RSL WA Mount Hawthorn Sub-Branch

03/11/2026

Today, we commemorate KOKODA DAY. This photo, courtesy of the Australian War Memorial, shows Australian soldiers of D Company, AMF 39th Battalion, photographed by famous war photographer, Damien Parer, as they return to base camp after a battle at Isurava.
Right to left: Warrant Officer 2 R. Marsh, Private (Pte) G. Palmer, VX103131 Pte John Manol, Pte John Tonkins, VX117685 Pte Arnold William Forrester and Gallipoli veteran Staff Sergeant J Long. Their shoes sink deep in the mud on the hilly jungle track.
LEST WE FORGET.
Ref: AWM 013131

15/10/2026

Open Day at the Army Museum on Sunday 15 November - a great day out for the whole family!

15/10/2026

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2026

You are most welcome to attend our annual Remembrance Day Service on Wednesday 11 November, as we once again gather to remember those Australians who lost their lives in World War One.

VENUE:
Axford Park Memorial, corner of Oxford St & Scarborough Beach Rd, Mount Hawthorn.

DATE & TIME:
Wednesday 11 November
Service commences at 10:45am and finishes at approx.11:15am.

LEST WE FORGET.

01/10/2026

You are invited to join RSL WA at the State War Memorial as we commemorate 25 years since Australian service in Afghanistan began (2001–2021).

We will honour more than 35,000 Australians who served, remember those who lost their lives, and stand with veterans and families still living with the impacts of this service today.

When: Sat 10 October 2026, 4:00pm–5:00pm
Where: State War Memorial, Kings Park WA

29/09/2026

RSL Australia is urging the Federal Government to heed the recommendations of a Senate inquiry and pause its Defence estate divestment program.

The Senate committee examining the management of Defence estate assets has recommended an immediate halt to the broader program until proper public consultation is completed and appropriate checks and balances are in place.

RSL Australia believes the concerns raised warrant a pause before irreversible decisions are made.

This is about more than land and buildings. Decisions about sites such as Victoria Barracks Sydney and Irwin Barracks in Perth have real consequences for serving personnel and their families, recruitment and retention, Defence capability and Australia’s military heritage.

Across the country, RSL state branches have raised concerns about proposed divestments and the process surrounding them. RSL Australia stands firmly behind our state branches.

The Government should heed the Senate committee’s recommendation, undertake meaningful consultation and properly assess the current and future strategic value of these sites before they are gone for good.

🔗 The Senate Inquiry Interim Report can be read in full via the link in the comments

RSL Queensland RSL NSW RSL ACT Branch RSL Victoria RSL Tasmania RSL South Australia RSL WA

14/09/2026

For those locals who served in Afghanistan with the Royal Australian Army, this poster is available online through the ANZAC Portal on the DVA website. I can also request more posters from DVA, so if you would like one please get in touch with me via email at [email protected] .

14/09/2026

11/09/2026

Today is the 25th anniversary of the 911 attack on the Twin Towers in New York. Who knew that the first plane allowed back in the skies over that city would be an RAAF Hercules on an important mission? The story is worth a read.

07/09/2026

With much sadness, we report that Mr Charles Schofield, an honoured Life Member of Mt Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch, passed away peacefully yesterday.
Charlie, as he was affectionately known, reached the grand old age of 103 in July this year.

At age 18 yrs, he enlisted in the Army during World War Two and fought on the island of Morotai and also in North Borneo. The Battle of Morotai began on 15th September 1944 and continued until the end of the war in August 1945, so Charlie would have been in the thick of it for almost 12 months.

After the war finished, he married his sweetheart, Norma, in 1949. At that time, many products were still in short supply following the war, including house bricks. Having been given a block of land from Norma's father, Charlie decided that rather than wait for who knows how long till he could source bricks, he would make his own. And he did – all twenty-two thousand of them, white in colour and imprinted with a special pattern - a real labour of love!

He was an active member of our Sub-Branch and served on the Committee in various positions for many, many years.

Rest peacefully, Charlie. Our deepest sympathies to Norma and all his family.
LEST WE FORGET.