Mentone RSL

25/05/2026

A massive thank you to everyone involved in Mentone RSL's ANZAC Appeal for 2026! It's an amazing effort for a volunteer group without an operational RSL building or business.

An extra special mention to Virginia Baldwin for managing the Appeal, without whom it wouldn't run effectively - if at all!

12/05/2026

RSL Victoria: Mentone RSL Members Information Meeting

Attention: Mentone RSL Life, Service & Affiliate members:

Mentone RSL members were informed in January 2026, that the Sub-Branch charter had been suspended for a period of 12 months and a RSL Victoria Management Advisory Group (MAG) had been established to control the affairs of the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch.

The Mentone MAG will be holding a Members Information Meeting, which will be chaired by the chair of the Mentone MAG, Timothy Holden and will have other members of the MAG in attendance.

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on the work undertaken to date by the Mentone MAG.

Members are requested to supply any questions that they have for the MAG prior to the meeting, by submitting in writing to [email protected] by 19 May 2026.

Please note below that the Members Information session will
be held at the Bentleigh RSL.

Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Bentleigh RSL Sub-Branch, 538 Centre Road Bentleigh

This Members Information Meeting invitation is extended to Mentone RSL members only.

If you have any further questions, please contact [email protected] or 9655 5555.

26/04/2026

Thank you to the many thousands in our community who came together to honour and remember at our ANZAC Day services.

If you have any photos from the day, please post them below!

18/04/2026

Please join us for our annual ANZAC Day services.

Following the 9am Commemorative service, please join us and our local RSL Members and community at Mentone 'Edge' Bowling Club for a gold coin donation morning tea and $3 sausage sizzle.

Morning tea starts at 10:00am - cash only.

Mentone Bowling Club BAR OPEN FROM MIDDAY.

Come and join in the fun of bare foot bowls at $2 per person (weather permitting) - cash only.

02/04/2026

RSL VIC STATEMENT:

We are writing to provide and update on the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch.

As mentioned in the previous communication to members in January, The Management
Advisory Group was established to manage the day-to-day matters and liaise with the
appointed administrator.

RSL Victoria and the Management Advisory Group will continue to work with Sub-Branch members to ensure commemoration and fundraising continue in the local area
in the lead up to ANZAC Day.

Please find below scheduled services:

ANZAC DAY 2026 SERVICES:

Dawn Service - 6 am
Mentone Memorial Park (in front of the RSL)

ANZAC Day March - 8.40 am
Assemble at Keith Styles Reserve

Commemoration Service - 9 am
Mentone Memorial Park (in front of the RSL)

RSL Victoria wishes to thank these members and volunteers for their continued work to
date and in the lead up to this important day.

The Management Advisory Group and the administrator have been in productive and
regular communication working to achieve a sustainable long-term outcome for the
Mentone RSL in this challenging situation.

At this stage, we are unable to provide further information; however, members will be
updated as soon as the group are in a position to do so.

The support of veterans and their families remains the priority of RSL Victoria and
Mentone RSL Sub-Branch.

For immediate assistance or support, veterans can contact Veteran Central on
1800 645 838.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

30/03/2026

10/02/2026

LEE OAM, John Hamilton 3103353 – passed away 8 February 2026

The members of the Mentone Sub-Branch and the State Executive of RSL Victoria acknowledge with sadness the passing of Colonel John Lee OAM (Retd).

A proud Vietnam Veteran, John served with HQ 1 Support Group CMF.

John was a former long-time Chair of the State Branch Tribunal and a member of the State Awards Committee. He was an ex-Committee member and former Vice President of the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch.

John was awarded Life Membership with Gold Badge and inducted into the RSL Hall of Fame in 2009 to acknowledge his dedicated volunteer service to the League. For his outstanding volunteer work for veterans and his local community, John was recognised in the Order of Australia in 2014.

The Members of the Mentone Sub-Branch, the State Executive and Members of RSL Victoria extend their sincerest condolences to John’s family on the loss of a wonderful RSL volunteer and a very fine gentleman.

John will be privately cremated this Friday 13th February.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday 25th February at 1 pm and include an RSL Service.

Venue: Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron, where John was the last member of the founding committee.

“LEST WE FORGET”

16/01/2026

RSL Victoria statement on Mentone RSL:

On 8 January 2026 RSL Victoria assumed control of the affairs of the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch.

RSL Victoria this week met with the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch Committee to update them on matters following the Sub-Branch entering voluntary administration on 4 December 2025.

RSL Victoria, in conjunction with the Sub-Branch, commenced an investigation into the financial and governance issues that led to this situation. This has found several irregularities that warrant a full investigation.

Given the need to complete that investigation while the Sub-Branch is in administration, RSL Victoria will control the affairs of the Sub-Branch for up to 12 months and appoint a Management Advisory Group to manage day-to-day matters and liaise with the administrator.

All parties will be working towards achieving a positive outcome for the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch.

While this process continues, the Sub-Branch will not operate, and the hospitality venue will not re-open until further notice.

RSL Victoria and the Management Advisory Group will work with Sub-Branch members to ensure that veteran and family support and commemoration continue in the local area. They will also work collectively to ensure memorabilia is preserved and secure.

The support of veterans and their families remains the priority of RSL Victoria and Mentone RSL Sub-Branch. During this period all memberships will be temporarily maintained through RSL Victoria (Headquarters). This ensures you remain connected to the RSL and receive updates on news and events.

Nearby Sub-Branches have been briefed on the matter and will welcome Mentone members for welfare support services or to attend hospitality venues. That welcome extends to any RSL Sub-Branch across Victoria.

All commemorative activities and in particular ANZAC Day 2026 have been considered as part of this process, with RSL Victoria intending to prioritise the continuation of commemoration in the Mentone area.

For immediate assistance or support, veterans can contact Veteran Central on 1800 645 838.

RSL Victoria will continue to keep members informed as further information becomes available.

10/12/2025

RSL Victoria State Branch advises that the Committee of the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch Inc. made the decision to enter voluntary administration on Friday 5 December 2025.

The State Branch recognises the difficulty of this decision but supports this action and will continue to offer support to the Sub-Branch as it goes through this process.

RSL Victoria has been working with the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch committee over recent months to navigate through financial and governance challenges.

The current Committee of Mentone RSL Sub-Branch has recognised these issues and decided on this course of action as the only responsible and transparent way to deal with them.

The Sub-Branch’s hospitality operations have been closed since 5 November 2025, and the administrator has assumed responsibility over the business on their appointment.

The administrator and Trustee of the Patriotic Fund will explore all options around the ongoing sustainability of the Sub-Branch and the venue.

The ability to provide support services to veterans, remains the priority for Mentone RSL and RSL Victoria as it awaits further information from the administrator.

In the interim, assistance will be provided by the Mentone RSL Sub-Branch Committee, who can be contacted via [email protected].

Veterans requiring immediate mental health support can contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046.

21/11/2025

Thank you to everyone for your patience and support during what has been a challenging period for the sub-branch. We want to share a clearer picture of where things stand and what we’re working towards, while keeping some necessary boundaries around sensitive details.

Over the past several weeks, the volunteer committee has been navigating a number of complex administrative, compliance and operational issues that came to light all at once. These matters have required careful handling, involvement from external bodies, and expert advice to ensure that everything is addressed properly and sustainably. While this work has taken longer than any of us would have hoped, it is essential for the long-term stability of the sub-branch.

We know the community is eager for a confirmed reopening date. At this stage, we are aiming for December, but we are not in a position to guarantee an exact day just yet. Some steps in the process are outside our direct control, and we want to ensure that when we reopen, it is done correctly and safely. We will provide a firm date as soon as we are able. At this time, we cannot take new bookings or confirm existing ones. We understand how disappointing this may be for those planning events, and we truly appreciate your patience while we complete the final requirements necessary for reopening.

Through all of this, the support from the community has been humbling. Many people have reached out offering help, time, skills and resources. As a volunteer-run sub-branch, this kind of support genuinely makes a difference. If you or anyone you know would like to assist in any capacity—whether volunteering, lending expertise, or simply staying connected—we would warmly welcome it.

Thank you again for your patience, understanding and encouragement. We are making progress every day, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as the doors are ready to reopen.

— Mentone RSL Volunteer Committee