Castle Hill and District RSL sub-Branch

02/11/2026

ADF Family and Veterans Day at Marouba RSL

01/11/2026

A 10kg weighted vest and a pair of budgy smugglers might seem like an unusual combination for a Saturday morning run, but at Cronulla this December, both will have a much deeper meaning.

The Weight of War Run is returning to Cronulla RSL on Saturday 5 December, bringing veterans, families and local residents together to raise awareness of the mental health challenges faced by those who have served in the Australian Defence Force.

Participants can choose to run 5km, 10km or 21km, while those wanting something more relaxed can join a 1km walk.

For anyone willing to take on an extra challenge, there's the option of wearing a 10kg weighted vest.

The additional weight represents the emotional burden many veterans continue to carry after leaving military service. The event's other trademark, a pair of budgy smugglers, represents something equally difficult for some veterans: finding the courage to ask for help.

But there's no pressure to take on either challenge.

There are no race placings or prizes, and nobody needs to worry about being the fastest across the finish line.

The longer runs will follow 5km loops, with a refreshment station along the way.

Cronulla RSL will again serve as the event's basecamp, with organisers planning a full day around the run.

The bowling green will be open for entertainment and activities, the bar will be operating and ice baths will be available for those looking to cool off afterwards.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to stay around once they've finished, catch up with friends and enjoy the afternoon.

Registration is free, with donations supporting veteran mental health and wellbeing programs through the Zero79 Foundation and Survive To Thrive Nation.

You don't have to be a veteran or even a runner to take part. Locals can volunteer, donate or simply turn up to cheer everyone along.

The Weight of War Run takes place at Cronulla RSL on Saturday 5 December 2026.

Registrations are open through the event's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/weightofwar/

688 Followers, 579 Following, 115 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Weight of War ()

31/10/2026

⛳ A great morning of family fun at Lynwood Golf & Country Club !

On Tuesday 6 October, 28 Castle Hill and District RSL sub-Branch members and grandchildren enjoyed a morning of mini golf, making the most of the beautiful weather and stunning views across the golf course and mountains.

It was lovely to see everyone enjoying some friendly competition, plenty of laughs and time together.

A special thanks to Phil, Glenda, Cheryl and Barry (pictured below) for being part of a wonderful morning, and to Cheryl for sharing the photos!

30/10/2026

On Sunday 11 October, Castle Hill and District RSL sub-Branch veteran members Clint Marlborough, Paul Garai and Chris Kirk, along with Katherine Kirk, attended the 25th Anniversary of Australian Military Service in Afghanistan commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

The moving ceremony honoured all who served in Afghanistan, particularly those who lost their lives.

Our group was also honoured to meet the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, and Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle.

They also attended the planting of a commemorative olive tree in the Memorial's Sculpture Garden and took the opportunity to explore the impressive new galleries.

The day concluded with the 5pm Last Post Ceremony, which paid tribute to the ADF personnel who lost their lives in Afghanistan.

It was a memorable day of remembrance and reflection, recognising the service and sacrifice of our Afghanistan veterans and their families.

Lest We Forget.

30/10/2026

Castle Hill & District RSL sub-Branch was well represented at the recent RSL NSW State Congress.

The Congress was officially opened by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW, with addresses from RSL NSW President Vince Williams and RSL Australia President Peter Tinley.

Attending on behalf of our sub-Branch were President Cheryl Hill, Vice President Personnel Paul Harris-Walker, and FWMDC Delegate and Committee Member David Hand.

It was a great opportunity to meet with fellow RSL representatives from across NSW, share ideas and discuss important matters affecting veterans and their families.

30/10/2026

Remembrance Day Stalls Now Open 🌺

Our Remembrance Day stalls are now running in the foyers of Castle Hill RSL Club and Lynwood Club, right up until, and including, Remembrance Day on Wednesday 11 November.

Drop by to pick up a poppy, pin or other Remembrance day items, and say hello to our wonderful sub-Branch and Auxiliary volunteers. Every purchase helps, with all proceeds going to RSL LifeCare Veteran Services to support veterans and their families.

A big thank you to Alison and Cheryl for sending through these photos from our stalls. We’re so grateful to everyone giving their time to help us honour those who served.

Lest We Forget.

28/10/2026

Great story about Mathew Bell orgainser of Instameet a veteran photography group.

Go and visit the Anzac
memorial to see some of his images on display.



https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CqoFhHNGz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Veteran Mathew Bell took a stunning number of photographs while serving in Afghanistan and East Timor – around 10,000.

These shots offer him a way of recording and commemorating his service and that of his mates.

Now an RSL NSW member attached to the Forestville RSL Sub-Branch, Bell shares that family legacy with his children.

Learn more in our Q&A: https://rslnsw.org.au/news/how-afghanistan-veteran-mathew-bell-uses-photography-to-create-a-legacy-for-his-kids/

26/10/2026

WIN 1 OF 4 DOUBLE PASSES 🚢

This weekend, travel through 3 locations and 3 chapters of HMAS Vampire (II)'s history in this special guided round-trip experience developed in collaboration with the Australian National Maritime Museum and Harbour Trust.

Step aboard HMAS Vampire (II) for a guided experience at the Australian National Maritime Museum and follow the remarkable 70-year journey of ‘The Bat’ from naval warship to museum vessel.

After exploring HMAS Vampire, cruise Sydney Harbour on the historic Harman before heading to Cockatoo Island, where you'll discover the story behind the ship's construction.

Led by experts from the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Harbour Trust, this exclusive tour brings Sydney's naval and shipbuilding history to life.

📅 Sunday 1 November, 10am to 1pm

For a chance to win a double pass, sign up to our newsletter at https://buff.ly/ODqPLbK

We'll draw 4 lucky winners to receive a double pass each. Competition closes 27 October 2026. ⚓

📷 Image credits:
Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) collection
Bat flag gifted to ANMM by Norman Cooke

26/10/2026

The Australian nurses who never came home


The 21 Australian Army nurses murdered on Bangka Island will be remembered in a candlelit performance of Mozart’s Requiem at Sydney Town Hall ahead of Remembrance Day. Photo: Courtesy of Artes Christi.
Twenty-one Australian Army nurses who survived a sinking ship only to be murdered on an Indonesian beach will be remembered through prayer and music at Sydney Town Hall on 8 November.

Catholic arts organisation Artes Christi will present Mozart’s Requiem – A Candlelit Tribute to Our Military Nurses, bringing together an 80-strong choir and orchestra ahead of Remembrance Day.

Presented in support of the Australian Remembrance Foundation, the commemoration will honour the nurses killed in the Bangka Island massacre, alongside military nurses across generations, including those serving today.

Organisers are seeking Defence approval for 21 serving military nurses, seven each from Navy, Army and Air Force, to lay 21 wreaths in memory of the women.

A representative of Vivian Bullwinkel’s family is also being invited to participate.

On 16 February 1942, Japanese soldiers ordered 22 Australian Army nurses into the sea at Radji Beach on Bangka Island and opened fire. Twenty-one nurses were killed. Bullwinkel, wounded in the shooting, was the only nurse to survive.

The women had fled Singapore aboard the SS Vyner Brooke as Japanese forces advanced.

When Japanese aircraft sank the ship on 14 February, survivors struggled ashore, with some reaching Radji Beach. After surviving the massacre, Bullwinkel hid before being captured and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner.

Following her return to Australia, she testified at a war crimes tribunal and devoted herself to nursing and preserving the memory of her murdered colleagues.

Other Australian nurses who survived the sinking endured years of captivity in Japanese camps. Music became one source of consolation for women imprisoned in Sumatra.

Fellow internees Margaret Dryburgh and Norah Chambers established a women’s vocal orchestra, reconstructing classical music from memory and arranging instrumental parts for unaccompanied voices.

Their repertoire included the Largo from Dvořák’s New World Symphony. Amid hunger, illness and confinement, the performances offered prisoners an opportunity to make music together and recall life beyond the camps.

The Sydney commemoration will likewise place music at the centre of remembrance, with Mozart’s setting of the Catholic Mass for the Dead performed by candlelight.

The Australian Remembrance Foundation, whose patron is former Governor-General General Sir Peter Cosgrove, also presents the annual Anzac Eve Tribute at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

Through music, ceremony and personal stories, it seeks to encourage participation in remembrance. The Town Hall performance begins at 5pm on Sunday 8 November, three days before Remembrance Day.

Tickets start at $40 via trybooking.

26/10/2026

FREE LECTURE, SAT 7 NOV - ANZAC MEMORIAL HYDE PARK
Come along to hear Official Historian Dr Rhys Crawley shed light on Australia's participation in the Afghanistan conflict, the country's longest war. More details at the link below:

It was Australia’s longest war, but how much do we know about what the Australian Defence Force did in Afghanistan? In this lecture, one of ...