Warragul RSL

02/06/2026

WRSL Models Group.
Facilitated by Brent Wilson, the group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10.00am.

Members welcome, no need to book, join Brent and others for a cuppa and some crafty work. For information call Brent on 0439911118
https://warragulrsl.com.au/Scale-Model-and-Diorama-Building-Group

30/05/2026

Ales On Albert Friday May 29.

A busy night - Ordinary General Meeting [OGM] and Monthly Dinner.

Acting President Mark Buttner presided over the brief OGM which was necessary to formally endorse Lynn Mizzen as State Exec Member. A strong attendance of service members saw the motion moved seconded and carried unanimously. There being no general business the meeting was closed in what Mark described as record time - 6 minutes.

The dinner was fully booked.

Thanks to lead caterer Brent Wilson and his team of volunteers. An enjoyable two course meal Chicken Schnitzel, wedges and Veg followed by an Apple Crumble, custard and dessert. Well done Caterers.

John Sage was behind the bar.

26/05/2026

Todays Gazette - Ben Vahland shares his serious concerns regarding DVA's intention to limit DVA Allied Health treatment.

25/05/2026

Warragul RSL Executive 2026.

Pictured below are the current members of WRSL Exec.

Treasurer, Gerardine Crew, Vice President - Governance, Lou Brown, Operations Officer, Rob Brown, Secretary Dave Harrison, President Lynn Mizen, Senior Vice President and Operations Manager, Mark Buttner, Vice President - Communications, Bob Green.

22/05/2026

Ales on Albert Friday May 22 2026.

Acting President Mark Buttner welcomed members and guests and reminded us about the upcoming OGM Friday May 28 at 5.30pm. Mark also said there are spots available for the monthly dinner, but be quick to secure a booking.

We also acknowledged it was Terry Gleesons 80th birthday and Blue got the happy birthday song underway.

Marlene and Sally catered - Mick and Jessica were taking care of the bar.

21/05/2026

WRSL Ordinary General Meeting.

Notice of Ordinary General Meeting of Members 17.30hrs – Friday 29th May 2026 Notice is hereby given that an Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the Warragul RSL Sub-Branch will be held at 5.30 p.m. on Friday 29th May at the Warragul RSL for the following purpose:

Meeting Agenda 1. Endorsement of the nomination of Warragul RSL President Lynn Mizen as State Vice President on the RSL Victoria State Executive (STEX) as an elected member for a three-year period.
The Ordinary General Meeting has been called to meet the recently advised critical timelines required for the Warragul RSL to support Lynn Mizen’s nomination and submit to the RSL Victoria Returning Officer by 5.00 pm on the 5th June 2026.

Pursuant to State Branch By-Law 21B (c) (1) the quorum for the ordinary general meeting shall comprise those Service and Life members and Affiliates present at the appointed time, subject to the proviso that the number of Service and Life members (who are not Sub-Branch Officers or Committee persons) present exceeds the number of Sub-Branch Officers and Committee members present.

This means that we require a minimum of 10 Service and Life Members who are not current Sub Branch Officers or Committee persons to be present at the meeting. Your support in attending this meeting to facilitate the nomination would be much appreciated. It is a great opportunity for us to have representation on the RSL Victoria State Executive.

19/05/2026

Extract from RSL article.

The Albanese Government has also confirmed it will achieve almost $780 million in savings across the veterans’ support system over five years, including through the introduction of a new $5,000 Annual Monetary Limit on allied health services for Veteran Card holders.

The 2026-27 Federal Budget delivers a long-overdue win for veteran healthcare — but RSL Australia is calling out the fine print.

✅ $169.7 million to increase allied health provider fees — the biggest investment in over two decades
❌ Nearly $780 million in savings measures, including a new $5,000 annual cap on allied health services

RSL Australia National President, Peter Tinley AM, put it plainly: "Veterans and their families will rightly question a Budget that gives with one hand while taking with the other."

“I have been given assurances by the Government that the $5,000 cap will not apply to any veteran with a genuine clinical need.”

Read our full response: www.rslaustralia.org/latest-news/budget-2026-27-response-healthcare

19/05/2026

Ben Vahland [Manager of Baw Baw Veterans and Family Centre] raises serious concerns as to the affects of the budget relating to the capping of certain treatments for Veterans.

Allied Health Cap For Veterans - As announced in the Budget.

Ben shares his concerns with Mary Aldred and others.

Open Letter to the Honourable Member for Monash

18 May 2026

Dear Mary,

I am writing to you not only as an injured veteran, but as someone who has spent years advocating for veterans and their families.

Through my leadership positions in an Ex-Service Organisation, advocacy work and my own lived experience, I have seen firsthand the consequences of inadequate support, delayed treatment, chronic pain, trauma, isolation, and systems that fail the very people they were meant to protect.

That is why I am deeply concerned by the Federal Government’s decision to introduce a $5,000 annual cap on allied health care for veterans.

For many Australians, allied health services may sound optional. For injured veterans, they are not. They are a necessity.

Physiotherapy helps manage lifelong physical injuries sustained during service. Psychology supports veterans living with trauma, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Exercise physiology and occupational therapy assist veterans to remain employed, support their families, maintain independence, and retain some quality of life after service.

These services are not luxuries. They are essential.

What concerns me most is that this cap will force injured veterans to make impossible decisions about which aspects of their health they can afford to prioritise. No veteran should have to choose between managing physical pain or protecting their mental health simply because of an arbitrary funding limit.

That burden of decision-making is being placed on people who are already unwell, already vulnerable, and already carrying the long-term consequences of their service.

The reality is that many injured veterans will exceed this cap quickly. Service-related injuries do not disappear after a handful of appointments, nor do they neatly fit within a budget measure.

When the funding runs out, veterans are left with impossible choices: pay out of pocket, stop treatment, or watch their physical and mental health deteriorate further. Maybe even the decision of if their family is better off without them.

It is my strongly held belief that this policy will increase the rate of veteran su***de.

Not because veterans are weak, but because untreated trauma, chronic pain, financial stress, loss of support, and isolation are all recognised risk factors for su***de. Reducing access to care does not reduce need. It simply leaves vulnerable people with fewer supports during periods of crisis.

I also request that this letter is provided to the former Commissioners of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Su***de, particularly Mr Nick Kaldas, whom I spoke with personally during the Royal Commission process.

It is my strong belief that policies which restrict treatment and rehabilitation access for injured veterans are entirely contrary to the intent and spirit of the Royal Commission’s work and findings.

The Royal Commission heard countless stories from veterans and families who suffered after falling through gaps in care, support, and accountability. Its purpose was to prevent further harm — not create additional barriers to treatment for those already struggling.

Australia asked us to serve. We accepted the risks and responsibilities that came with that service. Many of us returned home carrying injuries that will last a lifetime.
To now place arbitrary financial limits on essential care sends a devastating message: that injured veterans are no longer viewed as people deserving support, but as costs to contain.

I also wish to express my profound disappointment with the manner in which this policy was presented publicly by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mr Matt Keogh. Assurances that veterans will not miss out on healthcare simply do not align with the lived reality of injured veterans who rely on ongoing treatment to function day to day.

I ask you to publicly oppose this cap and advocate for veterans to retain access to the treatment and rehabilitation they need.
Supporting veterans must not end once the uniform comes off.

Please also provide this letter to the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, The Hon. Michael McCormack MP.
Copy also sent to the Honourable Member for Narracan, Mr Wayne Farnham.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Vahland

19/05/2026

My Service My Story R.A.N.

The fourth and final podcast in this series was by Heidi Burke.

Warragul and Drouin Gazette journalist Bonnie Collings compiled a summary of Heidi's Navy service in the feature article on page 14 of todays Gazette.

13/05/2026

"My Service My Story R.A.N" Podcast Series".

The four part series produced in collaboration with the Warragul and Drouin Gazette, features Gippsland Navy Veterans - all females.

This weeks Gazette contained the third feature article titled "Call of The Ocean" featuring Warragul RSL Veteran, our Appeals and also our Ales on Albert Bar Manager, Kylie Sage. The article was written and produced by Warragul and Drouin Gazette journalist, Bonnie Collings.

The fourth and final podcast in the "My Service My Story R.A.N" series will be out soon

To read the full article, grab yourself a copy of the Gazette or subscribe on line.

https://www.thegazette.com.au/subscription-options/