10 moments to illustrate 100 years – Part 2

Moment 6: INTERFET and East Timor (1999) 

An article on the front page of Queensland RSL News August 1999 edition to help the East Timorese. Shortly after, Australian troops were deployed to the region to assist in a peacekeeping mission known as INTERFET. 

Between September 1999 and February 2000, some 5,500 personnel were deployed to East Timor, led by Major General Peter Cosgrove. Their mission was to curb violence during the nation’s transition to independence from Indonesia. 

The mission became the largest deployment of troops since WWII, and despite being a relatively short mission, was covered by Queensland RSL News (particularly in President’s Points sections) between 1999 to 2000. 

“On the national scene, the deployment of the Interfet Force to East Timor has attracted a great deal of comment. It is particularly pleasing to see that the Australian public has appeared to be very supportive of the ADF members who are serving there.” (State President Ray De Vere, November 1999 edition of Queensland RSL News 

The situation in East Timor was also supported from both readers and Sub Branches alike. For example, the Autumn 2000 edition of Queensland RSL News mentions that Banyo RSL Sub Branch organised Christmas Greetings to troops in East Timor, while in the  Winter 2000 edition, the Ithaca, South Brisbane, BCOF RSL Sub Branch put out an appeal to help the East Timor Children’s School, citing “Our INTERFET Forces have set a wonderful example in the true ANZAC tradition” (Page 10). 

Despite being “stretched to the limit” and “hampered by an outsourcing policy” (Ray De Veere, Spring 2000 edition of Queensland RSL News), on 28 February 2000, INTERFET handed over its command to the United National Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). 

In recognition of those who served in peacekeeping missions such as INTERFET, Edition 4 of the 2017 Queensland RSL News published an article honouring 70 years of Australian Peacekeeping. The article illustrates the incredible impact that Australian service has had worldwide. 

“Australia has contributed more than 66,000 personnel to 73 peacekeeping operations in 64 different countries, including East Timor, Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. They have joined military and police personnel, wearing the uniforms of more than 120 countries, with only their sky-blue berets or helmets to unify them as UN peacekeepers.” (Edition 4, 2017 of Queensland RSL News, pages 34 and 36) 

Article from Edition 4, 2017 of Queensland RSL News, honouring 70 years of Australian peacekeeping, including INTERFET. 

Moment 7: The escalation of conflicts in the Middle East (1990s-2000s) 

Queensland RSL News also covered the Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq wars throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The first mention of these conflicts appears to be on the cover of the January 1991 edition of Queensland RSL News, when a call-out box with STOP PRESS stated its support for Australia’s involvement in the Gulf War. 

Stop Press call out box on the cover of Queensland RSL News, January 1991. 

Australia’s involvement in the Gulf War ended in September 1991. The July 1991 edition has a few mentions of those who served in this conflict, including a story about the State President’s annual report, a seaman and Gulf War veteran based in Sandgate who laid a wreath on ANZAC Day, and an ANZAC Commemoration essay by Annette Harris of Goomeri. 

“Today the Defence Forces play a wider role than just the defence of Australia. The recent Gulf War demonstrated how readily Australian Forces could be needed to play a part in the defence of democracy in a World arena.” (July Edition, 1991 of Queensland RSL News, page 7) 

The above sentiment remained relevant around a decade later when Australia entered the conflict in Afghanistan in 2001. This, combined with the conflict in East Timor, was believed to have “pricked the conscience of most Australians”, teaching “the reality of conflict to a new generation” (Peter Phillips, National RSL President, Queensland RSL News, Autumn 2002 edition).  

Only a few years later in 2003, Australia entered the Iraq War. Throughout, RSL Queensland remained committed to supporting the men and women who served in these regions – as reflected in this reader’s letter published in the Summer 2007 edition. 

“Last year, Mike returned from Iraq… What did please us and it is a gesture we know Mike will remember forever, was the very professional pack the RSL forwarded to him, along with his membership information… I guess first and foremost I’d like to thank you for being there for our veterans.” (Bob Konig, Summer Edition, 2007 of Queensland RSL News, page 3) 

At this point in history, society also understood more about physical and psychological afflictions that affected many current and ex-serving personnel as a result of war. RSL Queensland was proactive in setting up programs and initiatives to help troops returning from places like Afghanistan.  

For example, in the President’s report of the 2012 Christmas special edition, then State President Terry Meehan talks about the sponsorship of Soldier Recovery Centres in Brisbane and Townsville, as well as increasing support of current-serving personnel. 

Left: A Queensland RSL News article from Edition 1, 2013 about the Lake Tinaroo Avenue of Honour for those who served in Afghanistan. Right: A Queensland RSL News article from Edition 4, 2013 sharing a selection of personal emails sent to family and friends while the author was serving in Afghanistan. 

By 2011, all Australian troops had been withdrawn from Iraq, and from 2013, service personnel deployed to Afghanistan began returning home. Queensland RSL News published stories honouring their service, including reflections from deployed veterans and coverage of the Lake Tinaroo Avenue of Honour, which was built as a memorial for the fallen in Afghanistan.  

In 2016, an article commemorating the 25th anniversary of the first Gulf War was also published, noting that military activity in Iraq continued well beyond those years.  

“Afghanistan continuously nurtures significant leaders through combat experience, tribal affiliations, family connections, sheer individual spirit and willpower… Complementing impressive work by Afghan leaders and security forces, coalition soldiers serve throughout Southern Afghanistan to achieve their mission. Many of these coalition soldiers, including Australians, are highly experienced veterans of multiple deployments.” (Chris Field, Edition 4, 2013 of Queensland RSL News, page 25) 

An article about the 25th anniversary of the Gulf Wars, published in Edition 1, 2016 of Queensland RSL News. 

Moment 8: First Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony (2007) 

Left: Cover of 2007 Winter Edition of Queensland RSL News. Right: Feature article covering the inaugural Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremony 

In 2007, Queensland RSL News reported on the inaugural Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremonies, which took place in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns. This occasion was held on the 11th anniversary of the establishment of National Reconciliation Week and the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum that removed discriminatory clauses from the Australian constitution.  

The significance of the occasion was marked by a front-page feature on the Winter 2007 edition of Queensland RSL News.  

“For the first time in Queensland, all current and ex-serving Indigenous veterans were formally recognised by the RSL and DVA, in commemoration ceremonies held in Brisbane, Cairns, and Townsville on May 28 during Reconciliation Week.” (Winter Edition, 2007, of Queensland RSL News, page 4)  

Subsequent Indigenous Veterans’ Ceremonies have also been reported by Queensland RSL News. In 2023, Queensland RSL News reported on the first memorial to be installed at ANZAC Square since the 1990s: a bronze sculpture honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. 

“The sculpture bridges the culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their contributions to our shared military history. I hope that it stands to educate all people – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – and allows our own people to be proud to know that we’ve had people who served in defence of our country.” (Aunty Lorraine Hatton OAM, Edition 3, 2023 of Queensland RSL News, page 17) 

Other articles over the years have profiled the stories of Indigenous veterans and reported on ceremonial events across the Sub Branch network. 

Moment 9: Launching Mates4Mates (2013) 

In Edition 2, 2013, Queensland RSL News announced its new veteran health and wellbeing initiative, Mates4Mates, providing veterans with ‘trust, humility and mateship in times of need’. The announcement formed the front-page story on Edition 2, 2013 Queensland RSL News.  

At this point in history, many current and ex-service personnel had recently returned from war-torn areas like Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and the Solomon Islands, some bearing physical and/or mental burdens resulting from their service.  

To assist with the transition to civilian life, Mates4Mates provided these veterans with programs and services to aid their physical and psychological treatment, rehabilitation and recovery. The initiative also established on-base recovery centres and facilitated research projects, to “rebuild their lives and overcome the traumas of war” (Nick Ransley, Edition 2, 2013 of Queensland RSL News, page 4). 

“By focusing on soldiers of ‘modern’ conflicts, Mates4Mates can provide an up-to-date rehabilitation service for contemporary Armed Forces personnel, to help them see what they can achieve and offer them the skills and support to realise their ambitions.” (Nick Ransley, Edition 2, 2013 of Queensland RSL News, page 4) 

Other articles over the years provided helpful information to veterans about events, activities and programs to help foster the spirit of mateship and camaraderie among the veteran community. Profiles and reports from fellow ‘mates’ shared inspirational stories about fellow veterans. 

The Mates4Mates lift-out magazine included in Queensland RSL News from 2015. 

Moment 10: 100 ANZAC Days commemorated (1925-2025) 

An article from the first edition of The Queensland Digger about ANZAC Day 

The idea of ANZAC Day first emerged from Queensland in 1916, and Queensland also held the first commemoration ceremony that year. The legacy of commemoration has been consistent throughout the years and well documented in the RSL Queensland member magazine.  

In the first edition of The Queensland Digger, ANZAC Day is front and centre. As a fairly recent commemoration that has been observed for less than 10 years at the time, the publication describes its hopes for the continued commemoration. 

“It is hoped that whatever may happen in the future, the observance will never lose that solemnity and devout character which is so deeply appreciated by the present generation.” (April 1925 edition of The Queensland Digger, page 6) 

Every April edition of The Queensland Digger, Vigilance, and Queensland RSL News since then has acknowledged the various ANZAC Day commemorations which have taken place across the State. Perhaps most notably, the 50th and 100th anniversaries of ANZAC Day had extensive coverage in the 1965 and 2015 editions, including special edition covers to mark these occasions. 

Left: Cover of Vigilance April 1965 issue, commemorating 50 years of ANZAC Day. Right: An article in the April 1965 issue about the importance of ANZAC Day. 

From the 50th Anniversary edition, the ANZAC spirit and heritage were celebrated, with stories and photographs from the years before. At this stage, many ANZACs were still alive and participated in services and parades around the country. 

“Today, then, is more than a commemoration of the landing at Anzac. It is a national day of re-dedication to the ideals for which so many of the nation’s young men sacrificed their lives, and others their health. The ideals of our country to which Anzac gave the first fine expression.” (State President Sir Raymond Huish C.B.E., April 1965 edition of Vigilance, page 3)  

Left: The cover of Edition 2, 2015 which was Queensland RSL News’ ANZAC Centenary edition. Right: An article about the origins of ‘ANZAC’ in Edition 2, 2015 of Queensland RSL News, page 42. 

The 100th Anniversary of ANZAC Day was also used as an opportunity to publish an exclusive special edition of Queensland RSL News. The pages were filled with historical photographs, stories of bravery, reflections from local supporters, and tributes from prolific Queenslanders. A list of 2015 ANZAC Day services from the RSL Queensland Sub Branch network covered seven pages featuring almost 200 event listings across the State. 

“Even today, 100 years later, April 25 remains the most significant commemoration of military casualties and surviving servicemen… In Australia and New Zealand, Gallipoli nurtured the legend of the ANZAC soldier – brave, resourceful, individualistic.” (John Brennen, Edition 2, 2015 of Queensland RSL News, page 57) 

The cover of Edition 2, 2020 of Queensland RSL News promoting Light Up the Dawn 

More recently, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic on Australian shores necessitated the first widespread stay-at-home ANZAC Day commemorations. Instead of attending a local Dawn Service on ANZAC Day, citizens across Queensland participated in the Light Up the Dawn campaign. 

“RSL Queensland was inundated with alternative ideas on how to commemorate ANZAC Day during the pandemic. One idea that came up again and again – and resonated deeply with the RSL Queensland team – was the concept of households conducting a vigil on their driveway or balcony at 6am. This ingeneous idea… would allow the Australian public to show thanks to our Defence personnel in a way that respected social distancing measures.” (Edition 2, 2020 of Queensland RSL News, page 18) 

Today, ANZAC Day remains a solemn and sacred day of reflection and commemoration, and one that RSL Queensland will continue to cover in its member magazine for as long as it’s published.