Rochester RSL Sub Branch

Rochester RSL Sub Branch Rochester RSL Sub Branch has been providing support to veterans in the local and wider community for New members are always welcome.

Rochester RSL Sub Branch is a traditional Sub Branch that has been providing support to veterans in the local and wider community for over 100 years. Veterans can join the Rochester RSL Sub Branch as Service Members, Family of Veterans and Emergency Service Personal as Affiliate Members, and we also welcome any community members to join us as Social Members. General Meetings are held the first Wed

nesday of each month, and a family-friendly social event is held on the second Wednesday of each month. Please get contact us via messenger to obtain further information.

26/08/2026
26/08/2026

Today, we remember Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 26182, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 44954.

One year ago today, they were killed while serving and protecting the Victorian community.

Today, and every day, we honour these brave men and remember the ultimate sacrifice they made in the line of duty.

We will remember.
We will remember.

19/08/2026

Dave Sabben was just 21 when he faced impossible odds at Long Tan. He still can't believe he survived. Link below.

17/08/2026

The Battle of Long Tan lasted four hours. Harry Smith's battle lasted forty years.

Sixty years ago today, Major Harry Smith led the 108 men of D Company, 6RAR against a force of up to 2,500 in a rubber plantation in torrential rain. They held for close to four hours. Eighteen Australians were killed, many of them National Servicemen.

For his leadership that day, Smith was recommended for the Distinguished Service Order. The system gave him a Military Cross instead, and marked down his soldiers' awards too.

He never accepted it. For the next four decades he wrote submissions, fought reviews and wore down governments until, in 2008, his award was upgraded to the Star of Gallantry and his men finally received what their original citations had asked for. He died in 2023, two days after the battle's anniversary, still their commander to the end.

That is the real story of the Vietnam generation. They fought once overseas, then had to fight again at home, for their parade, their recognition and their care. Nobody should have to do that. Making sure of it is exactly why the RSL exists.

To every Vietnam veteran and every family of one: today is your day. Lest we forget.

Want to keep up to date? Grab the President's Newsletter:
https://www.rsl.org.au/RSL-National-Presidents-Newsletter

09/08/2026
07/08/2026

Ever wondered what happens to all that military training when the uniform comes off? The 2021 Census told us.

Veterans are more likely to be working full time (56% vs 44%), earn more, and are concentrated in the industries that keep our country running: public safety, healthcare, construction, engineering. They volunteer at 1.36 times the rate of people who never served.

The clearance expires, but the capability does not. These are people who transitioned and kept contributing, and we had never properly measured that until the Census asked the question.

On 11 August the Census goes out again. Every response builds the case that our veterans are a national asset, not a cost line.


President's Newsletter: https://www.rsl.org.au/RSL-National-Presidents-Newsletter

05/08/2026
03/08/2026

Address

5a Victoria Street
Rochester, VIC
3561

Opening Hours

7pm - 9pm

Website

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