Life Subscription Affiliate EdnaTennant BacchusMarshGemmaMilner Warragul

50 Year Long Service KennethWhite BentleighJohnMcMahon SwanHillAllenMartin SwanHillKeithCoburn SwanHillWilliamGoodes SwanHillBettyClark WerribeeHerbertMorrow WerribeeJohnRaymondSmith WerribeeJohnRyan WerribeeLeonardWright BlackburnWilliam Potts BroadfordLeonardElson BroadfordJamesRobson BroadfordCliffordSpiers EchucaEricDavey CastlemaineLeoByrne CastlemaineStanleyCawthan CastlemaineHaroldScholten CastlemaineLanceGliddon CastlemaineGeorgeRalph CastlemaineStanleyMcQueen CastlemaineHerbertRasmussen CastlemaineJohnLaughton DandenongAlbertJohnTrewin OrbostAlfredHenryJoiner OrbostEdwardRobertNorton OrbostNelsonColinBurn OrbostHaroldHunterWatson Echuca

Women’s Auxiliary Life Membership Irene Torney St ArnaudFredaYalden LakesEntranceSharronKavanagh LakesEntranceHelenHawking RutherglenMargaretSaxon GeelongMelvaMcPherson NumurkahMary(Molly)Anderson TraralgonMarieDenning MallacootaValerieMelville Yarrawonga|Mulwala

Women’s Auxiliary 50 Year Long ServiceJeanHobson WarracknabealAudreyHoffmann WarracknabealHilda Fraser DonaldValda Poulton HopetounMaryAnderson Traralgon

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Metropolitan Group Sub-Branch Increase

1-50 NewZealand 127.27%51-100 DiamondCreek 3.45%101-250 Melbourne 11.94%251-500 Seaford 31.70%501-1000 Darebin 15.99%1001+ Greensborough 15.51%

Country Group Sub-Branch Increase

1-50 Balmoral 160%51-100 Woodend 40.98%101-250 Cohuna/Leitchville 32.98%251-500 Sorrento/Portsea 10.67%501-1000 Moe 58.37%1001+ PhillipIsland 4.84%

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Sub-Branch Reports

Inmid-2009,theCaulfieldSub-BranchlearntthattheNewZealandSub-Branch of the RSL was in danger of disbanding for a number ofreasons, includingthelackofaplacetocallhome.TheNZSub-BranchwhichcomprisesexpatriatemembersoftheNZarmedforcesliving in Victoria has been in existence for many years, but was facinganageingmembershipandthelackofsomewheretohangtheirhats(orlemonsqueezers).AfteranapproachbythenCaulfieldPresidentJohnDecker,theKiwisputtogetheraplantore-organisethemselvesandtakeupJohn’sofferforCaulfieldtoassistwiththeiradministrationandgivethemapermanenthomeatStGeorgesRd.

Caulfield has always had a resident population of Kiwi membersstretchingback to1920,whenNewZealanderswhohad receivedtreatment at the CaulfieldMilitary Hospital settled locally, usuallybecause of the better employment prospects, or had married a local.

Under theguidanceofPresidentSamSmithandSecretary JamesCoutts,themembershipre-establisheditselfandheldtheirfirstbigget-togetheraftertheMarchonANZACDay2010.TheywerejoinedbyacrewofNewZealandNavysailorswhowereheretomarchandpickupaDestroyerbeingcommissionedat theTenixShipyardatWilliamstown. Italsohelpedthat thenMinisterJuliaGillard (whowasassistingwiththecommentaryontheANZACmarch)advisedlisteners that they could join the rest of the New Zealanders atCaulfield RSL. It was a very successful day, which included aspiritedHAKAbythenavyandsomeofthemembers.Itwasalsoanopportunity to recruit new members.

Recently,incomingSecretaryWayneHarrisreturnedtoNZwherehecompletedaNZRSAbasicwelfarecourseand,asaresultheisnowabletoadviseproperproceduresforlaunchingNZdisabilityclaimsaswellasotheraspectsofNZWelfare.

On February 5, 2011 the Sub-Branch celebratedWaitangi Day atCaulfield RSL. Themorning commenced with a traditional Maoriwelcome ceremony followed by a flag raising and Maori music.Shortly after that the sign at the front of the club proclaiming that thiswasalsothehomeoftheNewZealandSub-Branchwasunveiledby theNewZealandConsulGeneralDanielTaylorandblessedbytheNZSub-Branch’sPadreRevVicWilson. ItwasallwatchedwithgreatinterestbyalargenumberofbothCaulfieldandNZmembersaswellaslocalresidents.ConsulTaylorthendeliveredtheWaitangidayaddressonbehalfoftheNZGovernment.LaterinthedaytheclubwasvisitedbyavisitingschoolgroupfromNewZealandwhoperformedtraditionalandmodernMaorimusic,songsanddancingto the delight of all watching.

CaulfieldRSLisnowfirmlyestablishedasatrueANZACSub-Branch.The flags of both countries and the RSL are proudly flown at the frontoftheclubandmembersfrombothSub-Branchesareenjoyingeachother’scompany.Theirpresenceattheclubwillonlybetestedwhenachoicehastobemadewhetherit’sRugbyorAustralianrulesonthebigscreen. In themeantimethemanagement isstockingNZ beer and wine, and looking for a place in the car park for atraditional Hangi Pit.

BothSub-BranchessayHaereMai(Welcome)toanyvisitingKiwisorAussiesandinvitethemtocallinandsayG’day.

CAULFIELD RSL SUB-BRANCHBob Larkin, President Caulfield Sub-Branch / Sam Smith, President NZ Sub-Branch

Back L-R. Danny Allen, VP NZ Sub-Branch, Sam Smith Pres. NZ Sub-Branch, Bob Larkin Pres. Caulfield Sub-Branch. Daniel Taylor, NZ Consul General.

Front. Rev Vic Wilson. NZ Sub-Branch Padre. James Coutts, Sec. NZ Sub-Branch. John Decker. Immed. past Pres. Caulfield.

Sue Pennicuik MLC. Caulfield Club member and Victorian Parliamentarian

TheMirbooNorthSub-Branchattractedfivenewmembersin2010bringing our total membership to 29.

The upgrade to our kitchenwas completed prior to ANZAC Dayand used for the first time for a Sub-Branch lunch for all members. Theimprovedfacilitieshaveseenanuptakeintheuseofthehallbycommunity groups which in turn has allowed funds earned to be spent on replacement of obsolete and heavy tables and chairs more conducive for the use of older members.

The Sub-Branch operates a twelve-seat RSL Community Bus tosupport the members, the wider veteran community and the township. A replacement bus was ordered but not delivered within the year. Funding from the Bushfire Recovery organisation allowed the old bus to be retained and operated by the Sub-Branch doubling our capacity for in-house use and external hiring.

Christmas lunch was a great success for members, veterans andothersfromtheAgedCarefacilityaswellasLegacyWidows.

MIRBOO NORTH RSL SUB-BRANCH Peter Fraser, Hon. Secretary/Treasurer

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TheCohuna/LeitchvilleRSLSub-Branchcontinuestomaintaintheirprogressiveattitudegaining23newmembersagainstthelossof4WWII Veterans.

The Sub-Branch membership now totals 125 maintaining the steadyincreaseoverthepastsixyearsfrom75membersto125–64ofwhomare affiliatedmembers indicating that the townsfolkare very aware of the need to help our veterans and families and tomaintainourmemorialservicesintothefuture.Ourlocalschoolchildren are heavily involved in all of our memorial services and someorganisetheirowninvitingourveteranstoattend.ForANZACDay we conduct services at our four schools as well as at the local retirement village.

Ourmajorundertakings,withthehelpofgrants,forthepastyearhave been:

a) The renovating of our kitchen with new bench tops, newcupboards, dish washer and non slip floor covering.

b) paving around the cenotaph, depicting three branches of our defence forces and the RSL emblem.

c) The placing of an honour board in our memorial Hall for our peacekeepersandthosecurrentlyservingintheatresofwar.

Over60memberswerepresentatourMaymeetingtohear localgirl,CaptAngelaDentS02CorpsHealthServices,LatchfordBarracksastheguestspeaker. OurMemorialDayServicesattractgrowingnumberswithover400attendingthelastANZACDayservicesTownpopulation 2000.

Majorsocialevents–ANZACeveSocialDinner–MelbourneCupEveBBQandSocial–ChristmasDinnerandSocialevening–stillprovetobepopularwithover70membersandtheirpartnersattendingthese events each year.

COHUNA/LEITCHVILLE RSL SUB-BRANCH John G Brown, President

Cohuna/Leitchville Cenotaph

TheRemembranceDayService,Thursday11thNovember2010,heldattheRSLKingstonMemorialParkMentonewasamostmemorableand solemn occasion which was much appreciated by the three CouncilDignitariesattending,thelargegroupsoforganisedSchoolStudentsfromMentoneGirlsGrammar,StBede’sCollege,MentoneGrammar, Mentone Park Primary, Mentone Secondary College,KilbredaCollege,MentonePrimary,StPatrick’sPrimary,St.LouisDeMontford,ParktonePrimary,StBrigid’sMordialloc,ParkdalePrimary,andthelocalresidentsandmembersoftheMentoneRSL.Thecrowdwas estimated to be in excess of 350. The Service was organised by Col.JohnHLeeRFDED(Retd)andOfficiatedbyCommodoreTonyWilsonAMPSMRFD(Retd)onanabsolutelyperfectday.

A splendidly turned out and expertly drilled Catafalque Guard wasprovidedbyMentoneGrammarSchoolCadetsaswellasanexperiencedBugler. The Victorian Re-enactment Society provided a replica WW1 Field Dressing Station which was a great attraction but may have left somepotentialMedicalStudentshavingsecondthoughts.

Afterwards, all were invited to a morning feast of Party Pies, FairyBread,CakesandSlicesofeverydescription,SoftDrinksandTeaandScones for theelderly,allorganisedby theMentoneRSLWomen’sAuxiliary.

MENTONE RSL SUB-BRANCHBernie Considine, Secretary

Mentone Remembrance Day 2010

Capt Angela Dent SO2 Health Services, Latchford

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Another very satisfying year in supporting the needs of our Ex-servicecommunityandlocalworthyprojects.

Ourtotalmonetarycommitmentbeing$189,000.Aftersubsidisingmeals to the value of $61,000, and paying $ 35,000.

In capitation fees for our respected over 80s members, we also supported the Doveton Special Soccer Club, two Cricket clubs, a football team, and the Dandenong-Casey-Cardinia UmpiresAssociation.

We proudly support two Day Clubs, The Whirleybirds and theFreedomDayClub,thelatterbeingforVietnameseEx-servicemenand their families.

Oneofourproudest annual events is ourANZACDayParade.AswellasourrespectedVeteransleadingtheMarch,otherparticipantsinclude the Italian Alpini, Turkish, Vietnamese, Iraqi interpreters,Police, Police Cadets, Lions Club, Girl Guides and various others.OurceremoniesaresupportedbyourlocalArmyReserveandArmyCadetUnits,andNavymembersfromHMASCerberus,andofcoursea fly-past at low level by our RAAF Roulettes.

DANDENONG CRANBOURNE RSL SUB-BRANCHJohn Filmer

The Ensay/Swifts Creek Sub-Branch RSL is located in the remotehighcountryofEastGippsland,nearOmeoandMtHotham.

Our Sub-Branch has suffered a substantial loss ofmembers overthe years. Last year we had only about six members and we were discussingamalgamationwiththeOmeoSub-BranchRSL.

At ourGeneralMeeting inDecember 2010,AffiliateMemberBevCooksuggestedthatwetrytorecruitnewAffiliateMembers.Thishas proved to be a surprising winner as we have recruited thirteen newAffiliateMembers and two new ServiceMembers. Our totalmembership has risen from six to twenty members, with several otherswantingtojoin.Thishasbeenachievedinonlytwomonths.

REEDY FLAT MEMORIAL

The Reedy Flat memorial is dedicated to WW1 veterans. It is located onadirttrackabout10kilometresfromEnsay.Itisonly1kilometrefrom uninhabited bush country which stretches from Ensay to Mt Kosciusko. A beautiful and remote place, but in the early 1900’s theareawasquiteheavilypopulatedby farmersand theirworkers.Today there are about 4 farmhouses left scatteredoverthousands of acres.

The Reedy Flat memorial has 33 names inscribed on it, about 10 of themdiedinWW1.Itseemsremarkablethatsomanyfromthatareaserved in WW1, but now the whole area is virtually deserted.

Recently the Bairnsdale RSL made funds available to renew the name inscriptions on the memorial and we thank them for their contribution

ENSAY/SWIFTS CREEK RSL SUB-BRANCH Russell Adams, President / Greg Weaver, Secretary

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FrankstonRSLwasfoundedin1919byagroupofVeteransfollowingthe “Great War”. Since its first meeting Frankston has moved,expanded and grown into arguably one of the most successful and progressive Sub-Branches in the State.

Overthepastfiveyearsthesitehasseensubstantialredevelopmentto cater for an ever changing market and members needs andlast year we were able to host over 650 members and guests on ANZACDay.Toensure thatwearewellplaced tocater for futurerequirements2010sawusfocusona“MasterPlan“strategysothatfuture development will see a synergetic approach to the need of members in the coming decades.

In addition to our site works we have also strengthened ourlinks with other Ex Service Organizations and our hard workingWomen’sAuxiliarytoensurethebestpossiblelevelofsupportand co-operation for all Veterans and their dependants and now have our ownWelfare Coordinator on sitewhoworks closelywith thelocalDVAOfficeinFrankston.

Frankston has a very strongWelfare Group with Teammembersfromallareasandbackgroundswillingandabletoanswerquestionsfromouroldestconflictsuptotoday’sPeacekeeper’s,thisteamalsoincludes visitation teams and Chaplains, ourWelfare Coordinatoris also well connected into the Aged Care network in our areaincludingVaseyRSLParkanditsmanyfacilities.

We are now pleased to have a younger veteran on our Welfare Team andhavetaskedhimwiththejoboflocatingandengagingsomeofthereported30,000Peacekeepers’inVictoriawithaSpecialProject,weallwishhimwellinthemostchallengingprojectandasusualhegoes with our full and dedicated support.

Welfare does not stop at our Veterans but is extended into the wider local community via the provision of heavily subsided meals for many in local aged care facilities.

WealsosupportthewidercommunitywithastrongandhardworkingWomen’sAuxiliarywhothroughtheireffortshavebeenableinrecenttimes to the Queensland Floods, the Portsea Camp for Childrenandamagnanimouseffort in supportofourADFMemberswitha$6,000.00donation towards the supplyof supplementarypacks tothose who are seriously wounded in action and require specialisthospital attention. These truly dedicated ladies have the full support oftheManagementandCommitteeinalloftheirendeavours.

OutofourCommunityinvolvementafewhavetouchedtheheartofbothStaffandCommitteeandthesehavegonejustthatbitfurtherto assist.

OurinvolvementwithWoorinyan,anot-for-profitorganisationthatprovides day training support services and employment support servicestoapproximately173personswithdisabilitiesstartedoffwithaChristmasfunctionand isnowastrategicandprofessionalpartnership with them our principal grounds maintenance contractors and the most eager team we have ever had on site.

One other such as this is Menzies Homes. Menzies assist in thecare of our younger community and we have recently completed significant refurbishment of one of their houses, again this has grown into a rewarding partnership that we are proud to be involved with.

OurmostrecentcommunitysupporthasbeenforCityLifewhocaresfortheneedyintheFrankstonarea.Ourmembersdonatedhundredsofcansoffoodfortheir“Larder”andtheCommitteeandstaffgavefinancialsupportandalsosuppliedChristmaslunchformany.

These are in addition to the usual support afforded to theGoodFriday Appeal, McGrath Foundation, VSK, Coastguard, and PinkRibbonjusttonameafew.

Frankston has a strong and dedicated team working for thebetterment of all, from a greatManagement and staff team anda cohesive committee with 50% being Vietnam Vets. We have been able to form strong alliance with many local Ex ServiceOrganizations including the Frankston Vietnam Veterans, NavalAssociation, Legacy but to name a few.

FRANKSTON RSL SUB-BRANCH Brent Clyne, Secretary

City Life CEO Mark Whitby , Frankston RSL GM Rob Morrison

Woorinyan Garden Crew – Frankston RSL

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State Honorary Treasurer’s Report

MajorGeneralD.J.McLachlanAOState President Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch) Inc

Dear Sir, Please find enclosed the financial statements and the independent auditor’s report to the members of the Returned & Services League of Australia (Victorian Branch) Inc. for the period ended 31stMarch2011.

I consider the main items of interest are:

Administration Account

• Total revenue of $4,025,559 compared with the previousyearof$3,331,258.Anincreaseof21%.

• Capitation fees of $1,862,537 comparedwith the previousyear of $1,663,913. An increase of 12%.

• Totalexpenditureof$3,670,634comparedwith$3,218,831inthepreviousyear.Anincreaseof14%.

• Asaresultoftheaboveasurplusof$354,925wasachievedcomparedtothepreviousyearof$112,427.

Summary

Consolidationof theRSLAdministrationAccountof theVictorianBranch resulted in total equity of $3,563,129 with a surplus of$353,992, continuing your desire to continue our policy to provide a sound financial footing for future years.

It is fair to say that it was a year of consolidation to enable the Victorian Branch to meet the future commitments for both our welfare needs and our commercial interests.

ImakethepointthattheVictorianBranchhasthenecessarycashreserves to meet our ongoing employee benefit liabilities as at the date of this report as and when they fall due.

RSL General Appeals Patriotic Fund

ANZACDayandPoppyDayAppealsraised$3,849,413comparedtothepreviousyeartotalof$3,425,187anincreaseof$424,226or12%.WecontinuetobetakenabackatthecommitmentourSub-Brancheshave to the Appeals. They are truly magnificent considering the natural disasters that have befallen the State of Victoria

RSL (Victoria House) Building Fund

A very generous donation of $1m from the members of the West StKildaSub-Branch,comingaboutduetothesaleoftheSub-Branchproperty,enabledtheTrusttohaveaSurplusof$852,680.In recognition of the donation the State Branch and Trustees had nohesitationinnamingameetingroomatANZACHouse,the“WestStKildaRoom”.

Appreciation

ItisanopportunetimetoexpressmyappreciationtotheChiefFinancialOfficer,MarkSherlockforhisprofessionalismandhisproficientstaffconsistingof,PennyDixon(ExecutiveAssistant),SueNicholson(HeadOfficeAccountant),LillianSmith(AccountsPayable),DennisEveritt(QualityAssurance),RobGay(ForensicAccountant),BryanArendse(PatrioticFundsLiaisonOfficer),BernardChurchill(PropertyandLegalManager),LukeGilholme(Business Analyst) and Tony Ruddell (Patriotic Funds).

ThanksalsotomycolleaguesontheFinanceandPropertySub-CommitteesfortheirvaluablecontributiontotheStateBranch.

IwouldpersonallyliketothankPennyDixonforlookingaftermeduringsuchadifficultyear.

Wealllookforwardtothechallengesaheadespecially2012.

Yoursfaithfully

JohnFCullenOAM

PLEASE NOTE THE FULL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE CD ATTACHED TO THE BACK COVER

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Financials