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ANZAC DAY 2026
ANZAC Day didn’t just bring people together – it showed us why the ANZAC spirit lives here. Every person who took part helped carry the ANZAC spirit forward.
26
EXPLORING THE ANZAC STORY AND LEGACY
The Premier’s Anzac Prize offers Queensland students and teachers a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ANZAC story and its enduring legacy.
28
FOLLOWING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS
Seth Johnson was one of eight Queensland high school students who travelled to the Western Front to retrace the footsteps of the ANZACs.
50
HOW TELEHEALTH CAN SUPPORT YOU
If you’re a veteran or family member looking to access Mates4Mates clinical services but can’t make it to a centre, a telehealth appointment is available.
58
VIETNAM VETERAN HONOURS CANINE COMRADES
For Ian Hall OAM, the tracker dogs he served with in Vietnam were more than military assets –they were trusted partners whose instincts and loyalty saved lives.
67
RUNNING TO RAISE FOR THOSE WHO SERVE
72
BOOKS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
A network of free community libraries have opened the door to bibliotherapy.
74
Thousands of people pounded the pavement in Brisbane and Townsville to show their support for our service and rescue community as part of Run Army 2026.
70
DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY
Matt Dykes wears many hats: Army veteran, Mapleton RSL Sub Branch President, Kureelpa Rural Fire Brigade firefighter and Run Army supporter.
MOUNT ISA VETERANS REVITALISED
An unexpected partnership is helping Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch foster deeper connections in Northern Queensland.
Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch Deputy President Brian Ferguson on ANZAC Day with Brightwater State School students who participated in the Postcards of Honour initiative.
The families who serve beside us
The RSL across Queensland is involved in a bewildering array of activities, and I want to talk about one of them.
As we head off on operations, and as the plane or ship disappears from sight, the thought uppermost in the mind of our partner or family is – will I ever see them again?
That thought stays with the partner who, now left on their own, turns back to their roles. Their workplaces are extraordinarily varied – cleaners and doctors, journalists and office workers, stay-at-home parents and students.
No matter where they are, families usually have two things in common.
They are reluctant to talk with their workmates or neighbours about their new circumstances; they do not seek any special consideration. They prefer no one notices the strain, the sleepless nights or the quiet tears. So, they proceed –indomitable and uncomplaining.
Usually, they must maintain a home. They do this with half the team missing. Of course, the workload is not similarly reduced, so the partner left behind has to pick up the additional load.
There is also heartbreak. Not all of us come home. And all of us who do are changed.
To be at war is to be transported into the blackest corner of human activity.
Unspeakable things happen – it’s not possible to experience it and be unchanged.
So, some families’ struggles don’t end with the return of their veteran.
Yet with devotion and dignity, most were able to keep it together while we were away. They continued to do so as some of us dealt with our demons when we returned.
Our families wear no uniform, they have no medals and there is no recognition or real understanding of the role they play.
We should do something about that.
To the list of installations at the War Memorial, we are going to add one – to the family.
The purpose is to recognise the role our families play in securing our home base when our military is at war.
It will be an enduring reminder that they carry a burden every gram as heavy as those in uniform.
The approvals for the installation are complete. An artist has been selected and the sculpture agreed upon.
The sculpture will be of a woman seated at a table, staring into the distance while cradling a child. There is another seat at the table – it is vacant.
We have a little more heavy lifting in front of us. We have to raise the money to pay for it.
It’s an easy idea to sell. We
could go to corporates to raise the funds.
But, speaking personally, I would prefer it came from us, veterans. So that we can say, this statue, recognising our families, was founded, organised and funded by us – veterans.
There is more about this initiative and how you can help on page 78.
To our families, we recognise, though probably not often enough, that you have carried unspoken concerns and shed private tears.
We admire your strength and devotion and are ever grateful for the love and care you have given us.
Stephen Day
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM
ANZAC Day reflections and the year ahead
I would like to acknowledge the collective effort across the League to once again bring ANZAC Day to life across the state. The number of services conducted by the League in Queensland increased to more than 580, helping drive stronger public interest and engagement in ANZAC Day.
The campaign, ‘The ANZAC spirit lives here’ was designed to connect with the community’s responsibility in supporting ANZAC Day now and into the future, and public engagement is core to its ongoing relevance. There appeared to be a significant uptick in both patronage to services and camaraderie-focused ANZAC activities.
We are very grateful for our long-standing partnership with the Outdoor Media Association (OMA), and were honoured to unite with its members for the sixth consecutive year in bringing the ANZAC spirit to life across Australia.
Their collective contribution has generously delivered more than $41.5 million in advertising value to national ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day campaigns since 2020.
Their extensive network brings the ANZAC spirit into thousands of everyday spaces such as billboards, signage in shopping centres, airports, train stations, street furniture and on major roads, prompting Australians to pause, reflect
and actively participate in commemoration.
It’s estimated that OMA advertising helped 11.4 million people across the country see the 2026 ANZAC Day campaign.
Run Army strengthens community and military connection
Run Army, proudly presented by RSL Queensland, continues to grow in popularity across Australia as a fun run with a difference. Importantly, the event was founded in Queensland, with RSL Queensland involved since day one.
Amongst other events, both Brisbane and Townsville were well attended, with a strong sense of community and camaraderie evident at each location. In Brisbane, more than 9,000 people participated, while 3,000 took part in Townsville.
RSL Queensland is well placed to support this connection between the general public and the service and rescue community, and Run Army remains a great way to facilitate this in a healthy, community environment.
You can read more about Run Army and see photos from the events in Brisbane and Townsville on page 67.
Dream Home Art Union supports our mission
In Edition 4 2025, I outlined four key priority areas, one of which
was the Dream Home Art Union and its prize line-up and value proposition for supporters.
To keep delivering services, maintaining the funding streams across the League and supporting an improved veteran ecosystem, we must continue to evolve in a highly competitive environment. Our enhanced prize strategy is already proving popular with both current and emerging customers.
We are implementing systems that will create additional opportunities to develop our offerings. While challenges arise daily, we are well placed to enhance the Dream Home Art Union and continue to deliver on a mission that has remained largely consistent since its inception in 1959.
RSL Queensland Chief Executive Officer Robert Skoda
Robert Skoda
Our members enable us to deliver on our mission
Acknowledging and celebrating members
The theme of this year’s National Volunteer Week (18-24 May) was ‘Your Year to Volunteer’. It recognised the lasting, positive change created by volunteers and served as a timely reminder that, without our members who generously volunteer their time, RSL Queensland could not deliver on its mission and purpose.
Looking forward, we must continue to provide an environment where people want to be part of our League, give freely of their time and talents, and willingly contribute to all the good things we do for veterans and their families.
Across our League, we must take the time to reflect on the significant and sustained contribution of our members and ensure we acknowledge and celebrate their achievements and the time they give to their communities. Without them, many Sub Branches would not survive.
I would like to personally recognise and thank all of our members who graciously volunteer their valuable time to ensure our legacy continues.
State Congress 2026
From 19-21 June, League delegates will gather in Brisbane for the 2026 State Congress. As part of the State Congress, delegates will attend the official
opening ceremony, participate in the Annual General Meeting and hear from a number of Sub Branches on the work they’re doing in their local communities across the state, before attending the gala dinner later that evening.
Importantly, member representatives are encouraged to network with other delegates – learn about what they’re doing in their area and share ways in which they are fostering care, commemoration and camaraderie in their regions.
I look forward to seeing you there and catching up over the weekend.
Premier’s Anzac Prize was a privilege
Between 18-26 April, I had the absolute privilege of accompanying eight Queensland high school students and two teacher chaperones as they participated in the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Prize, proudly sponsored by RSL Queensland.
We were fortunate to be given a guided battlefield tour of the 1914-1918 Western Front in Belgium and France. Here, students conducted their own personal commemorations at Australian memorials and gave emotional eulogies at headstones to remember Australians who gave their all during the Great War.
We were also honoured to attend the 2026 ANZAC Day
service in the early morning frost and fog at the Australian National Memorial at VillersBretonneux, an opportunity none of us will ever forget.
After the official ceremony, the students and chaperones were able to lay a wreath in memory of the 10,729 Australians officially commemorated by this memorial. In doing so, they committed to always remembering the ultimate sacrifice made by so many Australians during this war. Lest we forget.
We can be very proud of those young Australians who represented their state and RSL Queensland, and know that our future is in very good hands.
Iain Carty
RSL Queensland State Secretary Iain Carty CSM
Reflecting on National Service
I enjoyed reading about David Crickmore in the article ‘A Nasho reflects: 75th anniversary of National Service’ in Edition 1 2025 of Queensland RSL News. David went to RAAF Laverton and Point Addis, where there was quite a challenging obstacle course. I was there in 1956 and really enjoyed my time.
We went to the Williamstown Rifle Range with our .303s and Bren guns, and formed a guard of honour in Spring Street for the opening of Parliament. It made me very proud to be there with my mates.
Many years later, in 1998 in Geelong, we formed a branch of the National Servicemen’s Association. I was Treasurer, and we had all the chaps who had been called up in the first conscription – Army, Navy and Air Force. We had some great times together.
Now I am up on the Gold Coast, and I am secretary of the Gold Coast South Twin Towns Branch of the National Serviceman’s Association. None of this would have happened if I was not called up to serve in the Air Force. We will close our Nashos branch this year, which is rather sad.
Rodger Hendy Currumbin/Palm Beach
RSL Sub Branch
Life Member Awards
Congratulations to the following Life Member award recipients, who were recognised for their ongoing service and dedication to the RSL. We appreciate their tireless efforts and the support they provide to veterans and their families.
• Mark Orreal – Samford RSL Sub Branch
• Graeme Davis – Tiaro RSL Sub Branch
• Joseph Gates – Currumbin/Palm Branch
RSL Sub Branch
• Gary Sargent – Springwood Tri Services
RSL Sub Branch
• Ross Davis – Geebung Zillmere Bald Hills
Aspley RSL Sub Branch
A formal apology from RSL Queensland RSL Queensland acknowledges the omission of the Somalia deployment from the timeline in Queensland RSL News Edition 1 2026. This was an oversight. We recognise the significance of Somalia, including the service and sacrifice of those involved, and we apologise that it was not included.
News
A united approach to national advocacy
RSL Queensland continues to build on its 2025 advocacy work, engaging with decision-makers at state and federal levels on the enduring priorities for veterans and their families.
This includes the Queensland Government’s development of a Veterans and Veterans’ Families Strategy, which is anticipated to be released in 2026, and the Federal Government’s ongoing implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicide.
This year, RSL Queensland has also worked closely with the other RSL State Branches and RSL Australia to improve consistency and, where possible, present a stronger, more unified voice on issues affecting veterans and their families nationwide. This has included representing Queensland’s priorities through the RSL’s National Veterans Advisory Committee and DVA’s Queensland Consultative Forum.
This collaboration has contributed to unified RSL submissions in response to key national issues, including the Senate Inquiry into Compensation Advocacy and Income Support, the Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal inquiry and the recent Senate inquiry into Defence Estate Divestment.
Strengthening a national voice
In March, RSL Queensland contributed to the RSL Australia ‘Better Together Jamboree’, bringing together leaders from
across the veteran community to mark 110 years of the RSL.
Beyond the commemorative events, the Jamboree centred on the Strategic Policy Dialogue, which brought RSL leaders from across Australia together with a clear purpose: to strengthen the RSL’s national voice and chart a path forward for veterans’ advocacy.
The robust discussions identified four priority areas:
• a shared advocacy agenda
• a national messaging framework
• a proposed committee model
• a foundation for the policy framework.
RSL Queensland will continue working with RSL Australia and other RSL State Branches to progress these priorities and ensure the RSL is recognised as united, purposeful and committed to serving veterans and their families with one clear voice.
Institute of Veterans’ Advocacy takes shape
RSL Queensland has been pleased
to support the development of the Institute of Veterans’ Advocacy (IVA).
This organisation has been established within a complex and evolving policy and legislative environment, in response to longstanding concerns about the consistency, quality and sustainability of advocacy support available to veterans and their families.
The Institute will play a crucial role in supporting and regulating the veterans’ advocacy sector in Australia. Its primary functions will include establishing competency and training standards, accrediting and registering advocates, and ensuring adherence to a code of conduct.
Significant changes are forecast for the veteran community for the remainder of 2026 – the implementation of the VETS Act, establishment of the Wellbeing Agency and the IVA. RSL Queensland’s advocacy efforts will continue to ensure the voices of veterans are heard and understood.
ANZAC Day 2026
ANZAC Day didn’t just bring people together –it showed us why the ANZAC spirit lives here.
Throughout the day, and across the state, RSL Queensland Sub Branches hosted more than 580 commemorative events for veterans, families and the community, including Dawn Services, gunfire breakfasts, mid-morning services, marches and parades.
Thousands turned out to not only honour those who’ve served but to remember what they’ve sacrificed for our way of life, and how the ANZAC spirit shaped who we are as a nation today.
Every person who took part in ANZAC Day helped carry the ANZAC spirit forward.
Thanks to you, the ANZAC spirit continues to live here.
The Ashgrove Bardon RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service was held at Stewart Place Memorial Reserve in Ashgrove.
A
lay a
family
wreath at the Bayside South RSL Sub Branch service.
Babinda RSL Sub Branch President Frank Gatti, left, stands alongside Vietnam veteran Peter Grundman as driver Trevor Vicarioli and Jeep owner Dave McLean (obscured) make final checks, while AB Cliff Stone adjusts his uniform ahead of the mid-morning march. Photo: Nikala Mills, Coastal Captures.
Amby, a small town west of Roma, came together for its ANZAC Day service led by Lloyd Stonestreet, with the local community – especially the QCWA Amby Branch – showing strong respect for Australia’s veterans.
The ANZAC Day service at Banyo drew a slightly larger crowd than last year, with clear weather for the march along St Vincent’s Road, followed by music from Earnshaw State College Band and student participation during the service.
On ANZAC Day, the Bowen Cenotaph marked 100 years since its unveiling, standing as a community tribute to those who served, with 74 names commemorating lives lost across WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War.
A strong show of community involvement saw 380 people attend the Bell RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day service, featuring guest speaker Rear Admiral Brett Wolski AM RAN, participation from local organisations and young members, and a moving tribute by the 11th
Veterans Rob Corran and Bob Croft at the Bayside South service.
Light Horse Jandowae Troop, before the community gathered for a gunfire breakfast at the RSL hall.
A member of the catafalque party stands steadfast in the pouring rain during the Beenleigh and District service.
Members of the Cairns and District Ex-Servicewomen’s RSL Sub Branch, from left, Rosalynne Fenton, Marjorie Earl, Sandra Perry and Kimm Ward. Marjorie wrote the information featured on this sign, which was displayed at the Cairns ANZAC Day service.
Beerwah and District RSL Sub Branch President John Nisbett (black beret) and Treasurer Leigh Christie (red cap) stand with members of the Royal Australian Army’s 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, who formed the catafalque party for the service, attended by approximately 3,500 people despite the wet weather.
A veteran waves an Australian flag during the Brisbane march.
Air Force veteran Thea Margalit is pictured honouring the day alongside the next generation at the Brisbane march.
Rain didn’t stop the community from honouring veterans during the Brisbane ANZAC Day march.
Bundaberg RSL Sub Branch members visited various schools to encourage students to honour veterans as part of ANZAC Day.
A striking banner of more than 3,000
handcrafted poppies created by the local community featured at the Centenary Suburbs RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day service, where a crowd of 3,000 gathered under heavy clouds to mark 25 years of the war memorial.
A veteran hands out Australian flags to children at Cardwell’s ANZAC Day service, which drew large crowds before the community later came together for a shared lunch.
Rod Howard, representing the Tingara Association; and John McDonough, representing 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, participating in the Cairns ANZAC Day commemorations.
Caloundra veterans marching to the Sub Branch Memorial Gardens for the ANZAC Day service.
Clayfield Toombul RSL Sub Branch Citizen Auxiliary member and student nurse Kerrie Crain laid a wreath honouring ANZAC nurses at the annual service held at the TSS Maheno wreck on K’gari, a tribute to the nurses who served at Gallipoli and in conflicts since.
The bagpiper at the Gracemere ANZAC Day service shows a young girl the medals worn on the right side of his chest, traditionally worn in honour of a family member or ancestor who served.
Veteran Mervyn Latham (102) took part in the Currumbin ANZAC Day march.
Pictured following the Emerald RSL Sub Branch morning service, from left, David O’Brien, Les Dunn, Andy Plunkett, Jenny Pedler, Carrol Rolf, Katie Owens and Darron Smith.
Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch Life Member Lionel ‘Leo’ Orreal, left, and Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch member Dave ‘Thommo’ Thompson served in the Army together and are pictured reconnecting at the Gaythorne ANZAC Day service.
A veteran and his family take part in the ANZAC Day march thanks to a ride in a vintage jeep.
Two former Forest Lake and Districts RSL Sub Branch Presidents Stuart Bradley and Steve Ford pictured at the Sub Branch ANZAC Day service at Forest Lake Care Community, the first held at the facility in over five years.
Record crowds attended both the Dawn Service and main parade in Gladstone, with strong community participation and young people reflecting the enduring ANZAC spirit, and the service concluding with a powerful Haka by New Zealand brothers and sisters.
Veteran Paul ‘Smiley’ O’Reilly, in full WWI Lighthorse regalia, leads the Innisfail ANZAC Day parade.
Members of 9RQR form the catafalque party at the Hervey Bay Dawn Service at the Light Horse War Memorial in Freedom Park, where record crowds gathered despite pouring rain.
Gympie community volunteer and ex-Navy Reservist Tanya Easterby receives a floral tribute from Gympie RSL Choir member Margaret Benstead to be placed at the Gympie and Widgee Fallen Soldiers Memorial Gates, in remembrance of her father, WWII veteran John Henry Wilcox.
A special ANZAC Day display at Greenslopes Hospital was showcased as CEO Justin Greenwell, left, thanked Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch President Simon Smith for their contribution to the commemorations.
Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch has partnered with Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club to launch its inaugural veteran volunteer surf patrol initiative. Sub Branch Life Member Gary Penney, right, is pictured with surf lifesaving patroller and Army veteran Murray Hayes, bringing veterans and lifesavers together in service, mateship and community connection.
Cooking up a feast for the local community, following the Macleay Island RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day service.
The community lined the streets in support, honouring veterans at the Kedron Wavell RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day march.
A young boy pats a horse during the Jimboomba ANZAC Day service.
A veteran is helped to the cenotaph to lay a wreath at the Kawana Waters service.
Cairns RSL Sub Branch President Nathan Shingles travelled to the Gallipoli Peninsula in Türkiye after being selected as a beach cemetery assistant with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, helping support visitors, coordinate movements and deliver the ANZAC Day commemorations.
Despite threatening skies and steady rain, crowds gathered at the Nerang RSL Cenotaph for the Dawn and morning ANZAC Day services, where sombre reflection and emotional recitals of the Ode moved many in attendance.
A trumpeter performs during the Nundah Northgate RSL Sub Branch service.
Paying their respects on ANZAC Day, from left, Magnetic Island RSL Sub Branch Treasurer Dave Williams, President Col Foley, Director Glen Pearson and Vice President Tony Kennedy.
Several Maroochydore RSL Sub Branch and PIB-PIR Association members are pictured at ANZAC Square in Brisbane, following their wreath-laying ceremony, led by Major Don Graham (far left). Photo: Margot Baillie.
A special father and son moment at the North Stradbroke Island service, with Lieutenant Owen Townsend (Army Reserve, Engineers –Victoria) pictured alongside his son, Private Jim Townsend (1st Signals Regiment, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera).
Veteran Marie Kirkby, 105, was interviewed by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, sharing reflections on her service after enlisting in the RAAF as a nurse in 1944 at Concord Repatriation Hospital. It was there she met her late husband Ian, a WWII tail gunner, before they married at the end of the war and she later dedicated herself to Legacy volunteering following his passing in 2007.
Mount Perry RSL Sub Branch members celebrate a period of strong growth and renewal for the Sub Branch, which recorded the region’s second highest membership growth in 2025 and welcomed around 200 people to its well-attended ANZAC Day commemorations.
Riders on horseback take part in the Mount Molloy ANZAC Day march.
Nundah-Northgate RSL Sub Branch President Phillip Hickey, left, with his father, Maroochydore RSL Sub Branch member John Hickey.
Bagpipers perform during the Rockhampton ANZAC Day march.
Emerald RSL Sub Branch members, from left, Chaplain Greg Rankin, Noel Mallyon and Bryan Ottone visited Respect – Emerald Avalon ahead of ANZAC Day to deliver a commemorative service for aged care residents unable to attend public ceremonies.
Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL Sub Branch conducted a series of wellattended services, with strong community participation reflecting growing support for honouring veterans and their service.
Pine Rivers RSL Sub Branch members Jack James (front seat) and John Barrett, joined by his granddaughter Georgia in the back seat, enjoy the march from a vintage Mustang driven through the parade route.
Bellmaker Mike Hawley (Oakey) with Pittsworth RSL Sub Branch
President Allan Petersen OAM. Mike handcrafted a 5 inch Condamine Bell, mounted on an old pump jack from Allan’s Southbrook property, used during the 4:28am ANZAC Day ceremony to mark each name of the fallen with a bell chime in the stillness before dawn.
The Dawn Service and march in Port
were well attended by schools, the local community, ADV Cape Hawke Crew and essential service members, with crowds exceeding previous years.
Rollingstone RSL Sub Branch Property Officer WO2 Ian Dow (Retd) goes above and beyond each ANZAC Day, helping prepare and decorate the memorial site before leading the march. The commemoration was followed by a lunch for more than 400 people.
ANZAC Day services continue to bring communities together across generations, with families lining the streets of Rockhampton as a young girl watches the march on the shoulders of a loved one.
Douglas
Pictured at the Redlands RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service, from left, League Secretary Michael McDonnell, President Rob Wilson, Monsignor John Butler, Vice President David Field and Frank Williams (National Service Group – Redlands Branch).
veteran
Afghanistan veteran John Hetherington with his daughters Isabelle and
Vietnam
Vic Underwood with Hallie and Alexa Neville at the Roma ANZAC Day service.
Olivia at the Roma service.
Flag carriers Joel Heit, Brian McLucas and Adrian Smith, with Parade Commander Tony Lindsay, lead Rosewood’s ANZAC Day 2026 commemorations.
Despite pouring rain, Russell Island community members lay wreaths to honour veterans.
Despite wet weather, a record crowd attended the Runaway Bay RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day service. Following the service, member Sally Cameron and her team set off on their ANZAC Marathon Run to Coolangatta, raising funds for veteran welfare across the Gold Coast in memory of her late veteran grandfather, continuing more than 10 years of support for ex-service members.
Both veterans themselves, Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Mel Adams and Chief Superintendent Marcus Hill at the Springwood Tri Services ANZAC Day service.
These two young boys at the Springwood Tri Services commemoration proudly wear miniatures of their father’s medals.
Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch recognised women in service, with President Martin Corbett, left, pictured alongside SGT Chelsea Trueman, Reviewing Officer WGCDR Lynette Horne CSM and WO2 Ingrid Johnson.
Photo: Sandra McEwan.
Veterans march in the Tewantin Noosa RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day parade, followed by the main service, with Dawn and cemetery services also held as part of the day’s commemorations.
Each ANZAC Day, Navy veteran and City New Farm RSL Sub Branch member Gordon Rothe OAM represents his Sub Branch at the Submariners’ War Memorial in Teneriffe.
A family pays their respects at the Tin Can Bay service.
Members of the UK Armed Forces Wheelchair Rugby League team attended the Pine Rivers RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day Dawn Service and parade during their ANZAC26 Tour to Queensland.
Veteran
Samuell Turner with his children Millie and Gordan at the Toogoolawah ANZAC Day service.
School students are an important part of the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch service.
A veteran pays his respects at the service in Verrierdale.
Woodgate Beach RSL Sub Branch President Alexander McKay and guest speaker Major Derek Simpson are pictured with Secretary Cheryl Jones OAM and flag bearers James and Nicholas Cocking at the Woodgate Beach Dawn Service, attended by around 600 members of the public.
Toowong RSL Sub Branch Life Subscriber Barry Weller following the service.
An RSL Queensland member is pictured at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Verrierdale.
Exploring the ANZAC story and legacy
THIS year, RSL Queensland continued its partnership with the Queensland Department of Education to support the Premier’s Anzac Prize – an annual program offering Queensland students and teachers a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the ANZAC story and its enduring legacy.
Through research, fundraising and community engagement, recipients prepare for a study tour of Europe, where they visit key historical sites, including World War I battlefields, throughout April.
The 2026 group was officially farewelled on 10 April, joined by Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM, before returning home to a warm welcome on 29 April.
The following pages highlight one student’s experience, alongside moments captured from the tour, farewell and welcome home events.
Students examined historical artefacts as part of the White Gloves Experience at the State Library of Queensland.
Recipients of the 2026 prize pictured after the Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux in France.
Students hug at the welcome home event following the Premier’s Anzac Prize trip.
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM, right, and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, left, farewelled students before they embarked on the tour.
Student participants, teacher chaperones and supporters gathered for the farewell event.
Students stand in front of the ‘Cobbers’ sculpture at the Australian Memorial Park in Fromelles, depicting a soldier carrying a wounded mate.
Following in their footsteps
Seth Johnson was one of eight Queensland high school students who participated in the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Prize. He travelled from Bundaberg to the Western Front to retrace the footsteps of the ANZACs.
Annéka Salvat
History brought to life
Seth first heard about the Premier’s Anzac Prize – an initiative of the Queensland Department of Education and proudly presented in partnership with RSL Queensland – from his chemistry teacher at Bundaberg State High School, but it was his rich military family history that ultimately led him to apply.
“I am proud to have family members on both sides who have served, including my great-greatgrandfather, in the Boer War; my great-grandfather, in World War II; my uncle who enlisted in 1979; and my great-great uncle, who joined the 11th Light Horse Regiment in 1917 when he was just 22. So, it’s because of them that I decided to apply,” Seth says.
As a 2026 Premier’s Anzac Prize recipient, Seth didn’t just go on the trip of a lifetime. He also plans to teach his local community about the forgotten histories of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander troops.
“As a proud Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander man, I feel like I have a duty to teach them about our history and the sacrifices our soldiers have made.”
From Pinetree Creek to the Western Front
In preparation for his journey to the Western Front in April, Seth took part in a three-day workshop at the State Library of Queensland.
In addition to the records of his family members, Seth also discovered the tale of Lance Corporal Charles Tednee Blackman – one of the first Indigenous soldiers to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces. Like many Indigenous children of the early 1900s, Charles was sadly removed from his community at a young age and taken to live at the Barambah Mission.
Charles joined the Australian Imperial Forces in August 1915, and fought in the 9th Infantry Battalion, before being promoted to Lance Corporal. After the
war, he taught at Brigade schools in France, where he was briefly Acting Corporal.
“It’s amazing to know that, despite the discrimination of the time, he was able to achieve such a rank,” Seth says.
When he returned to Australia, Charles worked as a ringer and a stockman before he was committed to a psychiatric hospital in Charters Towers, where he died in 1966. Charles was buried in an unmarked grave until 2017 when he was properly farewelled with a grave dedication service.
Charles’s story has stuck with Seth.
“To see what he saw during the tour of the Western Front was incredible,” he reflects.
“It was an unimaginable feeling standing where so many Australian soldiers fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Lost
but not forgotten
On his quest to honour Aboriginal and South Sea Islander veterans, Seth formed a close connection with Bundaberg RSL Sub Branch and was granted access to their archives.
“The service records, newspaper clippings and letters sent home really helped me to understand the scope of Aboriginal and South Sea Islander people from my region who served in WWI,” Seth says.
“I also got to see correspondence from Charles that he sent home from the Front, which was amazing to see, and quite emotional too.”
On top of his research, Seth has also been part of his local Remembrance Day services and last November, he recited In Flanders Fields to the crowds gathered in Bundaberg’s ANZAC Park.
“It was a privilege to read the poem in front of the Sub Branch members and I still can’t believe that I was at Villiers-Bretonneux this ANZAC Day,” Seth says.
Taking part in the Premier’s Anzac Prize has made a huge impact on Seth and is something that stretches far beyond his journey to the Western Front.
“What I’ve learned is that the ANZAC legacy is for all Australians – no matter if their stories are lost. My goal is to not only remember the ANZACs but keep the fire burning so they are not forgotten.”
Learn more
The Premier’s Anzac Prize is an annual award for students and teachers that offers an exciting opportunity to delve further into the understanding of the ANZAC legacy.
Students from all regions and educational sectors in Queensland have the opportunity to develop their research skills, attend workshops and participate in community events in preparation for a two-week tour to Europe to visit historical sites and key WWI memorials.
The tour culminates by attending the nationally televised ANZAC Dawn Service near Villers-Bretonneux
on the Western Front – a site where Australian service people sacrificed so much during WWI.
The Premier’s Anzac Prize is proudly presented in partnership with RSL Queensland.
Applications for the 2027 Premier’s Anzac Prize are now open. Teacher chaperone applications close on 3 July and student applications close on 21 July.
Seth Johnson, Bundaberg State High School student and 2026 Premier’s Anzac Prize recipient.
Seth Johnson, Bundaberg State High School student, left, with Kathleen Forrester, Deputy Director-General, Queensland Department of Education.
Postcards of Honour
IN 2026, more than 23,000 Queensland students took part in RSL Queensland’s Postcards of Honour initiative. Now in its fourth year, the program invited school children to design a postcard for local veterans, giving them the opportunity to express their gratitude and respect for those who have served.
Veterans from each RSL Sub Branch across the state spoke to local students about ANZAC Day, the meaning of the ANZAC spirit and how to honour both veterans and current serving personnel before collecting and delivering postcards to local veterans.
The exchange of postcards echoes a cherished tradition from World War I, when soldiers on the frontline often sent postcards home to their loved ones.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch Wellbeing Advocate Gary Penney says.
“It’s one way of educating the next generation and a lot of work goes into these postcards so it’s quite emotional.”
That sentiment was echoed by RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM.
“It’s wonderful to see that the ANZAC spirit lives on in the students who take part each year and that it continues to be passed on through generations,” MAJGEN Day says.
Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch
Wellbeing Advocate Gary Penney and Deputy President Brian Ferguson with students from Brightwater State School.
Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch member, New Zealand Army nurse and Vietnam veteran Maureen Javes, receives a postcard.
Students from St Joseph’s School Atherton with postcards they created.
Rollingstone State School students and current serving Army veterans.
Rollingstone RSL Sub Branch member Darrell Spann with Rollingstone State School students and Major Mark.
The postcards are delivered to local veterans to express gratitude for their service.
Students put a lot of time and energy into their postcard creations.
Gracemere RSL Sub Branch member Albert ‘Ned’ Powell MBE with students of the Waraburra State School.
The initiative allows students to design postcards for local veterans.
ANZAC sports during World War I
During World War I, Australians carried their love of sports wherever the conflict took them.
Dr Susan E. M. Kellett
WHETHER
on the open sea, the shifting sands of the Middle East, the cricket and rugby fields of England, or the muddy grounds of the Western Front, the Aussies were always ready for a match.
Passing time on the journey to and from war
The journey to and from war took approximately four weeks each way. Shipboard sport played an important role in maintaining fitness, building team cohesion and relieving the tedium of a long sea voyage. Despite the cramped conditions, sailors and soldiers managed to find space for impromptu games of football and cricket.
In the absence of sporting equipment, they made do with objects converted from what was available. Decks became temporary boxing rings or athletic tracks, while less formal games – such as threelegged, wheelbarrow and egg-and-spoon races – proved equally popular.
Cricket under fire: Shell Green, Gallipoli
Arguably the most famous cricket match played by the Anzacs during WWI took place at Shell Green, Gallipoli, on 17 December 1915. Shell Green was located south of Ari Burnu and overlooked the Aegean Sea.
While it had obtained its name from the enemy’s propensity to shell the site, it nevertheless contained a relatively flat and barren patch of ground well suited to the needs of a cricket team. With plans for the Australian evacuation underway and shells flying overhead, the players successfully distracted the Turks while also surviving the match.
Charles Bean – who would go on to become Australia’s Official War Historian – watched the precipitous match and captured the moment that Major George Macarthur Onslow was caught out.
Charles Bean’s photograph of the December 1915 cricket match at Shell Green, Gallipoli. Photo: Australian War Memorial G01289.
With plans for the Australian evacuation underway and shells flying overhead, the players successfully distracted the Turks while also surviving the match.”
Nurses at play
Nurses were not excluded from the benefits of sport while serving abroad with the AIF. Although encumbered by their long skirts and aprons, they frequently played cricket against their patients. In India, the nurses’ team looked the part in their lightweight dresses, which conveniently also served as cricket whites!
In mid-1915, nurses of the No.1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield Park, England, took to the field to play their patients. Many of these men were convalescing from physical and emotional injuries
sustained at Gallipoli, and some were missing limbs. Despite these limitations, the patients nevertheless won the match.
Sport at the heart of the first ANZAC Day
On 25 April 1916, Australian troops at Ferry Post in Egypt were given the day off to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli 12 months earlier. The day unfolded in a way that would have felt familiar to Australians at home and abroad.
In the morning, camp chaplains delivered a commemorative service. After hymns and an address
Nine of the 31 members of the Alderley Cricket Club who enlisted to serve abroad during WWI. Photo: Queenslander, 3 June 1916, 27.
The Nurses’ Eleven take to the field at Harefield Park in mid-1915. Photo: Mirror of Australia, 4 December 1915, 10.
by the commanding officer, the men marched back to their parade ground and fell out. The rest of the day was dedicated to a sports carnival: horseback wrestling, swimming in the nearby Suez Canal and other aquatic events, before a concert brought the day to a close.
Taking the team to war
During WWI, sporting teams often enlisted together to serve at the front. Teams proudly announced tallies of colleagues who had gone to “join the colours” in their local newspapers and many claimed to hold the record for club recruitment.
By mid-1916, no fewer than 38 members of the Warrnambool Cricket Club had enlisted; East Sydney had farewelled at least 50 members of its local athletics club; and 66 members of the Glebe Rugby Club had “shown their fighting spirit”.
In some cases, the drain on membership affected the club’s viability. In Melbourne, Fairfield Hockey Club disbanded due to a paucity of players, while in some cases junior members –“men of non-military age” – were relied upon to keep senior teams competitive.
“Good cricketers and charming men”: the Australian Services Cricket Team
After the Armistice, the challenge of returning thousands of men to Australia emerged. Cricket offered one way to keep them occupied while they waited to embark.
Australia’s team of soldier cricketers opened their tour of Britain in mid-May 1919. Over the next four months they played 28 first-class matches against primarily county sides.
The Aussies won 12 games, drew 12, and suffered only four losses. Back home, Australians were thrilled at the team’s success, which was reported in the pages of their local press. Apart from being a sensation, the tour also launched the careers of several test cricketers, including all-rounder Herbie Collins and wicket-keeper Bert Oldfield.
The legacy continues
Sport remains an important part of our ANZAC tradition. But did you know that until 1958 – 1964 in Queensland – organised sport was banned on ANZAC Day? The WWI veterans jealously guarded 25 April as an official day of mourning for their fallen mates, and by the 1930s restrictions on a range of businesses and activities maintained the solemnity of the day: hotels and theatres remained shut and organised sport was prohibited.
After WWII, younger veterans began railing against the “deadly air of dullness” that prevailed on the afternoon of 25 April each year. With growing community support, legislation was changed to accommodate organised sport… but only with ministerial approval and only after 1pm!
Communities united: ANZAC Day in outback Queensland
In outback Queensland, ANZAC Day is about more than commemoration. At Gemfields RSL Sub Branch, it’s a living tradition where communities come together to honour sacrifice, support veterans and keep the ANZAC spirit alive.
Annéka Salvat
INthe middle of Anakie Siding, in front of a memorial flame, four communities gather to remember the fallen on ANZAC Day. Some come from as far away as Willows – 40km further west – others from down the street. But no matter how far the journey, taking the time to remember those who’ve served comes first.
“Everyone makes the effort to be there –even our older members and local school kids,” Gemfields RSL Sub Branch President, Sue Ansford, says.
“Whether they lay a wreath, or take part in the march, we all come together to continue the ANZAC legacy and pass it on to the next generation.”
Whilst the Dawn Service is the highlight of the day for the local community, ANZAC Day doesn’t stop there for the Sub Branch. The Dawn Service is followed by a gunfire breakfast – complete with rum for those who want it – then a march and a main service. Local emergency services and SES crews take part as well as veterans, nearby schools and community groups.
“We get a lot of support from the community, which really helps us as a small Sub Branch,” Sue says.
No one left behind
Helping out when times are tough, ensuring no mate is left behind, is a core value in this Central Queensland community, and that includes driving across the countryside to pick up veterans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to make it to the commemorative service.
“One of our veterans isn’t very well at the moment. He also lives quite far away, so he’s actually staying in town until after ANZAC Day so he can be here and then one of our volunteers is driving him in a sidecar for the march,” Sue explains.
“Without that community support, we wouldn’t be able to do things like that. Everybody pitches in and it makes for a great day.”
Getting older veterans to participate isn’t always easy in such a remote location, with many enjoying the solitude of country life. However, a recent shift has seen more veterans move to the area. Sue is hopeful that this renewed presence will help keep the traditions of ANZAC Day alive in the community for many years to come.
“I hope that in the future, their children will stay here and bring their children to ANZAC Day services, like so many generations before them,” Sue says
As the daughter of a veteran herself, Sue knows
just how important it is for all communities to commemorate ANZAC Day, no matter where they are.
“My dad was a prisoner of war, so he never said much about his time in service, but he would always make sure we were there for the Dawn Service.
“For me now, it’s a day to remember the sacrifices he made and the ones that are still being made today in modern conflicts. ANZAC Day is for everyone who’s served.”
ABOVE: Gemfields RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day march. INSET: A memorial flame burns at the Anakie cenotaph on ANZAC Day.
Before the dawn: The hidden work behind an ANZAC Day service
In the pre-dawn light of ANZAC Day, months of planning comes together for the members of Bray ParkStrathpine Sub Branch. President Dan Grono and Secretary Vanessa Grey share exactly what happens behind the scenes.
INthe cold silence of the pre-dawn light, the notes of a bugler warming up carry on the still air. Chairs scrape against the bitumen as dignitaries take their places; wreaths perched on their knees.
Parents hold children who are still heavy with sleep, coats on over pyjamas and their grandfather’s medals pinned to their chest.
The air is dense with anticipation but the crowd stills when Bray Park-Strathpine RSL Sub Branch President Dan Grono steps onto the stage and utters the words, “Good morning everyone.”
ANZAC Day starts with an earlier rise than normal for
most of the local community, but at Bray Park-Strathpine RSL Sub Branch, this day began months ago.
“That moment always gives me goosebumps,” Vanessa Grey, Secretary of Bray Park-Strathpine RSL Sub Branch, says.
“But really the work begins months before – we start planning the next one in June.”
Commemoration requires organisation
The ANZAC Day service is constantly evolving based on the feedback of the community, and the dedication of Sub Branch members who work around the clock to bring the service to life.
In 2025, the service exceeded its usual spot at the local bowls club with many unable to see the stage. This year, the Sub Branch trialled live streaming the service to a big screen, and indicated that, if successful, it would look to introduce multiple big screens in the future.
“We have had to expand the service we’re providing to support the size of the crowd,” Dan explains.
The Bray Park-Strathpine RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day service has grown so much in recent years that members now collaborate with a number of community organisations.
“We talk to the local council, other community groups and the schools, and 2 CER organise our catafalque every year, so we check in with them as well,” Dan says.
Whilst most of the behind-the-scenes planning falls to both Dan and Vanessa, the whole Sub Branch pulls together in the weeks leading up to 25 April.
“It’s not just one person; there’s a lot of people, a lot of volunteers involved,” Vanessa explains.
“We go to all the local schools, we talk to them about ANZAC Day and what it means, and we have
Annéka Salvat
stalls at the local shopping centres selling badges. It really reminds people how important this day is. Not just to veterans, but the whole community.”
Pressure starts to rise
As summer begins to slip into autumn, everything kicks into high gear at the Sub Branch. Vanessa has a spreadsheet to keep track of everything that needs to happen, with added time allowed for mission creep –a term former Loggie, Dan, uses often.
“I worked in logistics during my time in Defence, so I’m permanently early to everything. But I know not everyone’s the same, so we build in that extra time,” Dan shares.
That spreadsheet includes invitations to VIPs including Federal Member for Dickson, Ali France; ordering wreaths; and laminating absolutely everything – just in case.
“Last year, I laminated everything except the run sheet with the wreath layers, which was inside a folder, but it was pouring rain, so by the time Dan got to the third page, it was mush,” Vanessa recalls.
Dan says the logistics of creating and running a Dawn Service for more than 5,000 people can be stressful, but it’s a privilege.
“It’s our most chaotic day of the year, but it’s also the one that means the most because it recognises everyone.”
Before the dawn
Holding the ceremony at the local bowls club means there’s no rehearsal ahead of time. Instead, Dan and Vanessa brief the singer, the bugler and the padre, as well as the local schools and community groups to make sure everyone is on board.
This year, the team were excited to have a lone piper play for the crowd, but a last-minute change meant they had to pivot.
“I started those conversations in the middle of 2025, so it had been in the works for months,” Dan remembers.
“It’s important to me to build on what was here before, to make it feel as special as it can be, so hopefully we can make that happen.”
When it comes to their volunteers, Dan and Vanessa trust their team to bring their vision to life.
“We have complete faith in them. They help us to keep the legacy alive,” says Vanessa.
A place for everyone
As the sun rises over Moreton Bay and the crowds start to head home, the members of Bray ParkStrathpine Sub Branch can finally take a moment to reflect on a job well done.
But the true work happens every other day, working to make sure local veterans know they have support nearby and that everyone, no matter how or where they served, can access the support they need.
“It’s so important for them to know they matter and they’re welcome here too. The RSL isn’t just for the older veterans, it’s for everyone.”
How Hughenden keeps the flame of veterans’ legacy burning
From commemorations to collaborations, Hughenden RSL Sub Branch engages with locals to continue sharing the importance of honouring service.
Jasmine Halley
EVERY
April in the quaint but cosy town of Hughenden, almost everyone in the community comes together to commemorate ANZAC Day.
Led by Hughenden RSL Sub Branch, local businesses, community groups and members of the public join forces to honour the town’s veteran community through events and services held across the day.
Hughenden RSL Sub Branch President David Jardine says this sense of community runs strong within the town, but also within the Sub Branch.
“We’ve all got a good sense of duty to the community and to the RSL, and I think that stems from our commitment to Australia when we joined the armed forces,” he says.
“We build that sense of camaraderie within our Sub Branch and the community through the commemorative services that we provide each year – our main one being ANZAC Day.”
David served in the Australian Army for six years and discharged in 1979, returning home to manage his family’s farm after the passing of his father. He‘s been a member of RSL Queensland ever since.
“I initially joined Chinchilla RSL Sub Branch after my service and was a member there for about 10 years,” he recalls.
David and his family later moved to Hughenden, then Atherton and back to Hughenden, where he joined the Sub Branch in 2019.
“But even before I officially joined this Sub Branch, my family and I would always attend the Dawn Services here,” he says.
“All Sub Branch members and the community hook in to participate in the ceremonies. Seeing how much the community gets involved on the day is really good to see.”
Rounding up the troops on ANZAC Day
On ANZAC Day, David helps with things like the gunfire breakfast and the lowering of the flag, but Sub Branch Secretary Treasurer Jenny Murdoch runs the show.
“Although we all have our parts to play, ANZAC Day is ably organised and run by Jenny. She’s the organiser and – like the good troops we are – we do what we’re told!” David says gleefully.
Jenny is an Air Force veteran who grew up in Hughenden and has been with Hughenden RSL Sub Branch since 1995.
“I grew up with all the Sub Branch presidents, the members and their children, so joining Hughenden RSL Sub Branch seemed like the natural thing to do after my service. I was then put on the committee in 2000,” Jenny says.
“A lot goes into planning ANZAC Day, but I’ve been doing it for nearly 25 years now so I’ve sort of got it down pat! It’s just great.
“We’ve got a good system going; you know who to ring up from the local businesses, the council, the schools... Everyone in the community is very supportive. It’s just awesome to have the community come together like this.”
One of Jenny’s connections is Director of Community Services at the Flinders Shire Council, Barb Smith.
“I’ve been living in Hughenden for about five years now and can say it’s a lovely, embracing and welcoming little town,” Barb says.
“Everyone pitches in and volunteers their time for various things. A lot of people wear multiple hats for a lot of different community groups; people are always looking out for one another.”
Barb says ANZAC Day is an important day for the town.
“ANZAC Day brings people together,” she says. “It’s great to see so many community groups lend a hand to the Sub Branch and come together to honour and respect our current and former serving Defence members.
“A lot of people in the town have a veteran in their family, so ANZAC Day holds a special place within people’s hearts and gives them the opportunity to pay their respects and remember those close to them.”
Keeping the candle burning
It was important for David to instil the significance of ANZAC Day into his children and grandchildren.
“In 2015, I took my two boys to visit Gallipoli and Israel as my great-uncle was killed before the Battle of Beersheba,” he recalls.
In Hughenden, the community came together to bring ANZAC Day to life, including, from left, St Francis Catholic School Principal Sharn Greenway, Flinders Shire Council Director of Community Services Barb Smith, Hughenden RSL Sub Branch Secretary-Treasurer Jenny Murdoch and Hughenden RSL Sub Branch Acting President David Jardine.
“We also visited ANZAC Cove. I remember when we got to the beach, we all sat down to take in the atmosphere and the emotion of the place. It was a special moment for us.
“That trip helped them understand the commitment those young ANZACs had to not only their country, but also their mates. How that service, sacrifice and mateship is so ingrained in all service members today.
“Now, my children take their children to Dawn Services and have instilled this knowledge into them – that what we have today wouldn’t have been possible without the service and sacrifice of those veterans before us.”
Keeping the legacy of the Sub Branch alive was important to Jenny when she joined the Sub Branch committee.
“I remember when I initially joined the Sub Branch, I would see how the older veterans used to come together, share their stories and bond over their experiences,” she reflects.
“Back then, there wasn’t much discussion about mental health support, but seeing them get together and talk to mates who understood them really stuck with me.
“As the years went on, they all passed away, and I felt a sense of duty to maintain this space of connection to honour them. Today, I feel I’m keeping the candle burning for them.”
Another way the Sub Branch continues to honour the legacy of service personnel is through its engagement with local schools on ANZAC Day. St Francis Catholic School Principal Sharn Greenaway
has been involved with Hughenden RSL Sub Branch since she was a student herself.
“I’ve been a part of the ANZAC Day parade and worked with the Sub Branch my whole life,” Sharn says.
“We are a small school of 33 children and almost all of them attend the ANZAC Day march, whether it’s on horseback or marching with our school. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.
“We also teach them a lot about ANZAC Day in the lead-up to the commemoration to make sure it’s relevant for them and they understand why we’re doing what we’re doing.
“I think it’s important for the students to understand the bigger picture and our community’s history of service. It’s also important to me to make sure the younger generation have ties to the older generations and understand what was sacrificed for our country and community.”
Beyond ANZAC Day
Beyond commemorations, Hughenden RSL Sub Branch also connects with the community through its hall.
“Recently we received funding from RSL Queensland’s Sub Branch Grants Program to renovate our 100-year-old hall, which was fantastic,” David says.
“We’ve been hiring it out to the local community and hosting dinners and events for dignitaries here. It’s been great.
“These spaces are the sort of things that rural communities need and it’s a privilege for the Sub Branch to be the one that can provide that space.”
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WWII, survival and the ANZAC spirit: A centenarian’s story
When a bullet pierced the wall of Lloyd Statham’s tent on 15 August 1945, the last thing he expected was news of a ceasefire.
Ellise Gill
ITwas a steamy morning in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, when shots rang out across the camp. Startled, Lloyd jumped to his feet, still groggy with sleep, only to be met by his fellow troops at the door; rifles cocked, beer in hand and broad grins spread across their faces.
It was celebratory fire they said – the war was over!
Though the hours that followed are now a little hazy – perhaps a few too many beers are to blame –one memory remains; Lloyd was going home.
From Ipswich to Bougainville
As soon as Lloyd turned 18, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force. It was a far cry from his job as an apprentice process engraver, but at a loose end boarding with family in Booval, Lloyd decided to take the leap.
“That was just the thing that people were doing at the time. My brother was in the Air Force. I thought, if it was good enough for him, it was good enough for me,” Lloyd says.
For three months, he was stationed in Sandgate before travelling to Sydney, then onto Melbourne to complete his training.
He was eventually posted to Amberley Air Base for Unit Duties, working on combat aircrafts, otherwise known as ‘Mosquitos’.
In July 1945, Lloyd was deployed overseas to assist with the war efforts, arriving in Torokina, Bougainville on 10 August 1945.
During his time on base, Lloyd worked as ground crew in the 10 Local Air Supply Unit (10 LASU) for the Royal Australian Air Force.
“I was a ground crew flight rigger. We had to
During his time on base, Lloyd worked as ground grew in the 10 Local Air Supply Unit
(LASU) for the Royal Australian Air Force.
maintain the planes and keep them flying,” he says.
“We travelled on Beaufort bombers that had been modified to become freight carrying aircrafts. It was very important to keep them running so troops on the frontline could receive supplies. They called us the ‘Biscuit Bombers’.”
Coming home
Though a ceasefire had been announced in August of 1945, fighting continued for weeks afterwards. It wasn’t until 1 March 1946 that Lloyd began the long journey home.
“Beaufort aircrafts flew over Japanese lines dropping leaflets to notify troops that the war was over, but they still fought,” Lloyd says.
“The next day, one of our LASU kites returned with a bullet hole in it. The Japanese troops continued to fight even after Lieutenant General Kanda signed surrender papers on 8 September 1945.”
“There were so many lives lost. You can’t help thinking, there for the Grace of God go I. It’s something that is with you for the rest of your life.”
Lloyd was eventually discharged on 7 March 1946 with the rank of Leading Aircraftsman, free to return to civilian life.
Upon leaving the Air Force, Lloyd married his sweetheart Leonie, “the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen”, and raised two children, Denise and Raymond.
He returned to his childhood love of illustrating and painting, putting himself through art school so he could pursue a career in graphic art and advertising.
People have to be reminded that if it wasn’t for the ANZACs, they wouldn’t be here. It cost a lot of lives and it’s worth remembering.”
“My father was an accountant. He brought a lot of work home and would often work until midnight. I used to sit up with him and draw. He’d be on one end of the dining table, and I’d be on the other end, drawing away. That’s where it all began,” Lloyd recalls.
Now, almost eight decades on, WWII planes have become the subject of many of Lloyd’s paintings, adorning the walls of his Moorooka home where he’s lived for the past 72 years.
A day to remember
At 100 years old, Lloyd has been to his fair share of ANZAC Day services, but seeing people come together to commemorate is something that never grows old.
“It means a heck of a lot. It’s a day we can’t forget. It’s a sad time, but it’s also gratifying,” he says.
“People have to be reminded that if it wasn’t for the ANZACs, they wouldn’t be here. It cost a lot of lives and it’s worth remembering.”
This year, Lloyd marked ANZAC Day at his local RSL Sub Branch in Salisbury, where he is still an active member.
Daughter Denise says her dad’s courage and commitment is the same as it was when he enlisted in 1944.
“For 32 years he took part in the ANZAC Day march through Brisbane City. He started marching when he was 60 years old and rode in a jeep for his last march at 92. He never missed one.”
“Dad wanted to march to show the younger generation how important ANZAC Day is. I‘m so proud of him.”
Lloyd and his daughter Denise.
Lloyd enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 18.
Two nations, one dawn: Honouring ANZAC together
Every year as the sun rises in Gracemere, two nations come together to commemorate ANZAC Day.
BEFORE the haunting notes of the Last Post have sounded and the Ode is read, a small group take their place in the shadow of the cenotaph.
Hushed voices, bare feet on dewy grass, and a knowing glance. Then it begins.
The group fix their eyes on the crowd, moving together as one. Their hypnotic chants echo throughout the silent dawn.
The performance is proud and powerful. Stamping feet (waewae takahia), bulging eyes (pūkana) and stuck out tongues (whetero) tell the story of their people.
In this moment, there is no divide. No Aussies versus Kiwis or battle for the Bledisloe Cup. Just respect and honour.
Bringing the Haka to Gracemere
For those that know husband and wife team Anthony and Ruth Harris, it came as no surprise when they joined Gracemere and District RSL Sub Branch in 2017. Anthony had not long retired from almost four decades in the Army, Ruth had dedicated three years to the Army Reserves, and both were raised in military families.
“Our blood well and truly runs green,” Ruth says.
Though a military man through and through, the inspiration behind Anthony’s decision to volunteer dates back to the days of Ronald Regan.
“I was watching an interview in the mid-eighties on Veterans Day and he said, ‘For our war dead, can we ever do enough? You can never do enough. But if you do the best you can, I’m pretty sure they will understand that.’ And so, we always try to do the best we can for our community and our people,” Anthony shares.
Since they started volunteering, Anthony and Ruth have planned many commemorative services, trying each year to incorporate something new to engage the local community and honour those who have served our country.
Having spent a large part of his career training Defence personnel, Anthony said he had developed a good understanding of what it takes to help people learn.
“I was at Kapooka and the Tully Jungle Training Centre as an instructor,” he explained.
Ellise Gill
The Tu Te Awaroa Māori Culture Group perform the haka at the Gracemere and District RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day service.
“We try to invite a different guest speaker, include a different performance, or focus on a new theme central to ANZAC Day, so people can really get immersed in the stories of those who have served our country.
“That’s where the Haka came in.”
A sign of respect
“It’s not a challenge like you see at the rugby, it’s a sign of respect,” says Letty Wilson, member of the Tu Te Awaroa Māori Culture Group.
The group was created in 2019 to keep the traditions of Māori and Pacific Island peoples alive and help locals reconnect with their culture.
The group is a well-known fixture in the Rockhampton region, renowned for their striking performances and strong community connections.
In fact, it was a chance run in with Sub Branch member and New Zealand expat Terry Henderson that led Letty and the group to connect with Anthony and Ruth, and perform at the Gracemere ANZAC Day service.
“We were rehearsing by the river in Rocky when Terry approached us to have a chat. He thought it would be a great addition to the Gracemere service,” Letty shares.
“It’s been wonderful to collaborate with the Sub Branch. It’s about respecting those of both countries,
New Zealand and Australia, and honouring those that have lost their lives.”
Gathering at dawn
More than 2,500 people attended the Gracemere Dawn Service in 2025, with road closures and dedicated marshals now the norm as crowds spill out onto nearby streets.
“Every year, it blows my mind seeing the number of people that attend,” Ruth says.
Veterans, community members, families and school children come together to pay their respects and acknowledge the sacrifice of our service men and women.
Returning for a second year in 2026, the Haka has become an important part of the ceremony that represents our New Zealand allies.
“We have always had the national anthem, but this way when they [New Zealand veterans and expats] see the Haka, they feel close to home, they feel closer to their people. It’s giving them the opportunity to display their tradition and honour Kiwi and Aussie soldiers,” Anthony says.
Reflecting on their first performance at the service, Letty said she was surprised by the response from the crowd.
“There was absolute stone silence. And everyone was full of respect. They were in awe. We said it was a Haka for mates and comrades appreciating each other,” Letty shares.
“It certainly had an emotional kind of feel to it. Initiating the ceremony and having that connection with the Gracemere RSL – it was a nice feeling.”
The ANZAC legacy lives on
Thanks to tireless work of volunteers like Ruth and Anthony, and the contributions of community organisations like the Tu Te Awaroa Māori Culture Group, the Gracemere ANZAC Day service continues to grow and attract crowds of all ages.
“The kids were coming up and saying that the Haka was amazing, and asking how to do it,” Letty says.
“There was a lot of school children there last year. I was amazed at the number of kids that would get up that early in the morning for ANZAC Day. So that blew me away. I was really proud of that.”
Anthony said building relationships with local schools through RSL Queensland’s Postcards of Honour and Draw to Remember initiatives has played an important role in preserving the ANZAC legacy in their community.
“What gets me is when we go to the schools – I’m absolutely amazed at how much the kids know about ANZAC Day and their appreciation of what soldiers have done.”
“An eight-year-old girl came up to me one day and said, ‘You went to Afghanistan, didn’t you, Mr. Harris?’ I said, ‘Yes, I did’. And she said, ‘Thank you for your service’.”
Gracemere and District RSL Sub Branch members, from left, Anthony Harris, Bradey Livermore and Paul Tyler.
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The notes of ANZAC spirit: Like father like daughter
A father and daughter share music, service and remembrance at Rosewood RSL Sub Branch, showing how the ANZAC spirit lives on across generations.
Ellise
Gill and Camella Brightman
IFyou pause outside the Rosewood Memorial Hall, you might just catch the soft notes of a piano drifting through the air as the local RSL Sub Branch gathers.
The musician behind the melody is none other than 13-year-old Taylor Heit, one of RSL Queensland’s youngest members. She joined Rosewood RSL Sub Branch as a Citizen’s Auxiliary Junior member in December 2025, following in the footsteps of her father, Navy veteran Joel Heit.
A life of service at sea
Joel joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2003 at the age of 20, deploying to the Middle East aboard HMAS Melbourne soon after completing his training.
He later served as a Navy Damage Control and Firefighting Instructor at HMAS Cerberus, before moving to Darwin in 2005 to work on Border Force patrol boats.
In 2010, Joel transitioned to the Navy Reserve and returned to the town he grew up in, Rosewood.
“We could move back to my hometown, and I could still do the job that I loved, which was the Navy,” Joel says.
The fly in, fly out Reserves role offered varied work – from border protection to illegal fishing monitoring – while also giving Joel valuable time with family and friends, until the pandemic hit and then his contract ran out.
“There are difficult memories that have stayed with me,” he reflects. “But the way that I look at it, there were far more good days than bad. It’s not a bad trade.”
After years at sea, Joel has maintained a deep connection to the ocean.
“We live here [in Rosewood] where there’s no ocean in sight, but there’s something special watching the sun rise and set over the water in the same day,” he says.
“When I die, I want my ashes spread at sea.”
How ANZAC Day lives on in Rosewood
Over time, Joel’s understanding of ANZAC Day has deepened.
“As a kid, it was about acknowledging those who served,” he remembers.
“Now, it’s about the sacrifices made by veterans –whether that was the ultimate sacrifice, or the trauma veterans live with long after service.”
When the Last Post sounds, Joel doesn’t only think of those lost in battle.
“I think of friends who’ve taken their own lives,” he says. “ANZAC Day is a time to remember them and their sacrifice too.”
Each year, Rosewood marks the day together, with around 1,000 people attending the Dawn Service.
“No matter how hard it is to get out of bed at 4:30am or stand in the rain,” Joel says, “it pales in comparison to what others endured.”
For Taylor, ANZAC Day is more personal.
“It makes me think of my dad,” she shares. “When he went away in the Navy, I always hoped he would come back, and I’m really happy that he did.”
When generations come together
As both father and music teacher, Joel encouraged Taylor to play piano for the Sub Branch, helping her build confidence while connecting with older generations.
“At first I was really shy,” Taylor admits. “But each time I came back, I felt more confident talking to people.”
Her favourite piece to play is Interstellar, though Sub Branch members are especially fond of The Entertainer
Navy veteran Joel Heit with his daughter Taylor, a junior member of Rosewood RSL Sub Branch’s Citizen’s Auxiliary.
It was this willingness to be part of the community alongside her dad that saw Taylor become one of the youngest RSL Queensland members at only 13 years old.”
“It makes me feel proud and happy that I know that people are listening to my music and enjoying it,” Taylor shares.
Beyond the piano, Taylor lends a hand wherever she can at Sub Branch events and meetings – from cooking sausages on the barbecue to helping pack up chairs.
“Usually, I ask how they’re going, and then sometimes they talk about how long they’ve been with the Sub Branch for, or their service. I like listening to their stories; some of them are really cool,” she says.
in the community, especially for veterans who don’t have strong support networks elsewhere.
It was this willingness to be part of the community alongside her dad that saw Taylor become one of the youngest RSL Queensland members at only 13 years old.
In the future, Taylor hopes to continue to develop her friendships at the Sub Branch and even has her sights set on the top job – Sub Branch President.
“I’m very proud of the young lady that she is becoming,” Joel says.
“Her drive to support veterans and the community makes me a very proud dad.”
The strength of Sub Branch connection
This year marked Joel’s third ANZAC Day with Rosewood RSL Sub Branch, having joined more than a decade after returning home.
“It took a while for the timing to feel right,” he says.
“But this Sub Branch plays such an important role
“This is the family they’re looking for,” he adds. “Having people to talk to keeps you grounded.”
It’s this connection to one another, no matter your age or where you served, that resonates with Joel the most.
“I had an uncle who was an engineer in the Vietnam War. My mum said the only time she ever heard him speak about the war and the things that happened over there was with me. So, I think people feel more comfortable sharing here because they feel more understood,” Joel remembers.
“It’s nice to be able to talk to other veterans with lived experience. It might be in a different era, but it’s still the same experience.”
It’s this sense of belonging that drew Taylor in too.
“We’ve got a really strong Sub Branch,” Joel says. “Everyone is welcoming and that’s why Taylor wanted to be part of it.”
Father and daughter Joel and Taylor Heit.
Rosewood RSL Sub Branch committee and members.
The ANZAC spirit lives here across Queensland sport
From international test matches to grassroots games, Queensland sport united in April to honour service, sacrifice and legacy, reflecting the ANZAC spirit.
AHEAD of ANZAC Day, RSL
Queensland worked alongside sporting organisations, clubs, veterans, RSL Sub Branches and communities to embed meaningful commemorations across rugby union, rugby league, AFL, football (soccer), netball, cricket, horse racing and more – ensuring remembrance lives where Queenslanders gather.
Queensland Maroons star and veteran Julia Robinson, former rugby league star and veteran Meg Ward and cricketer Chris Lynn also showed support for veterans and their families in the lead up to ANZAC Day.
International spotlight: Wallaroos v Black Ferns on ANZAC Day
One of the most prominent ANZAC Day fixtures in Queensland saw the Wallaroos host New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
On the Friday before game day, Sunshine Coast veterans Trudie Avery, Nichole Hood and Hilary Gatenby joined players from both teams for breakfast to talk about their experiences and the similarities between service and sport.
Sunshine Coast and Regional District President Grendell ‘Skip’ Antony joined the Wallaroos for their team photo at the Maroochydore War Memorial and District Vice President Dave Eden attended the captain’s run before RSL Queensland Head of Government and Branch Relations Dan Bennett presented the Wallaroos’ jerseys.
Both teams also sent players to Dawn Services at the Sunshine Coast on game day.
RSL Queensland then supported the pregame Diggers’ Long Lunch delivered by Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government, engaging with fans with rosemary and mirror selfies – symbols encouraging reflection ahead of kickoff. CEO Robert Skoda also spoke about the importance of the day.
Match-day commemorations included a Guard of Honour of veterans and their families – with Trudie doing the coin toss – as well as bugler Tessaley Banner and a catafalque party including cadets. Although the message was up in lights across the stadium, the ANZAC spirit was well and truly alive in all those who attended.
Jorja Brinums
Rugby league: rivals united by remembrance
The ANZAC presence was felt strongly across rugby league, with veterans and Sub Branches directly embedded into matchday moments.
This was particularly evident across Queensland Rugby League’s (QRL) Hostplus Cup competition,
ABOVE: NundahNorthgate RSL Sub Branch President Phill Hickey, Norths Devils lock Brody Tamarua, Redcliffe Dolphins second rower Sam Elliott and Sandgate RSL Sub Branch member Matthew Mancini at the Hostplus Cup clash.
RIGHT: Dolphins player Riley Price and veteran Matthew Mancini.
with traditional opponents Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins pausing their rivalry to honour the ANZAC spirit, wearing specially designed jerseys.
Nundah-Northgate RSL Sub Branch President Phill Hickey, who served almost 30 years, highlights the role sport plays in modern remembrance.
“I think it’s great to see the inclusion of sport on ANZAC Day,” Phill says.
“Sport is a huge part of soldiering, sailoring and airmen and airwomen’s lives, so to come together through rugby league on a day like this is a great way to finish ANZAC Day.”
Sandgate RSL Sub Branch committee member and Australian Army veteran Matthew Mancini echoes the sentiment, describing the emotional resonance of ANZAC ceremonies at sporting fixtures.
“To see the players run out in ANZAC jerseys brings a real sense of pride,” Matthew says.
“The Last Post always hits home… from the very first bar, it doesn’t matter who you are – the ground falls silent. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Across ANZAC weekend, RSL Queensland connected most Cup clubs – from Townsville to Tweed Heads – with their local RSL Sub Branches, facilitating commemorative elements and veteran involvement during ANZAC week.
Six clubs – the Devils, Dolphins, Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Burleigh Bears, Brisbane Tigers and Souths Logan Magpies – featured the ‘ANZAC spirit lives here’ on their jerseys, amplifying the message through broadcast and social channels.
Additionally, QRL, under the guidance of former Queensland Maroons star Steve Price, honoured veterans through commemorations at the 47th Battalion Carnival in Toowoomba, which involved people from the Toowoomba and South West, Sunshine Coast, Capricornia and Wide Bay regions; all players and match officials who took part wore jerseys that included the ‘ANZAC spirit lives here’ design.
AFL: carrying the spirit on the national stage
The Gold Coast SUNS also embraced the commemoration, with the launch of their 2026 ANZAC Appeal Round guernsey, incorporating remembrance symbols and ANZAC spirit messaging ahead of their ANZAC Day clash in Tasmania.
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM reinforces the collective role Australians play in carrying the ANZAC legacy forward.
Veterans were honoured during the Burleigh Bears vs Papua New Guinea Hunters
Burleigh Bears half Guy Hamilton.
The Souths Logan Magpies with the ‘ANZAC spirit lives here’ on their jerseys.
match.
RSL Queensland was proud to support the historic ANZAC Day test match between the
and the
BELOW: RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District Deputy President Trudie Avery performed the official coin toss before the historic first transTasman ANZAC Day Test between Australia’s Wallaroos and New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Sunshine Coast Stadium on the evening of ANZAC Day.
“Each ANZAC Day, we honour not just what was, but what still is: the spirit that shaped us as Australians – the spirit that lives with us, and in us, evermore,” Major General Day reflects.
“Every person who takes part in ANZAC Day helps to carry the ANZAC spirit forward… every action – big or small – honours those who’ve served and shows us that the ANZAC spirit lives here.”
Speaking ahead of the SUNS’ ANZAC Day match, Army Officer Sally Carter highlighted the natural connection between sport and service.
“ANZAC Day is a great opportunity for serving and ex-serving military members to catch up and reflect, reminisce over old stories and remember mates,” Carter said.
“If you can do that while watching a sporting match – why not, it’s very Australian.”
Army, Navy and Air Force members carry Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander flags during commemorations prior to the
One message, many moments
Other sporting clubs and organisations that connected with their local RSL Sub Branches and worked to bring the ANZAC spirit to life included Brisbane Roar, Brisbane Lions, NRL Wheelchair, Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Racing Club.
Through partnerships spanning elite sport, community competitions and regional events, RSL Queensland ensured remembrance was deeply woven into the places where Queenslanders connect – with each other, with sport and with history.
This ANZAC Day, from stadiums to local fields, the message was clear: the ANZAC spirit lives here.
ABOVE:
Walleroos versus Black Ferns rugby match.
RIGHT:
Wallaroos
Black Ferns.
How telehealth can support you
If you’re a veteran or family member looking to access Mates4Mates clinical services but can’t make it to a centre, a telehealth appointment could be for you.
Clare Mitchell, Mates4Mates Clinical Program Manager and Psychologist
FOR several reasons, attending an in-person appointment with a health professional may not always be accessible. Telehealth is a service that allows you to attend an appointment via video conferencing no matter your circumstances.
Whether you are located away from a Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre, unable to attend the appointment due to your health or you have limited time or resources, telehealth can make receiving
support from a Mates4Mates clinician more convenient.
Appointments with a Mates4Mates mental health therapist are available via telehealth, while services with a Mates4Mates physiotherapist or exercise physiologist are available via telehealth where eligible.
The benefits of telehealth
On top of removing the physical barriers of travelling
to a centre to access services, telehealth can also contribute to making the therapeutic process more comfortable and easier.
Some veterans may feel anxious attending a mental health service in person. Telehealth services can help reduce this concern by providing you with additional privacy as the appointment can be completed from the safety of your home.
Feeling safe in your own space during the
appointment can assist you to feel more relaxed and increase the likelihood of effective engagement with your therapist. This positive experience may better support the therapeutic relationship and therefore your overall health and wellbeing.
In addition to this, if you find yourself away from home regularly, telehealth services can be useful to continue your treatment with your therapist while travelling.
Telehealth myths vs. facts
Myth: Telehealth is only suitable for minor issues and is not as effective as traditional therapy.
Fact: Research indicates that telehealth can be as effective as in-person treatments for a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. There is also growing evidence for the success of telehealth treatment for PTSD and substance use.
Myth: It is difficult to develop rapport with a therapist when using a telehealth platform.
Fact: Most therapists are well-versed in providing therapy via telehealth and are skilled at developing a positive relationship with their client whether in-person or through telehealth. All clinicians at Mates4Mates are experienced at using telehealth through the Doxy.me platform and will be able to address any questions or concerns that you have about how the session will work ahead of time.
Myth: There are different rules for privacy and confidentiality when using telehealth.
Fact: The same privacy and confidentiality requirements apply for face-to-face and telehealth appointments. Your therapist will take notes in a telehealth appointment the same way they would in an in-person appointment, but your session will not be recorded. Major telehealth platforms, including Doxy.me, are very secure and designed to ensure confidentiality.
Myth: Telehealth is difficult to access.
Fact: When booked in for a telehealth appointment with a Mates4Mates clinician via the Doxy.me platform, you will be sent a link via email or text message that will take you directly to the site where you will speak to your clinician. This can be done through your smart phone, a tablet or a laptop.
Myth: I need a special referral in order to book a telehealth appointment with a psychologist.
Fact: Your referral from your GP or specialist to make an appointment with a psychologist can be used for either an in person or telehealth appointment; a special referral is not required. You can also opt to
have some appointments in person and others via telehealth, if that’s more suitable for you.
How to prepare for a telehealth appointment
If you’ve booked in with your therapist for your first telehealth appointment, here are some helpful tips to consider before your session:
• Ensure that you have access to a stable internet connection.
• Find a comfortable location where you’re free from distractions. Treat the session as if you were attending in person and silence your other devices (e.g. your mobile phone, TV, etc.).
• Ensure that you are safe, for example not driving, and somewhere where you won’t be disturbed by others (including other household members and children); outside is fine but a public location can possibly present sound and privacy difficulties.
• Make sure that your IT equipment (e.g. laptop, tablet, microphone, headset, camera) are all connected and working. Having a headset can help to maintain confidentiality.
• Try to make sure your face is well lit before your session commences to help your therapist better see you when you’re talking.
Support at Mates4Mates
The Mates4Mates mental health team of clinicians includes psychologists, counsellors and social workers who can all provide support via telehealth.
To book an appointment with a Mates4Mates psychologist, a referral from your GP will be required first. Referrals are not required for appointments with a Mates4Mates counsellor or social worker*.
Once we receive your referral, if required, our team can schedule an appointment for you and provide you with instructions on accessing telehealth for your session.
If you then have any further questions about your telehealth appointment, simply give our friendly admin staff a call and they will be able to assist.
*Mates4Mates can accept DVA referrals for social work services under some conditions (Medicare referrals aren’t accepted).
To find out more about how Mates4Mates can help support you, reach out on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat.
Supporting veterans through service-related injuries
The Mates4Mates physical rehabilitation team is here to help veterans improve mobility, manage pain and enhance their overall wellbeing.
Aric Visentin, Mates4Mates Exercise Physiologist
VETERANS
often experience ongoing impacts
from the physical and psychological demands of service.
Years of marching, running and heavy lifting can result in chronic musculoskeletal issues, while operational stress and lifestyle pressures may contribute to cardiovascular and mental health challenges.
Common veteran health challenges
While each veteran and their health is unique,
there is a range of injuries and conditions that the Mates4Mates physical rehabilitation team regularly see and help to support with.
Musculoskeletal issues, such as persistent pain, lumbar spondylosis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff and shoulder injuries, bulging and herniated discs, plantar fasciitis and knee meniscus tears, are commonly caused by over-use during service.
Cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure and valve issues, may arise from chronic stress during or after service.
Mental health conditions, such as PTSD, depression and anxiety, are primarily caused due to exposure to combat and trauma, as well as sleep deprivation and isolation.
What exercises can support these conditions?
Different exercises can help support the body and wellbeing in different ways.
With musculoskeletal injuries, the type of exercise program that may be prescribed to you will vary from injury to injury and person to person.
Commonly though, it will include range of motion and mobility training first alongside some strengthening. As your recovery progresses, the strengthening component increases, and then the focus may shift, depending on the injury, to stability, endurance, power training or more advanced stretching.
For cardiovascular conditions, moderate aerobic activity (150-300 minutes) or vigorous aerobic activity (75-150 minutes) is recommended weekly, with at least two days of muscle strengthening activities, to help improve your overall heart health and other symptoms.
When it comes to exercising to improve your mental health, consistency is key. However, for those impacted by depression and PTSD, strength training is recommended. Acting as a grounding technique, it can help improve mood, energy and sleep, which has a positive impact on the mental health condition.
It’s important to note that these are just guidelines and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to prescribing exercise to support with chronic conditions and injuries. By reaching out to a qualified physiotherapist or exercise physiologist, they will work with you to find out what’s best for your health.
How to get started
To better support your health and wellbeing through exercise, the first step is to speak with your GP or medical specialist about a referral (either through DVA or Medicare) to a qualified exercise professional, so you can then book in for an initial appointment.
Typically, an initial appointment includes collecting a medical history and reviewing your conditions and concerns, goal setting, and then collecting baseline data on where you are at functionally.
Support at Mates4Mates
With rehabilitation gyms located within Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centres, Mates4Mates physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are experienced in supporting veterans and understand the complexities of service-related injuries and conditions.
As well as one-on-one appointments, the team also provide a range of group fitness classes at select centres including:
• Strong and Steady (supports cardiovascular, metabolic and pulmonary conditions)
• Progressive Rehab (supports musculoskeletal and neurological conditions)
• Functional Fitness (group circuit class for everyday movement)
• Strength Fundamentals (builds foundations of strength from the ground up)
• Pilates (both mat work and reformer to support core stability and controlled movement)
• Hydrotherapy (low-impact exercise for pain relief and mobility)
Mates4Mates also has appointments available with mental health clinicians including psychologists, counsellors and social workers, either in person at a centre or via telehealth, to help you manage your mental health, wellbeing and improve your quality of life.
From there, a treatment plan will be discussed, which may include one-on-one appointments, a gym program, home exercise programs and other programs such as hydrotherapy.
If you’re unsure how to get started or are looking for more education, simply reach out to the Mates4Mates physical rehabilitation team, who are here to guide you through your recovery journey.
To find out more about how Mates4Mates can help support you, reach out on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat.
Continuing a legacy: The story of Nebo Citizens’ Auxiliary
When Nebo RSL Sub Branch had to close in 2012, lifelong friends Ruth Bethel and Wayne Hungerford knew they couldn’t let its legacy end there. Instead, they rallied their community to help found the Nebo Citizens’ Auxiliary, part of RSL Central Queensland District.
Annéka
Salvat
From Sub Branch to Citizens’ Auxiliary
It all began with WWII veteran Bill Bruce. Bill had been a member of Nebo RSL Sub Branch for almost 60 years and was now the last returned serviceman in town. Despite his best efforts to keep the Sub Branch going, dwindling membership numbers forced him to make a difficult decision and at the age of 95, he agreed to formally close the Sub Branch in 2012.
In its place the Nebo Citizens’ Auxiliary was established – allowing community members, including Ruth Bethel and Wayne Hungerford, to continue his legacy of serving the rural central Queensland town they call home.
“Bill was concerned about what would happen if there was no longer an RSL Sub Branch in Nebo,” Ruth said. “He raised his concerns with RSL Central Queensland District and State Branch, we had a meeting and everyone thought it was a great idea to start the Auxiliary.”
“We needed a President, and someone said I seemed to have a bit to say, and that’s how I became President for the first year,” Wayne said.
Ruth comes from a long line of Nebo locals with military ties; many uncles, great-uncles, cousins and even an aunt served during both World Wars, and her mum and Bill Bruce were cousins. So, as Bill’s age began to take a toll, the local community came together to ensure his legacy continued.
“A lot of the locals were interested [in volunteering] as most of them have family members on our honour boards,” Ruth said.
“Bill was the main driving factor, but we were all keen to do something for the RSL and step up.”
Photographs from the past
For the Nebo community, it isn’t just about ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. Since 2012, Ruth has led a dedicated photography project; her mission – to find a uniformed photo of each person listed on their memorial board to display alongside their name, rank and achievements.
“It started when someone put up a photo of their father in uniform after he passed away and then other families started to do the same. It looked a bit
mismatched with all the different frames and sizes, so we decided to start over and do it properly,” Ruth says.
Finding the right photos hasn’t been an easy task. Ruth has had to track down families who’ve left the area and has spent many hours visiting the Australian War Memorial in an effort to properly memorialise all the WWI and WWII veterans from the area.
Of the 90 names on the memorial boards, they only have 20 left to go, mainly from WWI.
Ruth has been the driving force behind the project for over a decade, but with the finish line in sight, her and her small group of volunteers have no plans to stop now.
“I also want to add those who’ve served since in conflicts like Vietnam and Afghanistan, because we can’t forget them either. It’s up to us to keep their stories alive,” Ruth says.
Volunteering into the future
The photo wall isn’t the only project the Auxiliary has on the go. Wayne recruited his sister to help digitise
every record from both the Sub Branch and the Citizens’ Auxiliary – a process that took several months.
These projects highlight just how important it is to have a team of volunteers.
“It’s not just one person, it’s a whole community,” Wayne said.
“We’ve got a brilliant little committee but it’s the community rallying together that makes everything happen,” Ruth agreed.
Over the years, they have obtained four Lone Pine seedlings, which are now spread out at schools across the District; updated the technology and gazebo used for commemorations; and are planning to create a memorial outside the hall, as well as secure funding for a bronze statue.
Despite being volunteers for decades, Ruth and Wayne’s shared passion for supporting the community has not faded.
“Volunteering isn’t just one thing,” Ruth said “Everyone’s got their strengths, so whatever yours is, there’s a space for you.”
ABOVE: Lifelong friends Wayne Hungerford and Ruth Bethel rallied their community to help establish the Nebo Citizens’ Auxiliary. RIGHT: The honour wall inside Nebo Memorial Hall.
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Vietnam veteran honours canine comrades
For veteran Ian Hall OAM, the tracker dogs he served with in Vietnam were more than military assets – they were trusted partners whose instincts and loyalty saved lives and forged a bond that endures decades on.
Belinda Crossman
WHENEVER
animals have been by their side.
Australians have gone to war,
From the horses that bore ANZAC soldiers into battle, to the pigeons that carried life-saving messages through both World Wars, animals have provided our forces with invaluable support, protection and morale.
Their service and sacrifices are commemorated every year on 24 February, the National Day for War Animals.
That day means “a hell of a lot” to Vietnam veteran Ian Hall OAM.
A Life Member of Maleny RSL Sub Branch and former RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District President, Ian did two tours of Vietnam – the second (1968-69) as a tracking team commander, visual tracker and dog handler.
Led by tracker dogs, Australian Army tracking teams were crucial in locating enemies and preventing ambushes.
“The dogs were there to help us do our job: to protect members of our team and our battalion, and
anybody else who worked with us,” Ian says.
“They saved numerous, numerous lives.”
“They were like our brothers” Ian’s team’s dogs were Milo and Caesar – two of 11 black Labrador-Australian working dog crosses deployed with the Australian Task Force.
INSET: RSL Queensland Life Member Ian Hall OAM served in the Australian Army from 1964 to 1970, including two tours of Vietnam. He is highly involved with the Australian Army Trackers and War Dogs Association.
Tracker dog Milo in Vietnam in 1970. Image: the Australian War Memorial.
Though chiefly trained to track down enemies and their hideouts, Milo and Caesar became invaluable in other ways – alerting their teams to food caches and booby traps with their “tremendous” senses of smell.
“One of those dogs saved a handler’s life by detecting a booby trap. He stopped at that booby trap and wouldn’t allow the handler to go forward,” Ian recalls.
“It was a tripwire set up on an explosive device. Had that been activated, it would’ve killed the handler and possibly a number of other persons.”
Highly intelligent, hard-working and loyal, Milo and Caesar were as valued as they were beloved by Ian’s team.
“They were real characters. One was a real larrikin and one not so much; they were different personalities altogether. They liked to play, and they also had their quiet moments,” Ian explains with affection.
“They were like our brothers. They were part of our family.”
Even now – nearly 60 years later – Ian can clearly smell the smell of a wet dog huddled against him after a day patrolling in monsoon rain.
“Because you’d spend so much time together, you understood the dog and the dog understood you. You were virtually one and the same,” he says.
“Your relationship was that close.”
All but one of the Australian tracker dogs who served in Vietnam survived. Sadly, however, none
were allowed to return home. All the surviving dogs, including Milo and Caesar, were adopted by Australian and European families living in Saigon.
A lifelong dog person, Ian has almost always had a Labrador or Australian cattle dog. Today, he has one of each.
“I really believe that’s because of my association with the dogs from the tracking team,” he says.
Recognising service dogs’ legacy
Through his work with the Australian Army Trackers and War Dogs Association, Ian has fought hard to increase recognition of military and protective service dogs.
The Association struck the first dog service medals recognised by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Now, the ADF awards medals to dogs that go on operational service.
“Service dogs perform a tremendous role. They are an asset, because nothing can really take their place,” Ian says.
“The dog is there as your best friend, and he’ll do whatever he can to ensure that you stay safe and your wellbeing is looked after.”
Ian is forever grateful to Milo and Caesar. He’s living proof of their legacy.
“National Day for War Animals means a hell of a lot to me,” he says.
“When 24 February comes round every year, I think about the dogs I worked with in Vietnam, what they did, and how they allowed me to come home.”
ABOVE: Tracker dog Milo leading the tracker team of 2RAR /NZ (ANZAC) on patrol from Fire Support Base Tess near Nui Dat, Vietnam, in 1970. Image: the Australian War Memorial.
From fear to freedom
How a simple alarm is changing lives
When veteran Marjorie Earl received her RSL Queenslandfunded fall alarm, she regained more than safety; she regained her freedom. Thanks to a growing program supporting more than 250 veterans across Queensland, those at risk of falls can now live with confidence, connection and peace of mind.
Annéka Salvat
UNTIL
Marjorie Earl received her mobile fall alarm, she was terrified of falling if she needed to get up in the night.
“Two of my friends have fallen and been unable to get help for hours so I was scared the same thing would happen to me, especially as I have a dodgy ankle and vertigo,” she says.
RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District started equipping veterans and their family members with fall alarms in 2012. That has now expanded to support more than 250 people across eight RSL Districts in Queensland, ensuring that those in need have easy, hands-free access to help if a fall should happen.
Marjorie served in the Australian Army Reserves attached to Headquarters, 11 Battalion in Townsville – first as a Steward and then as a Clerk. Today, she is an active member of Cairns and District Ex-Servicewomen RSL Sub Branch, part of RSL Far Northern District.
At first, Marjorie wasn’t happy about receiving her alarm. She had received hearing aids around the same time and whilst she knew she needed both aids, she didn’t like it.
“But then I realised the alarm, the hearing aids and the walking aids I also use extend my useful life,” Marjorie says.
“They all allow me to continue doing my voluntary work, socialise and go on holidays with my family.”
That voluntary work includes being a local historian with a focus on the history of local veterans.
“It’s really surprised me how many people are interested in the research I do. I seem to have become something of a micro-influencer!”
Being able to devote more time to research and her RSL role is just one of the ways in which Marjorie’s alarm has changed her life.
“I don’t waste energy worrying about falling over now. I can just get on with living my life.”
Other RSL Queensland Districts have also gotten on board with providing fall alarms to their members. RSL Moreton District Executive Support Officer Catherine Akers says using RSL Queensland’s Charitable Objects Fund to ensure those like Marjorie are safe is an easy decision.
“Without these alarms, some people are so scared of falling and not being found that they find it hard to leave their home and worry all the time,” she explains. “These alarms give them their freedom back.
“It’s a very quick process. Once the application is approved by the District, we order it straight away. There’s no waitlist or anything like that.”
The cost of each alarm is paid for by RSL Queensland’s Charitable Objects Fund and its ongoing $90 yearly subscription is footed by either the Sub Branch or the individual, making the cost far more accessible for those doing it tough.
Marjorie says her entire family is very grateful to RSL Queensland and RSL Far Northern District for funding the cost of the alarm.
“It’s not something I would have been able to afford but it gives my children such peace of mind – knowing that if anything happened, I’d get help quickly,” she says.
Each alarm can be pre-programmed with up to six contact numbers, and Catherine says that they make sure to include Triple Zero (000) as the last number on each device.
“We ask each person which numbers they want included, but we always include Triple Zero as the last number just in case no one else is able to pick up, so help is always available.”
That reassurance helps not only Marjorie, but also her daughter.
“My daughter takes her role as a contact very seriously,” Marjorie says.
“I know she appreciates being able to check in with me immediately if she does get an alert and that even if she is unable to pick up, help is on its way.”
How can your Sub Branch help you?
Do you, or someone you know in the veteran community, need support? Learn how your local RSL Sub Branch or District can help at rslqld.org/get-involved/rsl-districts-and-sub-branches
Congratulations to Kristian* from Sydney’s Northern Beaches – winner of Dream Home Art Union Draw 430: A $13.9 million Happy Noosa New Year!
A $13.9 million win means Kristian started 2026 in spectacular style! As the proud holder of Ticket 11893786 in Dream Home Art Union Draw 430, Kristian was overjoyed when we called to deliver the life-changing news that he is now the owner of the stunning Sunshine Beach residence ‘Maslina’.
Perched above the ocean, with sweeping Pacific views, this bold, elegant home feels more like a wellness resort than a house, designed for a life where health, happiness and relaxation come first. With $250,000 in gold included, Kristian was able to celebrate the new year with freedom, luxury and endless possibilities.
A new year to remember
Imagine ringing in the New Year in your new dream home: hosting a sunrise breakfast on the terrace, planning a family barbecue or enjoying a wholeof-house party with friends and loved ones. With multiple terraces, expansive living areas and a private lift, there’s space for every celebration imaginable. From sun-drenched mornings to starlit evenings, every moment at ‘Maslina’ becomes extraordinary.
Kristian can truly start the year with the ultimate gift: a home full of joy, breathtaking views and unforgettable memories.
Now comes the fun decision: will Kristian move in and make Sunshine Beach home, or perhaps sell and enjoy a new level of financial freedom? Whatever he decides, one thing is certain – a happy, golden future lies ahead.
“I am stunned. I have never won anything in my life – not even a meat tray. I never expect to win, but before I go to sleep, I like to think about what I would do if I won and who I would give it to,” Kristian says.
“There are so many wonderful things I can do to help people with a win like this. It’s going to be so much fun.”
As an $80 ticket book buyer, Kristian also wins a bonus $80,000 in gold.
Congratulations, Kristian, we wish you all the very best for the future ahead in your stunning new Sunshine Beach home.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports Dream Home Art Union. Each ticket sold supports veterans and families.
*Name changed for privacy reasons.
Thousands run, walk and raise for those who serve
Thousands of people pounded the pavement in Brisbane and Townsville to show their support for the service and rescue community as part of Run Army 2026.
MOREthan 9,000 people woke up early on 29 March to participate in Brisbane, with an iconic route that took in South Bank and the city. Meanwhile, 3,000 took part in Townsville on 19 April and others were involved virtually.
Proudly presented by RSL Queensland, Run Army is a fun run with a purpose. Participants are encouraged to run, walk or raise funds in support of our Defence, veteran and first responder communities – making it a unique and social way to give back while boosting physical and mental wellbeing.
Funds raised are distributed across a range of worthy organisations, including Legacy, Queensland Police Legacy, The Firefighter Cancer Foundation, QAS Legacy, The SES Gift Fund and The Surf Life Saving Foundation.
Thank you to everyone who participated, fundraised or cheered from the sidelines – your support makes a real difference to those who have served and continue to serve our community.
Run Army is a fun run for all ages.
Runners cross the Story Bridge in Brisbane.
There were a total of 3,000 runners in Townsville.
Running for a reason
Matt Dykes wears many hats: Army veteran, Mapleton RSL Sub Branch President, Kureelpa Rural Fire Brigade firefighter and Run Army supporter.
Camella Brightman
Dedicated to community service
Matt’s rural firefighting career began in the late 1990s. After a 16-year break to serve in the Australian Army as a Royal Australian Engineer (RAE), he returned to the Kureelpa Rural Fire Brigade following his transfer to the Inactive Army Reserves in 2022.
“We respond to fire calls throughout the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland area, and even deploy to Western Queensland. Some of our members went to the United States last year,” Matt shares.
Rural firefighting isn’t just about putting out bushfires. It’s about prevention, education and hazard
reduction alongside national parks and council.
For Matt, the mission to keep his community safe mirrors the values he learned in the Defence Force.
“Veterans are often a good fit for emergency responders due to their military experience,” he says.
“It provides a community for veterans similar to the camaraderie we had in the military, which can help with mental health issues and social connectedness. So, the benefit goes both ways.”
Why Run Army matters
With a clear connection between his time in the Army and his work as a first responder, Matt is a proud supporter of Run Army, an annual fun run presented by RSL Queensland to support Defence members, veterans, first responders and their families.
“It’s a great event. I’ve run in the past several events in Brisbane,” he shares.
Anyone can participate in Run Army to show support for our service and rescue community, with different distances on offer to either run or walk in Brisbane, Townsville or virtually.
“In the past, I have supported Legacy by fundraising for the event and our RSL community has been very supportive in providing donations,” he says.
Mapleton:
A community with heart
Alongside his commitment as a rural firefighter, Matt is proud to serve as President of Mapleton RSL Sub Branch. When the Sub Branch needed a leader, Matt stepped up temporarily, or so he thought.
“There was a gap in nominations for the job, so I agreed to stand in as temporary President until someone more suited and qualified could be found. Five years later, I’m still here.”
Mapleton, a rural town in the Sunshine Coast region, may be small, but according to Matt, it’s a community full of spirit and camaraderie that supports the RSL and the veterans who call it home.
“Although we are a small Sub Branch, the members are dedicated to ensuring its long-term presence in our community.
For veterans like Matt, it’s also an opportunity to reunite with old units.
“It’s a good chance to catch up with people I served with in the Army. My old unit 11 Squadron at 11 Engineer Regiment complete it as a stretcher carry as a team event.”
“I asked to be involved but they said they already had a dummy to carry in the stretcher, and an extra dummy was not required,” he jokes.
Jokes aside, Matt says the event is a fun way to raise funds for charity.
“We provide an avenue for social connectedness through our monthly meetings and morning teas, social events and services.
“They are a great group of people to be involved with, and I have had many great experiences with them.”
Matt is also Troop Commander of the Woombye Light Horse Historical Troop, which provides ceremonial support for the Mapleton ANZAC Day march and service and the Battle of Beersheba Day parade and service.
“We generally have about 30 horses and riders involved, making it one of the biggest Beersheba memorial parades in Australia involving horses.”
Matt, right, at Run Army with members of the 11th Combat Engineer Squadron, of the 11th Engineer Regiment.
Books making a difference
A network of free community libraries have opened the door to bibliotherapy for veterans and their families.
Annéka Salvat
WHEN
veteran Dylan Conway started Brothers and Books in 2020 – inspired by his own experience with bibliotherapy while bedridden for 14 months – he could not have anticipated the impact it would have just five years later.
Through what grew into the Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation, more than 10,000 books were donated to establish more than 134 free community libraries across Australia. Although the Foundation closed its doors in May 2026, its legacy lives on in veteran support centres, RSL Sub Branches, Queensland Police Service stations, Army Brigade headquarters, medical centres, museums and cafes that continue to house those libraries today.
These include Currumbin/Palm Beach RSL Sub Branch’s Veteran Support Centre, Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch, RSL Queensland Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Townsville and Mates4Mates Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Darwin.
More than books – a space for connection and healing
As someone who sees veterans and their families on a daily basis in her role as District Executive Support Officer at RSL Queensland’s North Queensland District Office in Townsville, Michelle Dennert is a passionate advocate for community libraries and what they offer.
Veterans visiting the office for an appointment are often surprised to find a library running on a simple ‘grab a book, leave a book’ principle.
“One veteran recently took a book while he was here for an appointment and returned
Michelle Dennert, District Executive Support Officer at RSL Queensland’s North Queensland District Office in Townsville, is a passionate advocate for community libraries.
The focus of bibliotherapy is to reduce suffering and offer calm, perspective and the inspiration to push through hard times.”
the following week with a whole stack of his own personal books to donate to our library,” Michelle says.
The Townsville collection largely focus on mental wellbeing, personal growth and life skills – titles that can help shape futures, support recovery and strengthen personal relationships. But it’s not limited to non-fiction.
“There are also stories of inspiration, overcoming hardship and perseverance, as well as service-based classics. The focus
of bibliotherapy is to reduce suffering and offer calm, perspective and the inspiration to push through hard times.”
For Sub Branches and others with regular contact with veterans, Michelle strongly encourages establishing their own library.
“It doesn’t have to take up much space – even just a couple of shelves – but it opens the door for veterans to come back without any reason other than just to chat and grab a book, which is so important.”
Mount Isa veterans revitalised through community partnership
An unexpected partnership is helping Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch foster deeper connections amongst veterans in Northern Queensland.
Annéka Salvat
BEFOREMount Isa RSL Sub Branch moved to its new location within the Irish Club, its membership had dropped to less than 50 members.
After the closure and sale of the previous Sub Branch building in 2013, Sub Branch members relied on the support of the Buffs Club, Leichhardt Services Bowls Club and the Irish Club to ensure they could continue their Sub Branch activities in the local community, but that has changed since the opening of the new RSL space inside the Mount Isa Irish Club in March 2024.
At first glance, many wouldn’t think of Mount Isa as having a large veteran community. The mining town is known for its large number of fly-in fly-out workers and backpacking community, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
“We do have a lot of ex-Defence members here in Mount Isa,” Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch Treasurer Darrell Saddington says.
“Getting current serving Defence members to sign up is something we’re working on. We’re now able to get out into the community, talk to Defence and ex-Defence members, and get them to sign up.”
This proactive approach – which includes using social media, setting up stalls at local shopping
centres, going to town functions and visiting schools –led to a membership increase of more than 50%, with the number of members now standing at 116.
For Darrell and his fellow members, however, it isn’t just about the numbers.
“Our members are the lifeblood of the RSL and our Sub Branch. Without them, we can’t keep the Sub Branch open,” Darrell explains.
“It’s so important that the younger ones, the veterans coming back now, know what services are available to them – mental health, homelessness and financial assistance. RSL Queensland is for them as well.”
It takes a village
The Irish Club has been incredibly supportive of the Sub Branch, providing the new space free of charge. The space not only includes the Bill Hilton Room but also a storage space, courtyard and office. It has also allowed the Sub Branch to start establishing a regular roster of events outside of ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day to foster mateship within the veteran community.
“We’re trying to hold regular functions on top of our members’ morning tea on Tuesday and member meetings,” Darrell says.
“That companionship means so much to me and a lot of other veterans. It means we get out of the house and also get to help others.”
Darrell with RAAF veteran Peter Roberts, who serves on Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch’s welfare committee.
“We generally try and have a function once a month on a Friday or Saturday, whether it’s a pizza night or a trivia night or even a Halloween evening for the kids.”
That community spirit also extends outside of the Sub Branch.
“We are also developing functions outside of the Sub Branch, going to the Bowls Club or the cinema –
Learn more
those kinds of things so we can encourage that camaraderie.”
A space for connection
Former RAAF technician, Peter Roberts, says that the camaraderie is a big part of why he joined the RSL in 1994 and continues to be a member, today serving on the Sub Branch’s welfare committee.
“It’s a place to get together. Our Tuesday morning breakfast started out as just two of us but now it’s usually between 12 and 15 every week,” he says.
“I keep in touch with people from other RSL Sub Branches too. That companionship means so much to me and a lot of other veterans. It means we get out of the house and also get to help others.”
Mount Isa Irish Association General Manager, Bernard Gillick, couldn’t agree more.
“The RSL is a service that can’t be replicated by anything else. It’s important to us that those who’ve served our country have a space where they can come together whenever they wish.”
The camaraderie that comes from being a Sub Branch member is what drives Darrell.
“I look at how we can help those who need our assistance – whether that be with welfare, homelessness or financial aid. As a veteran, I think it’s important that I give back to the RSL and help those in need.”
GET INVOLVED
RSL Sub Branches and Auxiliaries offer a number of ways to connect with and make a difference in your community. Learn more about how you can get involved at rslqld.org/get-involved
RIGHT: Mount Isa
RSL Sub Branch Treasurer Darrell Saddington, left, with Mount Isa Irish Association General Manager, Bernard Gillick, who believes in the importance of the RSL.
BELOW: Sub Branch members have found a permanent home at the Irish Club.
Holding the home front
A powerful tribute to the unseen service of veteran families, the Recognising Families Sculpture honours the love, resilience and quiet sacrifices that sustain those who serve – and the homes they leave behind.
Recognising Families Sculpture embodies the enduring strength of all who persevere under the weight of absence. The families, parents, partners and children who serve without salute, standing resolutely beside their loved
When their veteran steps up, so too do their families in the love they show, the support they give, the hope they hold, and the quiet sacrifice they make
A sculpture to families at the Australian War Memorial would finally give form to their enduring resolve and love for their veteran. The sculpture is proudly supported by the Australian War Memorial, RSL Queensland and Australian War Widows.
The idea began with a deeply personal moment in 2015, when a theatre performance prompted a serving soldier to leave mid-show and embrace his wife –sparking a mission to recognise the often-unseen
“It reminded me of the struggles, the strength, the dignity, the unspoken concerns and the private tears of thousands of families of veterans… and of my own wife,” says RSL Queensland State President Major
THE STORIES
The Burns family
An Army veteran of both the battles at Long Tan in 1966 and Fire Support Base Coral in 1968, John Burns says he found his motivation to survive in the regular letters he received from his sweetheart Valmai, back home in Queensland.
“It was great when you’d see the Caribou coming in. And you knew, that’s the mail plane,” he reminisces. “I’d just get the feeling that there was going to be a letter from her on it. So, the old spirits would go up.”
John and Val were married within days of him returning from his second tour.
“I was meant to come home and marry the love of my life and have two great kids. And now I’ve got four great grandchildren. I couldn’t wish for a better mob than what I’ve got,” he says.
His 23-year military career took John and his family all over Australia and frequent Army exercises meant the separations continued.
“I really appreciated all the work Val did to keep the home fires burning when I wasn’t there,” John says, “and she never really complained at all.”
As
a leader, Annie tries to pass that acknowledgement of family onto her team by reminding them to pause, look behind them and recognise the people who hold everything together for them.”
The Dufficy family
A strong military tradition runs in Annie Schwartz’s family, with her grandfather serving with the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion and her father in the 2nd/4th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2/4 RAR).
While serving in her early years, Annie welcomed her son into the world. He grew up with her in
If you can, please donate today
Donors will be acknowledged on a dedicated webpage and supporters can subscribe to receive project updates.
THE STORIES
uniform, and even as a young child, his strength and resilience during the times she was away helped carry her through the hardest and loneliest days.
“On deployment, my son and I would sing together, read storybooks and try to squeeze as much love as we could through a screen,” Annie says, with her wider family and community – “a remarkable village” –helping to take care of him when she couldn’t be there.
As a leader, Annie tries to pass that acknowledgement of family onto her team by reminding them to pause, look behind them and recognise the people who hold everything together for them.
And to her son, Annie wants to say, “thank you” for embracing a life he didn’t choose.
“Thank you for growing up with so much strength, patience and love while your mum was serving.”
The Shingles family
A third-generation veteran, with a son now continuing the tradition as a serviceman in the Navy,
Nathan Shingles remembers how his sister would send handwritten letters to him while he was out at sea.
“The military can take you far from home for long periods, but the strength and stability of family gives you something to anchor yourself to,” Nathan reflects, noting that the support of his family, particularly his father who is a Vietnam veteran, meant everything to him.
“Like many service families, the people at home often carry the heaviest burden,” Nathan remembers, with the small moments of connection through letters, phone calls or the occasional leave day helping to keep morale high, particularly during the toughest times.
Since leaving the military, Nathan continues to recognise how behind every person in uniform is a family making sacrifices too. Nathan now also provides his son with the same steadfast support his father gave him during his military service, continuing a legacy of family strength across generations.
Our families serve too.
In the space between pride and regret, somewhere amid hope and fear, she sits. She sits at a table with two chairs left waiting. One for her daughter she now forever embraces. One for her husband serving a country in need. No fanfare follows her footsteps. No medals glint on her chest. But make no mistake, she’s serving too. Not in battlefields or in barracks, but in sleepless nights and soul-crushing goodbyes, in birthdays missed and meals not shared, waiting for their return.
This is her post. And though no trumpet may sound it, she, like so many others, has never stood down. They don’t wear a uniform, they’ve never held a rifle, but they’ve been there since the day their heart’s companion left. They didn’t sign a paper, they didn’t raise their hand, yet when their loved one was called, they opened the door. And when they left, no tear was shed – not where the world could see.
Because strength isn’t always loud. They kept the house warm, the letters flowing, and the lights on, even when the power within seemed to dim. They remember the laughter and the weight of heads on shoulders, before their partner carried the weight of a nation.
And still, they set the table for a return home. Because what else are they to do with all that love? The chairs beside them are not empty. They’re full of hope. Symbols of a promise, of belief. Those who serve in uniform deserve our eternal thanks. That is without dispute.
But what of the mothers who stayed at home, the fathers who sorted school drop offs, the sisters and brothers who held the family together with nothing but memory and mettle, the children who had to grow up faster than most? What of the ones who serve without being seen or saluted? This is for them. Because for every uniform worn in service is another life holding the weight of absence, steadfastly, and without recognition… until now.
A dedicated committee has been working towards creating meaningful acknowledgement for families of veterans. A site is now secured at the Australian War Memorial. An artist has been commissioned. And with your support, we can finally build the Recognising Families Sculpture – an enduring tribute to the unseen side of service.
Visit recognisingfamilies.org.au to discover more and, if you can, please donate today.
RSL Queensland is collecting funds for the construction and installation of the Recognising Families Sculpture at the Australian War Memorial. All money raised will be donated to the Australian War Memorial, which will be responsible for completing the works.
RSL Queensland is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. ABN 79 902 601 713
Remembering Brigadier George ‘Warry’ Mansford AM
RSL Queensland mourns the loss of Cairns RSL Sub Branch member Brigadier George ‘Warry’ Mansford AM, who passed away on 19 February 2026 at the age of 91.
Adecorated soldier, poet and author, Brigadier Mansford (Ret.) left a legacy that stretched beyond his four decades of service. His works include The Mad Galahs – an historical account of Australian infantrymen at war – and Junior Leadership on the Battlefield reflecting a commitment to the development of those who served alongside him.
George was born in Guildford, Western Australia, and enlisted in 1951. His service took him across the world: to Korea with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; to the Malayan Emergency with the 2nd Battalion from 1955 to 1957, and again from 1959 to 1961; and subsequently to the Thai border, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. Commissioned from the ranks in 1964, he served with distinction until his retirement in 1990.
Among his contributions was the founding of the Army’s Jungle Training Centre at Tully in Queensland in 1980, where his commitment to realism and discipline is widely credited with saving the lives of countless Australian soldiers. He also served as Honorary Colonel of the 51st Battalion, The Far North Queensland Regiment. In 1996, he was named Cairns Citizen of the Year, in recognition of his dedication to the region.
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM remembered George as “a beloved leader, a talented trainer and a tough soldier”.
RSL Queensland extends its condolences to George’s family, friends, fellow Sub Branch members and all those who served alongside him.
The oath to serve your country as a soldier did not include a contract for normal luxuries and comforts enjoyed within our society. On the contrary it implied hardships, loyalty and devotion to duty regardless of your rank. The battle school is here to remind you of that oath ...
Department of Defence
BRIG George Mansford’s (Ret.) oath of service is proudly on display at the Jungle Training Wing. The quote is known throughout the Australian Army and battle schools around the world.
01
Allied Air Force personnel remembered
To coincide with the 105th birthday of the Royal Australian Air Force (31 March), a memorial service was held at the Air Force Memorial in Queens Gardens, George St, Brisbane on 29 March. Hosted by the AFC and RAAF Association Queensland Division, the service also marked the 30th anniversary of the memorial’s dedication on 2 May 1996. Pictured laying a wreath is AFC and RAAF Association Queensland Division President GPCPT John Bushell (Retd).
02
Honouring service beyond the battlefield
On 24 February, Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch organised a small service to mark National Day for War Animals, recognising those who served alongside our members. Explosive detection dogs, from left, Uzi and Bandit attended as special guests with handlers SPR Michael Fredericks and CPL Michael Sutherland.
03
Preserving our legacy through the archive project
The RSL Queensland archive project is safeguarding more than a century of the League’s history, with records now being transferred to the John Oxley Special Collections at the State Library of Queensland. Contributions from Ipswich RSL Sub Branch and Moreton District have already been received, with more to follow, ensuring this important history is preserved for generations to come. Ipswich RSL Sub Branch President Paul Rogers, left, is pictured with Vice President David Wyatt.
04
‘The Digger’ stands proud in ANZAC Park
A new 3D statue, ‘The Digger’, has been installed in ANZAC Park, commissioned by Biloela RSL Sub Branch member Andrew Boyd. Crafted by Callide Manufacturing Company and installed by Will Tucker and CQ Fencing Developers, the project reflects strong community support. Sincere thanks to all involved in bringing it to life.
05
A fresh look for a club favourite
Blackbutt RSL Sub Branch proudly showcases the RSL crest on its refurbished pool table. Funded through member raffles, the upgrade has transformed a central club feature, with volunteers and patrons continuing to drive future improvements.
01
Veterans honoured at Farnorha Cairns RSL Sub Branch supported Farnorha War Veterans Home with a new commemorative plaque and revitalised reflection space ahead of ANZAC Day, ensuring residents are honoured and remembered. Resident Nelly Macarbe says the space offers a beautiful place to reflect on service and sacrifice.
02
By Far Kaymakchalan resonates nationwide
The national screening of ‘By Far Kaymakchalan’ drew strong attendance across Australia, including in Brisbane. The film explores the role of Australian and New Zealand volunteers who served alongside Serbian forces in WWI. Relatives of featured Anzacs attended, including Helen Malone. Pictured, from left, Major General Professor John Pearn AO, Mirjana Martinovic, Helen Malone, Bojan Pajic and Nada Martinovic.
03
Carol leads Bribie Island with quiet strength Volunteers are the backbone of the League and Bribie Island RSL Sub Branch Secretary George Franklin has paid tribute to President Carol Steley, who has led since August 2023. He describes a quiet strength forged in difficult moments. A former Royal Australian Air Force member, Carol embodies mateship through action.
Drawing on 27 years with Girl Guides, she champions young people as custodians
of veterans’ stories. Her steady, thoughtful leadership fosters connection and ensures remembrance is lived, creating a community where those who served are honoured with dignity, respect and genuine care.
04
Aussie pride fostered at local primary school
Clifton RSL Sub Branch delivered a new flagpole and Australian flag to St Francis de Sales School, thanks to local support and member effort. Installed and raised on Australia Day, the project now sees students proudly continuing the tradition each school day, honouring national pride and community spirit.
05
30-year RSL membership certificate
Forest Lake and District RSL Sub Branch member Al Langley was presented with his 30-year RSL membership certificate by President Shaun Richards CSM.
06
Clifton RSL Sub Branch honoured with Australia Day award
Clifton RSL Sub Branch was proudly awarded the Clifton Cultural Award at this year’s Australia Day celebrations, recognising its strong support of community wellbeing and positive leadership.
01
Sub Branch members and their assistance dogs take part in Run Army
Forest Lake and District RSL Sub Branch was proudly represented at the recent Run Army event in Brisbane, with 13 members taking part. Pictured are Brian Thorburn with Sirena, Lindsay Crouch with Digger and Michelle Dunn with Raine, showcasing their assistance dogs in RSL jackets.
02
Forest Lake assistance dogs shine at Purple Poppy Day
Forest Lake and District RSL Sub Branch assistance dogs were proudly represented at Goodna RSL Sub Branch’s Purple Poppy Day on 24 February. Around 150 attendees, including RSPCA, Queensland Police Service, veterans and community members, gathered to honour the service and sacrifice of animals in war.
03
75 years of National Service commemorated
The 75th anniversary of National Service in Australia was marked at the National Servicemen’s Association Museum precinct, where a memorial plaque was unveiled by Jeannette Young. Veterans, including members of Forest Lake and District RSL Sub Branch, attended the commemorative event.
04
WWII veteran celebrates 104th birthday
Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch member Daisy McPaul celebrated her 104th birthday on 1 February 2026. Daisy served in the Australian Army during World War II as a Sapper, undertaking clerical and switchboard operator duties in the Brisbane area.
Daisy is pictured receiving a gift and card from Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch members, presented by President Tim McCrorey, with Secretary Mike Gowdie looking on, at her home in Toowoomba, where she continues to live with her daughter Coralie Pitt.
05
A vocation for the sea and setting history right Madeline Blyth (97) is pictured with Tony Jones, Warden of St Mary’s Church, Kangaroo Point. A regular visitor, Madeline has returned to share her father’s story
A Vocation for the Sea and honour her brother, SBLT Eagar, lost aboard HMAS Sydney II. She continues efforts to correct a memorial spelling error, ensuring his name and service are properly recognised while preserving strong family and naval ties.
06
National Day for War Animals in Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay RSL Sub Branch marked National Day for War Animals with a strong community turnout in Freedom Park, featuring horses from Stable Mind Equine Assisted Therapy, Light Horse troops from Hervey Bay and Gympie, and locals with their decorated animals. Councillor Denis Chapman laid a wreath on horseback, with thanks to Rev’d Jeff Jarvis B.Ed. and the 9th Battalion Ceremonial Guard.
01
Long Tan re-examined Veteran and author Kevin O’Brien, centre, is pictured at the recent launch of his book Long Tan: Myths, Memories and Reality at the United Service Club of Queensland. He is joined by fellow 6RAR veterans from the Vietnam War, from left, Robert Dean (Mortar Platoon), John Robbins (11 Platoon, D Company), Terry Burstall (12 Platoon) and Graham Gordon (Anti-Tank Platoon).
The book revisits the iconic Battle of Long Tan, presenting a detailed, research-based account that separates historical fact from the myths and narratives that have shaped public understanding of the battle.
02
Redlands pays tribute to war animals
Redlands RSL Sub Branch marked National Day for War Animals on 24 February with a wreath laying service attended by the Australian Army Veterinary Corps (AAVC) Commemorative Service Troop Queensland Inc. Pictured at the War Animals Memorial are Trish Craig (AAVC), Rob Wilson (Redlands RSL Sub Branch President), John Bickley (AAVC) and Michael MacDonnell (Redlands RSL Sub Branch Secretary).
03
Dalveen honours the fallen with new memorial The Dalveen community in the Southern Downs recently unveiled a new WWI Honour Board and a “virtual memorial” recognising 41 local men.
Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch President Martin Corbit and Warwick military historian Deborah Wheeler (pictured) attended the event, which acknowledged 19 men
whose names were missed more than a century ago. Digital profiles now preserve the stories of all 41 men listed on the Honour Boards.
04
Unsung Heroes memorial unveiled A memorial honouring
National Servicemen who served between 1965 and 1972 was unveiled in Wacol by the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM. Forest Lake RSL Sub Branch, located on the Wacol National Servicemen’s Army Precinct,
provided ceremonial support. State President of the National Servicemen Association (Queensland) Tony Stevenson OAM FNSA says the memorial brought closure for some families. “This included the last name on the memorial, Peter John Wruck. His niece Leesa Davis and her husband Ian attended the ceremony, and it brought them to tears knowing his service will never be forgotten.”
05
Honouring the engineers of the ANZAC story
Toowong RSL Sub Branch member LTCOL George Hulse OAM (Retd) with The First ANZACs, co-authored with Jimmy Thomson. The book shines a light on the vital yet often overlooked role of Australian and New Zealand combat engineers – or Sappers – in World War I. Inspired by their lack of recognition in official histories, the book captures the extraordinary contributions of these soldiers, from Gallipoli to the Western Front. See pages 94-95 for a chance to win a copy of the book.
06
Australia Day medal at Sunnybank
Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch Administration Officer and Honorary Secretary Kirsty Claassen is pictured with President Simon Smith receiving a 2026 Australia Day Medallion. Balancing both roles, she contributes well beyond her part-time hours, supporting 240 members with care and diligence, leading VP80 planning efforts, and bringing valuable business experience to the Sub Branch and wider community.
40th anniversary reunion – General Entry (GE27)
A 40th anniversary reunion for General Entry (GE27) Royal Australian Navy will be held at HMAS Moreton on Friday 18 September 2026, with social events on 19 and 20 September. For more information, contact Dallas Hemphill via dallas.hemphill@hotmail.co.uk or 0402 156 047.
Seeking former B Coy 4 RAR/NZ members
Chris Burgess JP (Qual) is working to re-establish contact with former members of B Company, 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion who served in South Vietnam in 1971, ahead of a reunion at Tweed Heads this September.
The reunion will bring together members from both tours, and organisers are particularly hoping to reconnect with: 1737362 Pte J.T. Coyne, 3798514 Pte R.W. Gair, 2795814 Pte P. Nicholson, and the family of 56302 Pte B.R. (Mick) Munday.
If you have any information or can assist, Chris can be contacted at chrisburgess01@hotmail.com or on 0409 219 806.
HQ 1ATF Association reunion reminder
The HQ 1ATF Association reunion will be held at Tiona Holiday Park from 16-20 November 2026, marking 60 years since the first march into Nui Dat. For details, contact John Verhelst via 0437 212 121, jeverhelst@gmail.com or hq1atf.org
9-11 OCT 2026 3-5 Dec 2026 18 Sept 2026
The Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) Reunion will be held at Kedron Wavell RSL on 9-11 October 2026. For more information, contact Bill Abboud via billabboud47@gmail.com or 0412 088 349.
The ‘A’ Battery, Royal Australian Artillery rescheduled its 155th birthday and reunion activities in Brisbane to 3-5 December 2026. For all inquiries, contact event coordinator Paul Johnston via a155@abtyassn.org.au
Seeking family of Albert Eric Johnson
Hervey Bay RSL Sub Branch is seeking to locate the family of Albert Eric Johnson QX46949 (Q266858), who was born in Wondai, Queensland on 19 August 1917. He enlisted on 17 October 1940 and was discharged on 3 June 1946, with Annie Johnson listed as his next of kin.
A WWII medal rack consisting of five medals was found at the Riverview Dump near Goodna around six years ago, and efforts are underway to return it to his family. If you can assist, please contact Committee Member Simon Morley at the Sub Branch on 4197 7477.
Seeking missing family medals
Rebekah Riches is seeking assistance to locate her family’s missing WWI and WWII miniature medals. The WWI medals belonged to her grandfather, Kenneth Allan Corlett, and the WWII medals to her father, Leonard Riches Smith NX128236. The medals went missing in June 2025. Rebekah is hoping the medals can be recovered. If you can assist, please contact Rebekah on 0416 163 278.
Lost medals
The family of Boer War veteran Richard Walsh (Service No. A250), who served with the South African Constabulary, is seeking help to locate two missing medals – the King’s South Africa Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). His Queen’s South Africa Medal was recently recovered after more than 70 years, giving hope the remaining medals may still be out there.
With family ties to Stanthorpe, Gympie and the Moree district in NSW, anyone with information is encouraged to email Larissa via riss_89@hotmail.com
GIVEAWAYS
For your chance to win a copy of one of the books in this competition, please enter using one of the following methods:
Email your name, address and contact number (using the book title as the subject line) to editor@rslqld.org
OR
Post your name, address and contact number to [Book Title], PO Box 629, Spring Hill Qld 4004.
Competition closes 6 July 2026.
Queensland RSL News
Edition 1 2026
Inferno: Australians on the Western Front
D Turner, Aitkenvale
R Fitzpatrick, Deebing Heights
K Farrell, Maroochydore
G Elphinstone, The Dawn
The Women
L Johnson, Mount Morgan
E Ollenburg, Newport
M Strelow, Nudgee
M Harvey, Kalkie
Operation Mincemeat
D Blackwell, Eight Mile Plains
V Wing, Willowbank
A Cotton, Townsville
B Gregory, Sandstone Point
Scars of War
J Millsom, Widgee
P Harding, Gooburrum
K Straker, Maleny
K Green, Southport
* Winners’ books will be posted to the addresses supplied in the weeks following publication of the magazine.
Dogs of War
Dogs of War by Nigel Allsopp is published by Big Sky Publishing (RRP: $36.99)
From the frozen training grounds of Norway to the deserts of Afghanistan, from the jungles of East Timor to the streets of Ukraine, these remarkable dogs have served in every climate and conflict. Trained to detect explosives, track enemies, protect bases and comfort soldiers under fire, they have saved countless lives while asking for nothing in return.
These pages share the real accounts of soldiers and handlers who trusted their lives to a dog – rescue dogs turned warriors, mascots who became comrades, and special operations canines who leapt into danger without hesitation. What sets these stories apart is not only the dogs’ loyalty and courage, but also the unbreakable bonds they forged with their human partners – bonds that endured long after the battle ended.
Dogs of War is a tribute to the courage, sacrifice and unwavering companionship of the four-legged diggers who carried the weight of war alongside those who led them. Royalties will be donated to The Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation.
Great Australian Odysseys
Great Australian Odysseys by Jim Haynes is published by Allen & Unwin (RRP: $34.99)
Trucks, trains, boats and planes – welcome to a treasury of unsung heroes and extraordinary journeys that have shaped Australia’s history.
From the bravery of Australia’s sailors to our great age of rail, the resilience of the truckers crossing the Nullarbor to the daring aviation pioneers who turned the skies into a new frontier, Great Australian Odysseys is a rich tapestry of adventure and ingenuity, with a good dose of Aussie laughs.
Journey through tales of hardy truckers braving isolation, mechanical mishaps and political battles. Navigate the high seas with our first submariners’ recordbreaking journeys and daring rescues of the shipwrecked and marooned. Relive the golden age of rail with evocative stories celebrating Australia’s railway heritage, from Mark Twain Down Under to Ben Chifley’s locomotive legacy. Soar through the skies with aviation legends such as Smithy, Bert Hinkler and Francis Birtles, whose courage and innovation transformed how we travel.
Of Air and Men
Of Air and Men by Damien Lay is self-published by Busybird Publishing (RRP: $32.75)
On 8 November 1935, the greatest aircraft of its time vanished into the night – and with it, two men, a legend and the truth.
Charles Kingsford Smith and his young protégé and co-pilot Tommy Pethybridge, were never seen again. What remained was silence, heartbreak and a mystery that would ripple across generations.
Decades later, while on expedition in the remote waters off Myanmar, an intrepid explorer uncovered the wreck of the Lady Southern Cross. That discovery ignited a 20-year journey to piece together what really happened, and to bring long-awaited closure to the families who endured in their absence.
Of Air and Men is a true story, epically told through the intimacy of historical fiction – where ambition and hardship, courage and vulnerability, love and loss intertwine. It is also the story of the women who bore the weight of that silence – and of a son, just shy of his third birthday when his father vanished and who, for 90 years, knew him only through the history books. Until now!
The First Anzacs
The First Anzacs by George Hulse and Jimmy Thomson is published by Allen & Unwin (RRP: $34.99)
This is the untold story of World War I Australian and New Zealand sappers – combat engineers –with extracts from their diaries. They were always in the vanguard, clearing defences, and building bridges, roads and walkways, usually under fire, for the troops who followed.
At Gallipoli, strafed by machine guns and targeted by snipers, they dug trenches and tunnels to advance on the Turkish defences. On the Western Front, they burrowed under the German lines to plant massive explosives. In Egypt they demolished a Turkish railway in a day.
From Gallipoli to the sands of the Middle East, to the bloodsoaked battlefields of France and Belgium, engineers put down their tools to also fight as combat soldiers at every major battle and campaign, often with heroic feats of astonishing courage.
Three sappers stole a giant field gun from under German noses at Amiens. Sappers were classic larrikins, indefatigably practical men who don’t take kindly to bureaucracy.
A simple saliva test that could help detect liver disease earlier
Researchers at Gallipoli Medical Research (GMR) and Griffith University are developing a world-first saliva test to detect fatty liver disease long before symptoms appear.
SAL-Check® is designed to make liver screening easier, faster and more accessible, particularly for people at higher risk, including veterans.
GMR identified the need for better liver screening in a 2021 study of 299 Vietnam veterans. The project, led by GMR and supported by RSL Queensland, compared what participants believed about their liver health to what clinical testing actually showed.
While nearly 27% of veterans reported having a liver condition, medical testing confirmed liver disorders in almost 37% of participants.
This trend is reflected in the broader community, with The Liver Foundation estimating that one in three Australian adults have fatty liver disease, while almost one billion people worldwide may be living with the condition unknowingly.
Damage can occur before symptoms appear
As liver disease often develops silently, by the time symptoms do appear, significant damage may have already occurred, including progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Today, liver cancer is the fastest rising cause of cancer death in Australia – more than doubling over the past two decades – making early detection more important than ever.
GMR Director of Research and globally recognised liver expert, Professor Darrell Crawford, says SALCheck® aims to change how liver disease is identified.
“Many people with liver disease feel completely well,” Professor Crawford says. “A simple saliva
test could help doctors detect liver damage much earlier, when there is still time to prevent serious complications and reverse damage to the liver with lifestyle changes.”
Early diagnosis can reverse the disease
If diagnosed early, fatty liver disease can often be reversed or significantly improved with diet and exercise modifications. Lifestyle changes that improve the condition include reducing body weight by seven to 10%, exercising for at least 150 minutes weekly, limiting sugar and processed foods, and avoiding alcohol.
SAL-Check® has already gained international attention, including winning the Blue-Sky Thinking Award at the 2025 Indo-Pacific Innovation Awards.
For GMR, this research represents something more than a scientific breakthrough. It reflects another way in which its veteran health research is helping to improve broader community health outcomes.
ABOVE: Professors Darrell Crawford (Gallipoli Medical Research), left, and Chamindie Punyadeera (Griffith University) with the Blue-Sky Thinking Award at the 2025 Indo Pacific Innovation Awards, awarded to SAL-Check®.
Last Post
Queensland RSL News has published this list at the request of RSL members. The publication takes no responsibility for inaccuracies outside the control of RSL Queensland. This list was correct as at 13 April 2026. Surnames flagged with an asterisk (*) have an unconfirmed date of their passing.
The list includes each member’s surname, first name, service number and Sub Branch.
AHRENS PATRICIA W42592 Ipswich
ALLEN PHILLIP 1727563 Oakey
ANDREWS BARRY R59264 Bundaberg
ARMSTRONG BARRY R59981 Wynnum
ARMSTRONG BRIAN A319485 Crows Nest
ARNEMAN KEITH 38041 Nerang
ATKINSON BARRY 129353 Herbert River
AUSTIN WILLIAM 3/3543 Caloundra
AUSTIN FREDERICK 1709768 Cairns
AXAM ROBERT 2724186 Beenleigh and District
BAHR BRENTON 4713577 Maryborough
BAILEY* RONALD 1/714750 Redlands
BALLARINO* DANTE 1/711011 Redlands
BARKER JOHN LFX797770 Hervey Bay
BARKWORTH* COLIN Atherton
BARTRIM TERRENCE N65532 Maryborough
BAXTER COLIN 31983 Bribie Island
BEADMAN IAN R62822 Hervey Bay
BEARD ROBIN 2140971 Currumbin/Palm Beach
BEER ERIN Caboolture-Morayfield and District
BENNETT CECIL A1832 Hervey Bay
BERNICKE KEVIN 317436 Oakey
BERRY NOEL VX5004722 Tweed Heads and Coolangatta
BIBBY GORDON 051700 Currumbin/Palm Beach
BINGHAM WILFRED PSMX885344 Bundaberg
BLACK RICHARD 6796NS Runaway Bay
BLAIR THOMAS 14413 Ipswich Railway
BOWEN* FRANCIS 1/728776 Gladstone
BRAMBLE BRIAN 172900 Howard District
BRAY MURRAY 044912 City-New Farm
BREWER ALLAN 1203194 Pine Rivers District
BREWER BARRY 23052318 Tweed Heads and Coolangatta
BROWN RONALD 37797 Townsville
BROWN* THOMAS 01993 Charleville
BUDDLE FREDERICK A221589 Hervey Bay
BULGER MICHAEL S118531 Maleny
BULLEID CLIVE 8534680 Gracemere and District
BULMER KEITH R59424 Currumbin/Palm Beach
BURNS GEOFFREY A32918 Ipswich
BUROW K Yarraman
BUTWELL DESMOND A17652 Hervey Bay
CHRISTENSEN BEVAN QX500663 Tweed Heads and Coolangatta
CLEAK DILWYN N58217 Sherwood-Indooroopilly
COATES* ANTHONY Toogoolawah
COLCLOUGH JOYCE F1/1521 Maroochydore
COPELAND PAUL 1/720667 Bribie Island
CORICA DENNIS 130321 Townsville
COWELL* RONALD 2/410183 Charleville
COX BRIAN A112320 Townsville
COYNE VINCENT Tewantin/Noosa
CROWLEY JOHN A116798 Kedron-Wavell
CUTLER KEVIN 1/723782 Thuringowa
DANIELS JON 157714 Townsville
DAVEY DONALD 1202271 Kingaroy/Memerambi
DAVIS GARY A123254 Ipswich
DAVY RAYMOND R36104 Currumbin/Palm Beach
DE COURCY EVAN A15616 Rockhampton
DE JONG PETER 8494285 Townsville
DEMEARY BRIAN R/59488 Bundaberg
DEWHURST RONALD 1200462 Herbert River
DICKSON PHILLIP 213907 Manly-Lota
DIECKMANN DALE 1734840 Ipswich
DILLON CHRISTOPHER A121849 Beenleigh and District
DILLON CHRISTOPHER D/JX920100 Beenleigh and District
DOUGLASS RONALD 212572 Geebung Zillmere
Bald Hills Aspley
DRUMMOND FRANK R46115 Caloundra
DURNFORD PATRICK 29618 Townsville
EARDMAN REGINALD 166386 Townsville
EAST* MAX R64661 Kedron-Wavell
EASTEN GEOFFREY 1721306 Holland Park Mt Gravatt
ELLEM MAURICE A216644 Redlands
EMERY EDWIN R59114 Tewantin/Noosa
ENDRES MAURICE 730417 Tin Can Bay
ENDRES MAURICE A19885 Tin Can Bay
ETHERINGTON* JOHN QX142989/A22684 Redlands
FAIRBAIRN MERVYN 528083 Edge Hill/Cairns West
FAULKNER ALLAN R50235 Hervey Bay
FEATHERSTONE* FRANK 36169 Redlands
FISCHER JAMES 159826/8236560 Charters Towers
FITZROY KEVIN 2730360 Redlands
FOUNTAIN KENNETH 2786627 Currumbin/Palm Beach
FRANCEY* JAMES QX501455 Kedron-Wavell
FULCHER RAYMOND 29630 Bray Park-Strathpine
FULLER JOHN R43485 Edge Hill/Cairns West
FUNK MELVYN 039857 Nerang
GALLAGHER HENRY 1/2944 Redlands
GARNER JAMES R105138 Mackay
GOFTON BRIAN 1/28633 Herbert River
GOSSIEAU* JANNEKE 37509 Tweed Heads and Coolangatta
GRAY IAN 133769 Redlands
GUNINGHAM (ENGLISH) DENISE F28187 Malanda
HALL MERVYN 180361P Kedron-Wavell
HALL* NEVILLE 3742106 Hervey Bay
HAMILTON ALAN 55103 Centenary Suburbs
HANNINGTON JOHN 4087738 Maroochydore
HARVEY ROGER 23434340 Maroochydore
HEATH KENNETH R103558 North Gold Coast
HEWSON CLIVE 2793950 Tully
HICKEY FREDERICK 215369 SherwoodIndooroopilly
HINDS DONALD 61149 Gaythorne
HUMPHRYS LESLIE A198494 Gympie
HUMPHRYS LESLIE A18494 Gympie
HYDE PETER 253409 Glasshouse Country
HYLARD RICHARD 36185 Bundaberg
INGLEDEW* RONALD R93412 Tweed Heads and Coolangatta
IVERS HENRY QX500356 Hervey Bay
JEFFERIES LAURENCE 23353150 Hervey Bay
JENVEY JOHN 235101 Kenmore/Moggill
JOHNSON FRED 173835 Sherwood-Indooroopilly
JOHNSON NEIL 2761230 Southport
JONES NORMAN 243016 Herbert River
KAVANAGH (NEE RAINBIRD) MAUREEN 115892
Bribie Island
KEAY ROLAND W80635 Hervey Bay
KEEGAN TERRY 228525 Maryborough
KELLY JAMES 1201383 Wynnum
KENDALL* GEOFFREY 43433 Kedron-Wavell
KEYS KEVIN 2700783 Ipswich Railway
KINGSTON BERNARD 1723914 Geebung Zillmere
Bald Hills Aspley
KLING GRAEME A113144 Bundaberg
KNIGHT GREGORY 1202507 Samford
KNIGHT DAVID 114010 Bribie Island
KUNDE JOHN 1722945 Kilcoy
LAHIFF* HALVEY QX30551 Killarney
LARK WILLIAM 2/2710 Helidon
LEARY HARRY 23594215 Redlands
LEDDY PETER 1732995 Kedron-Wavell
LEWIS PETER 217812 Southport
LIDDLE SUE 230284 Gemfields
LUKACZ GEORGE 1732257 Yeronga-Dutton Park
MANSFORD GEORGE 52028 Cairns
MAPSON* GARY 221592 Redlands
MARDISTE JAAK 173566 Sunnybank
MARTIN DIGBY A216960 Maroochydore
MCCONVILLE JOHN 1/708081 Bundaberg
MCCORMICK TERENCE R62383 Bribie Island
MCDANIEL DAVID 238956 Samford
MCGAUGHEY DOUGLAS 6708586 Maroochydore
MCKAVANAGH (NEE HINDE) BERIS Nerang
MCKENZIE PAUL 316727 Maryborough
MCLEAN ALEXANDER 3175932 Deception Bay
MCMILLAN WILLIAM 1729666 Toowoomba
MCMULLEN SEAN 179274 Redlands
MCNAMARA ROBERT O56165 Kedron-Wavell
MCNAUGHTON* ROBERT 27316949 Greenbank
MCRAE* ROBERT R64121 Hervey Bay
MEIKLEJOHN CATHERINE W10185 Townsville
MILLER RUSSELL 1739578 Malanda
MILLINER ARTHUR 1/710513 Caloundra
MILLS LEONARD O93712 Gladstone
MOLONY ROBERT O112878 Warwick
MONTGOMERY ROBERT 055855 SherwoodIndooroopilly
MORRIS TREVOR 22213975 Gympie
MORRISON* CLIFFORD 1/410092 Redlands
MULLER JAMES 1801881 Proserpine
MURDOCK* ROBERT R94827 SherwoodIndooroopilly
NIGHTINGALE JOHN A25624 Gympie
NORTON NOEL 38059 Townsville
O’LOUGHLIN BRIAN 43715 Mt Perry
OLSEN MELVYN A17289 Ipswich
ORME MICHAEL 14485225 Tewantin/Noosa
O’SHEA BARRY r95013 Hervey Bay
PALMER CLAUDE 14999 / 17048 Southport
PARKER* ARTHUR 13503 Warwick
PARKES KEVIN 243400 Townsville
PASCOE ALLAN 1201016 Boonah
PASSFIELD BRIAN A219718 Ipswich Railway
PAYNE ROYSTON A26697 Nerang
PEARCE PHILLIP 1/724251 / 1/56174 Bundaberg
PECK COLIN A/O26698 North Gold Coast
PENKLIS* MICHAEL 123927 Hellenic
PENSION JOHN A18969 Hervey Bay
PERKINS CHARLOTTE Cairns and District
Ex-Servicewomen
PERRY BRYAN 177158 Townsville
PHYTHIAN RAYMOND 1/717511 Kawana Waters
PILL* FREDERICK 2799815 Wynnum
PITTY COLIN 1109586 Kedron-Wavell
POMFRET GEORGE 14071744 Caloundra
PRATT ROBERT A19012 Ipswich
PRETSEL KEITH 171065 Kedron-Wavell
PRICE GEORGE 29440 Townsville
PYMAN JOHN O116087 Mudgeeraba-Robina
REGAN PHILLIP A117138 Lowood
RENNIE STANLEY A17104 Townsville
RHODEN JOHN 216498 Caboolture-Morayfield and District
RHODEN LESLEY F178361 Bribie Island
RIBES RAMON 1701705 Mossman
ROACH ALLAN 218488 Kingaroy/Memerambi
ROBERTS PETER S106787 Bundaberg
ROBINSON NEVILLE 16530 Gaythorne
ROCHE JOHN 1733169 Kedron-Wavell
ROGERS MAXWELL 36893 Hervey Bay
ROSE IAN 36746 Townsville
ROSS BRYAN 13065 Gaythorne
ROWLING IAN 216430 Kedron-Wavell
RUDLAND KEVIN 55785 Gaythorne
SCANTLEBURY WILLIAM 442471 Southport
SCHOLL RUSSELL 1105503 Kedron-Wavell
SEDL PATRICK 1725172 Caloundra
SETO LEONARD QX39496 Caloundra
SIMMONS LESLIE VX127247 Bundaberg
SMITH NEVILLE 1734352 Townsville
SOJAN ROBERT 42563 Townsville
SOLINAS LEON 143774 Wynnum
SORBELLO SALVATORE 1736981 Townsville
SPEIRS EVON W86479 Hervey Bay
STARK RONALD Q132281 Gympie
STEVENSON* DARRELL Gaythorne
STEWART ROBERT 5616NS Tamborine Mountain
STEWART CLYDE 1/711006 Herbert River
STOREY COLIN 0216050 Yeronga-Dutton Park
SULLIVAN BERNARD R111796 Woodford
SWADLING GARY 176231 Gracemere and District
SWINLEY ALEXANDER 2709390 Hervey Bay
SYKES SHANE 8231028 / 227388 Thuringowa
TAPINOS COSTAS 6036/72 Hellenic
THOMAS WILLIAM 216678 Bayside South
THOMPSON ARTHUR Q133276/QX57146 Cairns
TINSON DARREL 214628 Nanango
TOWNSLEY IAN 14039 Gaythorne
TUCKEY NOEL 2/771724 Caloundra
TWYFORD JOHN 4132627 Bribie Island
VAN ELDIK JOHANNES 18179 Mackay
VAN ROOSMALEN BILL 42747 Goodna
WALLIS* RAYMOND R52928 Gladstone
WALSH MARTIN 2/772389 Sandgate
WALSH EDNA WR2855 Redcliffe
WARNER PHILIP RA18871957 SherwoodIndooroopilly
WATTS ANDREW 232538/8244166 Bray
Park-Strathpine
WEBB CLIFFORD 313096 Gaythorne
WEST BERNARD 15688 Clermont
WHALING* BRIAN 5085NS Cairns
WHITE* MARION 100254 Redcliffe
WILKINSON ALAN 1205822 Bundaberg
WOOD IVAN 1732917 Bundaberg
ZITZELSBERGER ROBERT 38498 Bundaberg
Thank you for volunteering.
At RSL Queensland, we are fortunate to have thousands of members across the state who volunteer their time to give back in their communities, providing services and initiatives that make a vital difference to veterans and their families.
Whether you’ve served, are still serving, or simply want to give back, RSL Queensland membership connects you to a strong community built on purpose, support and mateship. Get involved and help strengthen the veteran community. LEARN MORE rslqld.org
