RSLQ 2021 Annual Report

13 Robert Skoda Chief Executive Officer, RSL Queensland / CEO’S REPORT RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2021 Year In Review CEO's Report I'm also proud of the work done by our Service Delivery team. This team has grown significantly over the last few years, and now represents a major force for the veteran community, when combined with the Sub Branches, to help facilitate and improve quality of life for veterans and their families. All of our capabilities coming together and connecting each of us, engaging with service members and offering our Sub Branch community as their tribe for their whole-of-service and post-service life can be fundamental in reshaping veteran health and wellbeing. Our work is made possible by our lottery business, which has gone from strength to strength over that time as well. A focus for us moving forward is to ensure that we establish the best ways of utilising the lottery's surplus, to have the greatest impact on veterans and their families. Significantly this year, a single governing body was created to oversee RSL Queensland and Mates4Mates, to improve delivery against long- term strategic priorities. Bringing Mates4Mates under the governance and strategic alignment of RSL Queensland will help us better connect services across the spectrum of veteran needs, from advocacy and support to clinical health and wellbeing services. I'd like to acknowledge RSL volunteers for their personal sacrifice, not only in service, but also in the community, in the service of veterans and their families. The volunteers are the integral links in the chain that can continue the strong impact of the RSL across Queensland. I note that ANZAC Day in every regional town in Australia draws the community together in increasing numbers, because of the hard work of the volunteers on the ground, in the spirit of remembrance. The public relies on our organisation to continue the traditions of commemoration. It is a gift that as an organisation we have been trusted to continue to recognise and hold true the sacrifice of those who have gone before us. My thanks also go to our staff, a team that I see commitment from every day to drive RSL Queensland forward. In a year that saw some staff turnover at senior levels and changing workplace restrictions due to the pandemic, our staff adapted and continued to contribute to our organisation and the wider veteran community by diligently working toward our goals. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our Board and our State Presidents in 2021. Tony Ferris committed so much of himself in focussing RSL Queensland on its core purpose, and I warmly welcome MAJGEN Stephen Day DSC, AM, with whom I am privileged to have a strong and trusted relationship, to grasp the opportunities that the RSL has in the realisation of its Objects. While we laid some strong foundations this year, we'll proudly continue to announce improvements in 2022, to the direct benefit of Sub Branches, aligned organisations, members, and veterans and their families. CEO's Report continued