RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

47 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Annual Highlights Advocating for Veterans In true Aussie spirit, the RSL was established in 1916 to help our mates out. At a time when there was no formal government welfare support for veterans and their families, members of the RSL stood up and became the voice they needed. 104 years later, a bright future and enduring legacy for all veterans and their families is still our core purpose at RSL Queensland. We have a goal of becoming the leading voice of influence representing the interests of the Australian Defence community and the ex-service organisation (ESO) community. And we’re on our way to achieving this goal. We’re working towards a structure that will enhance our ability to advocate for and influence positive veteran outcomes. For several years, we’ve invested in establishing partner programs, engaging with Defence through on-base support programs, funding scholarships for ex-Defence personnel, partners and their children, and establishing an employment program to ease the transition from Defence to civilian employment. We established Mates4Mates in 2013 as a sister organisation to engage more deeply with those transitioning out of Defence – a time when veterans most need our support. We’ve also invested in rigorous research to help us better understand the needs of Queensland’s veteran community, and ensure our programs and services adequately and effectively meet those needs. Since 2013 we have committed over $14 million – $1.5 million of which has been contributed in 2020 – to clinical research and communication of the study findings from research conducted by the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation (GMRF). This ongoing commitment to veteran health research includes the Veteran Mental Health Initiative, which has investigated the underlying psychological and cultural factors that are either supporting or impeding a veteran’s adjustment to life as a civilian. In 2020, GMRF received academic publication of the Military to Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure (M-CARM), the tool used to identify the factors associated with transitioning. This tool is a direct outcome of the study commissioned by RSL Queensland. This research complements the largest ever market study of Queensland’s Defence family that we commissioned in 2017, which surveyed more than 10,000 people across the state. Our ongoing commitment to market research ensures we continue to monitor the Defence family’s awareness of our services. "If we understand, we can advocate. We can make real improvements to the system, but we can’t do it alone; we need the research, and we need collaboration and government engagement." ROBERT SKODA Interim CEO, RSL Queensland Continued on next page In true Aussie spirit, the RSL was established in 1916 to help our mates out. / ADVOCATING FOR VETERANS