Hornsby RSL Sub Branch

17/08/2026

This year, we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in South Vietnam on 18 August 1966.

The Battle of Long Tan was one of the most significant battles fought by Australians during the Vietnam War. On 18 August 1966, Delta (D) Company, The Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), defeated North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops during an ‘encounter’ battle in the Long Tan rubber plantation. The plantation was close to the 1st Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat. D Company suffered 42 casualties, including 18 dead – more than one-third of its strength. D Company's 105 men and 3 New Zealanders from 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, fought for almost 4 hours against soldiers of the North Vietnamese Army, who outnumbered them by 10 to one. Some 245 North Vietnamese and Vietcong troops were killed. Australians observe Vietnam Veterans' Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

The photo attached is a painting of the Battle of Long Tan, painted by official war artist Bruce Fletcher in 1970. Shows action between 'D' Company and Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army forces. Events that happened at intervals during the battle are shown happening simultaneously. Oil on canvas, 152 x 175 cm. AWM ART40758

More details can be found at https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/wars-and-missions/vietnam-war/operations/battle-long-tan-1966

15/08/2026

Victory in the Pacific Day

Eighty one years ago on this day in 1945, the war in the Pacific finally came to an end. It was a time of wild spontaneous celebrations as this well know still from a British Movietone news reel shows. This link provides a link to the complete newsreel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VSDcXT7XWM

08/08/2026

Berowra RSL sub-Branch has invited Hornsby sub-Branch members and their families to a combined Victory in the Pacific and Vietnam Veterans Day Service on Sunday 16 August 2026.

Please see the attached flyer for details.

06/08/2026

IT’S 10 PIN BOWLING TIME AGAIN

Dust off your balls and get active with friends to scuttle some skittles.

When. Next Wednesday the 12th at 10am.
Where: The ATTIC Centre, 2nd Floor RSL Club

Book your spot now. Don’t miss out on the fun activity. Bring a friend or a casual acquaintance you have just met.

Coffee and morning tea supplied.

Contact: John Zeller

01/08/2026

The sub-Branch has been asked to inform members of function being organised by Taskforce Vietnam on the 60 anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. The following details have been provided and a flyer is attached.

I am writing to you on behalf of Taskforce Veteran, a veteran’s charity, that is hosting a 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan luncheon at the former Scheyville Officer Training Unit, Scheyville National Park – a place where hundreds of young Australian Army Officer Cadets began their leadership journey before serving their country, including many who deployed to Malaysia and Vietnam.

Scheyville is more than a historic military establishment. It is where leadership was forged, lifelong friendships were formed and the journey to military service began.
Hosting this anniversary luncheon at Scheyville provides a unique opportunity to honour the courage, sacrifice and enduring legacy of all who served in Vietnam (Navy, Army and Air Force) while recognising the important role the Officer Training Unit played in preparing many of those who answered the nation’s call.

This commemorative event has been made possible through the commitment and dedication of the late Brett Wild, Chairman of Taskforce Veteran. Brett spent years advocating, securing funding and restoring the few remaining buildings at Scheyville, thus ensuring this nationally significant military heritage site remains a place where veterans can return, stories can be shared, and future generations can better understand the service and sacrifice of those who trained at Scheyville, and served Australia in times of conflict.

As our Vietnam veterans are now in their late 70’s and 80’s, opportunities to gather with former comrades at places of such personal significance are becoming increasingly rare. This may be the last opportunity to reconnect, reflect on shared experience and pay tribute to those who did not return.

01/08/2026

This post continues an occasional series highlighting items in our memorabilia collection located near the lower entrance to the Hornsby RSL Club. It is well worth a visit.

The Versailles Peace Treaty, signed on 28 June 1919, marked the formal end to World War 1 although the fighting had effectively ceased on 11 November 1918. To mark the signing, school children in Australia were issued with a commemorative medallion which is the subject of this post.

The attached image provides more details on the medallion.

27/07/2026

We are currently experiencing difficulties with our website https://www.hornsbyrslsubbranch.com.au/

We are investigating.

Hornsby RSL Sub-Branch, as part of the Returned and Services league of Australia (NSW Branch) is dedicated to the welfare of serving & ex-serving Defence Force personnel & their dependants.

23/07/2026

General Meeting and Veterans' Lunch - Sunday 26 July 2026

A note to remind you that our General Meeting and Veteran's Lunch is on this Sunday, 26 July 2026, at 1100 in the RSL Club. This is our Christmas in July special luncheon.

All members are welcome to bring a guest for the lunch. If you need to bring a friend who can provide transport, that person is welcome to be your guest for the lunch.

The lunch is open to all veterans, not just members. Please invite any non-member veterans that you are in contact with to join us on Sunday. (Note that a non-member veteran does not count as your guest; you can still have a non veteran or partner or friend as your guest). We also invite widows of former members to join us and to become Affiliates so that they can continue their association with the veteran community. If you are in contact with any of our former members' widows, or other members and veterans who need assistance with mobility, why not see if you can assist them to get here.

We look forward to seeing you there.

07/07/2026

Berowra RSL sub-Branch has invited Hornsby sub-Branch members and their families to attend its 2026 Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) service to be held at 11.30am on 11 July at the Berowra War Memorial. (Berowra Community Centre - Gully Road.)

Further details on the attached invitation