RSLQ 2021 Annual Report

Standing Shoulder to Shoulder / Continued on next page 75 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2021 Embracing change to find an identity Greater Springfield RSL Sub Branch, South Eastern District The recently formed Greater Springfield RSL Sub Branch is embracing change as an opportunity and finding their identity as a Sub Branch. The young Sub Branch went from 34 members in early 2020 to well over 60 by August 2021, with an estimated average member age between 42 and 49 years old. An attraction for younger veterans is the Sub Branch’s family-oriented, community-based approach, which fuels their vision to be a hub for veterans and their families to come to them for support. The Sub Branch is setting up relationships with other social and community groups and allied health services, so that any needs that they can’t meet directly can be addressed through their network. Veterans still serving via health network Southport RSL Sub Branch, Gold Coast District Collaboration is a growing theme in the veteran support community, and it’s one that Southport RSL Sub Branch and the Gold Coast District have embraced through supporting the newly established Gold Coast Health Veteran Network. Aiming to create a community, the network encourages veterans and supporters to mentor, share knowledge, create networking opportunities, and assist each other using their shared experiences to benefit the wider health service. The group lived by their motto ‘We Still Serve,’ as they organized an ANZAC Day service, hung an Australian flag in the foyer of the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) and Robina Hospitals, profiled members on social media, and offered poppies and rosemary to staff at GCUH and Robina Hospitals. Settling veterans remembered Wandoan RSL Sub Branch, Western District Thanks to a partnership between the Wandoan RSL Sub Branch and the Western Downs Regional Council, the Wandoan Soldier Settlers ‘Avenue of Honour ’ was official opened in O’Sullivan Park as a memorial to local soldier settlers. Soldier settlers was the name given to honourably discharged soldiers who were selected in a ballot between 1952 and 1954 to settle in Wandoan, and given land to establish working farms. The memorial walk is lined with 103 plaques and rose bushes for each of the local soldier settler families, together with information boards telling the story of the soldier settler scheme, and a stylised entrance by local artist Lisa Stiller. A boost of Christmas cheer RSLQueensland In what has become a tradition for RSL Queensland staff, 500 Christmas hampers were hand-packed and delivered to veterans across the state. Each hamper was filled with treats, gifts, essential food and supplies, and a $100 supermarket gift card, giving a boost of Christmas cheer to those in need. Some of the recipients of the festive helping hand include veterans experiencing homelessness, those facing financial hardship, older veterans and war widows battling poor health, and those without family nearby. Standing Shoulder to Shoulder Annual Highlights A boost of Christmas cheer Greater Springfield RSL Sub Branch Clayfield Toombul RSL Sub Branch Southport RSL Sub Branch