Melbourne RSL

Melbourne RSL Melbourne RSL exists to support veterans and current ADF serving members.

Melbourne RSL affiliates with several ex-service organisations that support veterans, serving ADF members and families. ...
03/06/2026

Melbourne RSL affiliates with several ex-service organisations that support veterans, serving ADF members and families. Through its partnership with Defence in Business we have asked representatives of Soldier On, Australian National Veteran Art Museum (ANVAM), Melbourne Legacy, DVA Open Arms and RSL Victoria to present an overview of their services at a networking event “Veteran Support Teams” on the 29th July 2026. See: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/veteran-support-teams-tickets-1986180211479?aff.

Soldier On is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting current and former Australian Defence Force members, including reservists, and their immediate families. Its purpose is simple but powerful: to work side by side with those who serve, and those who support them, helping them build strong, connected and meaningful lives beyond and alongside Defence service.

Through its holistic HELP model, Soldier On provides free services across health and wellbeing, employment, learning and education, and participation in community life. This includes no-cost psychological support, practical help with transition and job searching, access to training and education opportunities, career mentoring, networking, and support to build confidence and purpose in civilian careers.

Soldier On also understands that service affects the whole family. Partners, children and immediate family members can access support, activities and programs that help them stay connected, build resilience and feel part of a wider community.

Its social connection activities — from coffee catch-ups and sporting events to art, yoga, sailing and surf therapy — create opportunities for veterans and families to meet people who understand their experiences and to form new friendships.

Whether someone is still serving, preparing to transition, recently discharged, or rebuilding life many years later, Soldier On offers practical, compassionate and informed support. Its message is clear: no veteran, serving member or family needs to face the journey alone.

ANZAC Day at the Waterside HotelFollowing the March, myself and several members of the Naval Association of Australia, M...
27/05/2026

ANZAC Day at the Waterside Hotel

Following the March, myself and several members of the Naval Association of Australia, Melbourne Sub Section retired to what was formerly known as the Waterside Hotel. It is now known as “THE WATERSIDE”, 508 Flinders Street and corner of King Street. Melbourne.

The site has undergone huge renovations. The former two storey building with a bar restaurant on the ground floor and accommodation on the first floor is no longer. Instead there is a multi-storey building with restaurants and function areas on multiple floors. Access is easy with lifts to all levels. Fortunately some of the features of the old dining room have been retained. What was the original bar on the corner has been opened up with an open-air atrium reaching up two floors to an open roof. Fortunately on Anzac Day there was no rain.

For the first time the Waterside used our RSL licence to play “TWO UP”. Opening in the early morning for food, the venue was not permitted to sell alcohol until midday. By noon the bar and restaurant were in full swing and many participants playing and enjoying the atmosphere.

It is a major change to the hotel which I first visited in April 1982. My first office when I arrived in Melbourne in March 1982 was at 24 King Street, Melbourne. Originally the offices of “Melbourne Steamship Company”. The building in those days had a manually operated lift, with a resident lift operator. My office later moved to purpose-built buildings on Coode Island further down the Yarra river.

The Waterside Hotel was an “early opener” in those days starting to serve alcohol at 06.00 Hrs. to provide sustenance to the waterside and dock workers. It also had a very good dining room and served excellent steaks. I look forward to a future visit and checking to see if the standard and quality of steak has been maintained after forty-four years. Ken Shewan, Hon Secretary.

Melbourne RSL Career ConnectionsOur Career Connections initiative held its first Networking Event on the 11th March in p...
20/05/2026

Melbourne RSL Career Connections

Our Career Connections initiative held its first Networking Event on the 11th March in partnership with Defence in Business. It was very successful with 65 people in attendance – and we gained some new Sub-Branch members.

Details of our next event in July are as follows:

Veteran Support Teams (Tickets via Eventbrite link)
Event by Defence in Business
Wed, July 29, 2026, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
BUPA Offices: 33 Exhibition St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Ground Floor
Event link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1986180211479?aff=oddtdtcreator

About:
This event is designed to bring together the Victorian Defence in Business community — ex-service professionals, employers, business owners, and supporters — to connect, exchange insights, and explore current and emerging opportunities.

It will be especially relevant for:
- ex-Defence professionals exploring their next step
- employers seeking veteran talent
- organisations supporting veteran transition and engagement

You’ll hear from organisations supporting and working with veterans, including:
- RSL Victoria
- Soldier On
- Australian National Veteran Art Museum (ANVAM)
- Melbourne Legacy
- DVA Open Arms

Kindly sponsored by BUPA.

Defence in Business

In the high desert of New Mexico, a tiny village called Anzac carries an unexpected link to Australia and New Zealand. O...
13/05/2026

In the high desert of New Mexico, a tiny village called Anzac carries an unexpected link to Australia and New Zealand. Originally a siding on the Acheson Topeka Santa Fe railway line, Anzac was reportedly named during World War I to honour the sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli.

Today, the village sits within Acoma Pueblo lands, near Route 66, where the name remains part of everyday community life. This story traces a remarkable journey from Gallipoli to America’s Southwest and invites respectful recognition of a shared history. Before ANZAC Day we delivered two flags – an Australian National Flag and an ANZAC Flag and we are optimistic that respectful commemoration by locals has taken place.

In 1915, before the first AIF troops landed at Gallipoli, 36 naval veterans met in Melbourne and formed Victoria’s first...
06/05/2026

In 1915, before the first AIF troops landed at Gallipoli, 36 naval veterans met in Melbourne and formed Victoria’s first returned servicemen’s association.

As wounded soldiers began returning from Gallipoli, further meetings were held in Melbourne, including at the Orient Hotel on 8 August 1915. By 29 August, the organisation was formally named the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Branches soon developed across Victoria, and by 1917 Melbourne Branch membership had grown from 800 to more than 5,000.

Its purpose was clear: to preserve friendships, honour the fallen, support the sick, wounded and needy, and uphold loyalty to Australia.

Melbourne RSL later became known for its influential Duckboard journal and its much-loved “Duckboard Club”, symbolising protection and support for soldiers. The duckboards were planks laid in the mud in an attempt to prevent ‘trench foot’.
From World War I through later conflicts, Melbourne RSL has provided welfare, comradeship and practical support — a proud legacy of 110 years of service.

Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance is one of our city’s most treasured places of memory. Built to honour the Victorians w...
29/04/2026

Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance is one of our city’s most treasured places of memory. Built to honour the Victorians who served in the First World War, it grew from a community determination that sacrifice should never be forgotten.

Designed by returned-soldier architects Philip Hudson and James Wardrop, the Shrine was shaped not only by skill, but by lived experience of war. Its foundation stone was laid in 1927, and it was officially dedicated on 11 November 1934, drawing an enormous crowd in a moving act of public remembrance.

Over the decades, the Shrine has evolved to honour Australians who served in later conflicts, peacekeeping and peacemaking missions, while remaining a place of quiet reflection, education and gratitude. Today, it stands at the heart of Melbourne as a lasting reminder that remembrance is not only about the past — it is about carrying respect, service and sacrifice into the future.

On 25 April 1916, while many Australian troops were still in Egypt and others were moving to France, the first Anzac Day...
22/04/2026

On 25 April 1916, while many Australian troops were still in Egypt and others were moving to France, the first Anzac Day was marked in Cairo with a deeply solemn memorial. The day commemorated the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and centred on a religious service in the auditorium of the Anzac Hotel, where messages from leaders in Australia were read aloud.

Afterwards, attention turned to the Old Cairo Cemetery, where the graves of Australian soldiers were honoured. Flowers were gathered by military officials and Cairo residents, formed into wreaths and crosses, and carried in ambulances to the cemetery for distribution. In all, floral tributes were laid on about 700 graves.

The ceremony was both dignified and practical: grave registers were updated so the fallen could be properly identified and remembered. This first observance established Anzac Day as a day of remembrance, grief, pride and national reflection. Melbourne RSL’s treasurer, Peter Whitelaw, reports that his grandfather Roy Whitelaw (ambulance driver) took this photo.

Join us in Melbourne for the 2026 ANZAC Day Commemoration March — a moving tribute to those who have served, and continu...
15/04/2026

Join us in Melbourne for the 2026 ANZAC Day Commemoration March — a moving tribute to those who have served, and continue to serve, in defence of Australia and its interests.

The March is a powerful opportunity for veterans to re-form the ranks of their units and honour fallen comrades, while also allowing the wider community to reflect, remember and show their respect. Descendants of veterans are also warmly encouraged to take part.

Following the March, a Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance at approximately 12 noon, offering a further moment for collective remembrance.

Whether you are marching or attending as a member of the public, this is a significant occasion in our national story and an important chance to stand together in commemoration. Attend, reflect and honour the ANZAC spirit.

Melbourne RSL’s Peter Whitelaw will be available in the RSL Victoria booth at the Shrine.

Learn more here: https://rslvic.com.au/anzac-day-melbourne-2026/commemoration-march/

Veterans often bring strong commitment, discipline and adaptability to civilian careers — but it can still be hard to de...
08/04/2026

Veterans often bring strong commitment, discipline and adaptability to civilian careers — but it can still be hard to decide what to focus on next.

Melbourne RSL’s Personal Goal Setting module is designed to help. This practical short course gives busy people a simple way to clarify what matters most, set priorities, and turn ideas into measurable progress using Mission, SOAR and OKRs. It is built to be learned quickly and used immediately with outcomes you can track.

For veterans, this can be especially valuable during career transition, job searching, professional growth, or planning a business direction. It helps reduce overwhelm, build confidence, and create a clearer path forward.

Melbourne RSL offers this module as part of its Career Mentoring service for veterans. There is no cost.

To register your interest, please email [email protected]

Melbourne RSL in partnership with Defence in Business held its latest event in Melbourne this week with the "Career Tran...
01/04/2026

Melbourne RSL in partnership with Defence in Business held its latest event in Melbourne this week with the "Career Transitions and Connections" theme attracting a large audience at the office of Hays.

The event brought together ADF serving members, veterans, employers, business owners, and supporters - to connect, exchange insights, and explore current and emerging business and career opportunities. We were very pleased to have several VIPs fly in from interstate for the occasion.

It was a stimulating evening with lively conversations after an entertaining and interactive panel discussion with senior recruitment sector leaders including Kelly Hopkins, Peter Acheson, Olivia Agate and Austin Blackburne.

We are building the DiB Victoria team, so please reach out to Blake Barrett CSC or Peter Whitelaw if you are willing to help to deliver meaningful events with interesting speakers, facilitated networking, and actionable takeaways.

Many thanks to Hays for supporting the event and we appreciate the highlight photos from Michael Currie's team Alex and Jay Kogler.

Please note that our next DiB Networking Event is planned for the 29th July 2026 and will again be in Melbourne’s CBD.

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Level 2, Legacy House, 293 Swanston Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

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