RSL National HQ, on Constitution Ave, Canberra, nearest the Australian Defence Force Russell Offices HQ

The Returned and Services League of Australia (often abbreviated to RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force. Image File history File links RSLbadge. ... The RSL National Headquarters is at the end of Constitution Avenue, Canberra, nearest the Russell Offices complex of the Australian Department of Defence and Australian Defence Force. ... The RSL National Headquarters is at the end of Constitution Avenue, Canberra, nearest the Russell Offices complex of the Australian Department of Defence and Australian Defence Force. ... Canberra is the capital city of Australia and, with a population of just over 323,000, is also Australias largest inland city. ... The Australian Defence Force numbers about 53,000 active duty personnel. ... The Australian Defence Force numbers about 53,000 active duty personnel. ...

It was formed as the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia in 1916, became the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmens Imperial League of Australia in 1940, and became the Returned Services League of Australia in 1965. The change to its current name was made in 1990 to reflect the organisation's concern for current as well as former servicemen and servicewomen. 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ... For the Temptations album, see 1990 (Temptations album) MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ...

Mission

The RSL's mission statement is:

To ensure that programs are in place for the well-being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and ex-service Defence Force members and their dependants; and promote Government and community awareness of the need for a secure, stable and progressive Australia.[1]

Influence

Since its formation, the organisation has been politically influential and at times highly controversial. As well as arguing for veterans' benefits, it has entered other areas of political debate. It was politically conservative, Anglophilic, and monarchist - RSL halls are one of the few places in Australia where portraits of Queen Elizabeth II are still habitually hung, and in several widely publicised cases members expressing republican views were expelled. War Veteran is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. ... Conservatism or political conservatism is any of several historically related political philosophies or political ideologies. ... Monarchism is the advocacy of the establishment, preservation, or restoration of a monarchy. ... Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), born 21 April 1926, is the Queen regnant of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and...

One of its more prominent leaders, Bruce Ruxton, was famously outspoken, criticising everything from the public acceptance of homosexuality, to Asian immigration to Australia. Many veterans from the Vietnam War found the RSL, dominated by the ranks of World War II veterans, an alien environment, and chose not to participate, but have over the past 20 years become actively involved. This may have been reflective of the status of Vietnam veterans in the 1970s and 80s. Bruce Caryle Ruxton (1926 - ) is known as the former President of the Victorian Returned and Services League and was also on its executive committee. ... Since its inception, the term homosexuality has acquired multiple meanings. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Vietnam War or Second Indochina War was a conflict between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN, or North Vietnam), allied with the National Liberation Front (NLF, or Viet Cong) against the Republic of Vietnam (RVN, or South Vietnam), and its allies—notably the United States military in support of... World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atom bomb. ...

Social aspects

RSL clubs across the country feature restaurants and bars for their members and guests, as well as extensive slot machine areas. RSLs also organise Anzac Day and Rememberence Day commemorations. Toms Diner, a restaurant in New York made familiar by Suzanne Vega and the television sitcom Seinfeld Eating Out redirects here. ... Tourists sit outside a bar in Chiang Mai, Thailand A bar is an independent business or a section of a restaurant, club or hotel (somtimes called long bars) where alcoholic beverages are sold to be drunk on the premises. ... Slot machines in the Trump Taj Mahal A slot machine (American English), poker machine (Australian English), or fruit machine (British English) is a certain type of gambling machine. ... ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Australian War Memorial, 25 April 2005, 90th anniversary Australia and New Zealand commemorate the ANZAC Day public holiday on the 25th of April every year to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), and of...

Organisation

The National Executive consists of: National President; Deputy National President; state Presidents for New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia; and the National Secretary, Treasurer, and Solicitor. The National Secretary has functional control of the National Headquarters in Canberra. Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites (Newly Risen, How Brightly You Shine) Nickname: First State, Premier State Other Australian states and territories Capital Sydney Government Governor Premier Const. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Nickname: Garden State Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Governor Premier Const. ... Motto: Pro Rege, Lege et Grege (For the Queen, the Law and the People) Nickname: (none) Other Australian states and territories Capital Canberra Government Administrator Chief Minister Const. ... Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Nickname: Sunshine State/Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Governor Premier Const. ... Motto: United for the Common Wealth Nickname: Festival State Other Australian states and territories Capital Adelaide Government Governor Premier Const. ... Motto: Ubertas et Fidelitas (Fertility and Faithfulness) Nickname: The Apple Isle Other Australian states and territories Capital Hobart Government Governor Premier Const. ... Motto: Cygnis Insignis (Distinguished by its swans) Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Governor Premier Const. ... Canberra is the capital city of Australia and, with a population of just over 323,000, is also Australias largest inland city. ...

Each state has a similar hierarchical structure that brings together the interests of the local RSL clubs. Each club has a local hierarchy of officials.

See also

• Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association - The New Zealand version of the RSL

The Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association Inc, often referred to as the Returned Services Association, RSA or the RNZRSA, is a voluntary ex-service organisation, dedicated to the welfare of veterans. ...

External links

• Official site
• National Executive