25/10/2026
RSL NSW members have elected the leadership team that will guide the state’s oldest veteran charity into its 110th anniversary year and oversee implementation of its new strategic plan.
RSL NSW President Vince Williams has been elected unopposed as President for the next three years, providing continuity of leadership as the League enters an important new chapter in its history.
The election result as formally declared by CorpVote, the independent Returning Officer, was confirmed today (Sunday 25 October 2026) at the RSL NSW Annual General Meeting in Tamworth, following the organisation’s annual State Congress and the launch of its new three-year Strategic Plan.
The ‘Better Together Strategic Plan 2027–2029’ provides a roadmap to ensure RSL NSW remains fit for purpose and financially sustainable so it can continue delivering on its charitable purpose of supporting veterans and their families.
It comes in the wake of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Su***de, which has brought a heightened focus on veteran health and wellbeing across the Defence and veteran support ecosystem, and reinforced the need for organisations serving veterans and their families to continue evolving to meet their changing needs.
Brigadier Williams said it was an honour and a privilege to be entrusted by members to lead an organisation established by the original ANZACs returning from WWI – and which, almost 110 years later, continues to support veterans and their families across NSW.
“It is an enormous honour and privilege to serve as President of RSL NSW and to help lead this proud, much-loved institution as we approach our 110th anniversary,” Mr Williams said.
“RSL NSW has been there for veterans and their families for generations. Our responsibility now is to honour that extraordinary legacy while ensuring the League continues to evolve and remains relevant, sustainable and fit for purpose for the veterans of today and tomorrow.
“The Royal Commission has rightly sharpened the focus on veteran health and wellbeing and challenged all of us across the Defence and veteran ecosystem to consider how we can do better.
“Our new Better Together Strategic Plan gives us a clear roadmap for the next three years. My commitment is to continue working proactively, collaboratively and constructively with our members, sub-Branches, Districts, Board and staff to turn that plan into action.
“There is a great deal of work ahead of us, but there is also enormous opportunity. As we prepare to celebrate 110 years of RSL NSW in 2027, it is time to rally the troops, work together and write the next chapter in the history of this great organisation.”
Seven RSL NSW Service Members have also been elected to the RSL NSW Board.
Four will join the Board as first-time Elected Directors:
• Louise Kirkwood
• Michael King
• Lachlan Stevens
• Gary Bigg
Incumbent Elected Directors Phillip Bridie, Glen Babington and current RSL NSW Board Chair Louise Sullivan were re-elected.
They join current independent Director Clare Phelan who was appointed to a three-year term in October 2024. A second independent Director role remains vacant and will be filled as soon as possible.
Mr Williams congratulated all successful candidates and thanked every member who put themselves forward to serve the League.
“Strong organisations depend on people being prepared to step forward, contribute their experience and accept the responsibility that comes with leadership,” Brigadier Williams said.
“I congratulate our newly elected and returning Directors and look forward to working with them as we implement our Better Together strategy and strengthen RSL NSW for the future.
“Whatever role we play – State President, Director, staff member, sub-Branch office bearer, volunteer or member – we are ultimately united by the same purpose: supporting veterans and their families.
“If we keep that purpose at the centre of everything we do, and work together as one League, I am confident RSL NSW will enter its second century stronger, more sustainable and better equipped to serve veterans and their families for generations to come.”
The new Strategic Plan focuses the League on its core mission to Connect, Commemorate and Advocate, supported by strong governance, greater brand clarity and financial sustainability.
RSL NSW was founded in 1917 and today comprises a statewide network of more than 300 volunteer-led sub-Branches supporting veterans and their families through connection, commemoration, advocacy and wellbeing initiatives.
FULL DETAILS: https://rslnsw.org.au/news/rsl-nsw-elects-leadership-team-to-take-league-into-its-110th-year-and-beyond/
