Caulfield RSL Welfare
Caulfield RSL has been in existence for almost 100 years - founded as a social club by members of the Caulfield Military Hospital, we were granted our Sub-Branch Charter on 11 February 1919.
Whilst many things have changed in the last 100 years, one thing that hasn't is the purpose of the Returned and Services League - to provide welfare to the ex-service community and their dependants.
That purpose is reflected in our Corporate Vision Statement, our Mission Statement and our Core Values.
Our Vision Statement is : To be the Club of choice, while honouring the spirit of ANZAC and the ethos of the RSL, for our local community.
Our Mission is to: Provide welfare and support for the defence and ex-service community ~ Bring community together in the spirit of ANZAC ~ Provide a space where those who feel a connection to the legacy, purpose and history of the RSL can meet and be entertained ~ Provide value for our members and guests through our food and entertainment.
Our Core Values are: Mateship & loyalty ~ Integrity & honour ~ Compassion & inclusiveness ~ Respect for history and a passion for teaching it.
Our welfare programs benefit current and former Veterans, their partners and children. Welfare assistance can include payments for essentials such as food, medicines and clothing, arranging financial assistance, provision of mobility, rehabilitation devices or emergency pendants or services and assistance that allow people to remain in their own homes, such as gardening, house cleaning or lawn mowing services.
The definition of Veteran under Victorian legislation is; "a veteran is someone who has served, or is serving in the Armed Forces of Australia, or the forces of another Commonwealth (i.e New Zealand, United Kingdom, India) or Allied (i.e United States of America, France) country. The individual does not need to have seen active/ warlike service overseas to meet the definition. Both full-time/regular and part-time/ reserve service falls within the criteria."
A veteran does not have to be a member of the RSL to receive welfare.
If you require assistance, please contact our Welfare Officer, Greg Parr, on 9528 3600 or email [email protected]
50th anniversary vietnam Commemorative medallion
To acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will produce a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration.
The medallion and certificate will be made available to every living veteran, widows of veterans and other family members of veterans of the Vietnam War. Please note that only one medallion is available per Vietnam War veteran. While Australia can never repay the debt we owe to the 60,000 who served in Vietnam, this medallion and certificate are a small but meaningful way to honour their service and to recognise the sacrifice of those who never returned home.
The obverse design features the Commonwealth Coat of Arms with 'Vietnam War' inscribed at the top and 'Australia Remembers' at the bottom. The reverse side features words of thanks at the bottom with the years 1962-73 inscribed at the top to represent the years in which Australia was involved in the Vietnam War. The medallion also features depictions of a UH-1 Iroquois 'Huey' Helicopter, HMAS Sydney (III) 'Vung Tau Ferry' and an Australian solider holding an SLR.
The medallion will be presented in a display case and will include a card that explains the design and contains a brief expression of thanks.
The design of the commemorative certificate will complement the medallion. The design includes the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, ‘Australia Remembers’ wording and includes the signature of both the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.
The certificate will be contained within its own folder that will allow for independent display, framing and mounting.
Applications can be made online at National Mail & Marketing via THIS LINK.
Victoria thanks Australian Defence Force (ADF) members for their service.
Please read below information from the Victorian Government's 'Services Victoria' Website.
The digital Veterans Card - Victoria entitles all past and present ADF members living in Victoria to discounts and benefits including:
- $100 off light vehicle rego
- free trailer and caravan rego
- free marine licence
- fishing licence exemption
- free transport on ANZAC and Remembrance Days
- veteran employment programs
Visit Concessions for Veterans for a full list of benefits.
Who can apply:
All past and present ADF members, living in Victoria, can get a digital Veterans card. You can be on active duty, a veteran, or in the reserves.
Civilian ADF employees aren't eligible for the digital Veterans card.
What you'll need:
One of 3 ID numbers:
- PMKeyS number
- Regimental or Service number
- DVA Card number
You'll also need to share 2 identity documents with us.
Choose from:
- Medicare card
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian driver licence / learner permit (current)
- Australian passport current or less than three years expired
- ImmiCard current or less than 3 years expired
- Foreign passport with a valid Australian visa with working rights
- Australian citizenship certificate
Your names on the 2 documents must match.
How we use your information
We'll pass on your info to the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to get your Veterans Card - Victoria. The Victorian acts that cover this collection notice include:
- Service Victoria Act 2018
- Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014
- Public Records Act 1973
- Health Records Act 2001
We also collect anonymous data on how you use the card that may be shared with other Government departments and agencies. We won't use your info for any other purpose unless permitted by law. You can contact us to get your personal info or the DFFH to get more info about the program.
Learn more about how we use your info at Service Victoria. You can also see how we'll use the info you give us when you apply for a Veterans card.
Follow the link below to go to the Victian Government webpage to start yoiur applicaction
If you require assistance with the application, please email us
RSL Victoria statement regarding the Brereton Report into Afghanistan
The Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) recently released the long-awaited Afghanistan Inquiry, also known as the Brereton report. The report outlines very serious allegations of wrongdoing by a small number of current or former ADF personnel between 2005-2016.
To everyone who served in Afghanistan, in any role, you should be justly proud of your contribution. You made a difference, and you served your country with honour. Nothing will ever change that. Be proud and stand tall.
The RSL has always been there for our veterans, and at this time, the wellbeing of veterans directly and indirectly involved must be our priority.
RSL Victoria can help connect current members of the ADF and veterans with counselling and mental health support as well as direct welfare, advocacy and wellbeing services. Victorian Veterans in need of support can contact your local RSL Sub-Branch or RSL Victoria’s Veteran Central (VETCEN) between the hours of 9-5 Monday to Friday via 1300 MILVET (1300 645 838).
24-hour support is also available through Open Arms – Veterans & Family Counselling. You can contact Open Arms via 1800 011 046.
Additional support services are listed on the Defence website.
Wellness & Exercise programs for Veterans
Did you know that DVA funds wellness and exercise programs for Veterans?
Entitled Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients may be referred for clinically necessary Exercise Physiology treatment by their medical practitioner through a range of providers. DVA will fully fund eligible veterans to attend programs supervised by university qualified health professionals called Exercise Physiologists in programs which involve exercise prescription that are safe and clinically effective.
One such company, NJF Wellness Centres, offers Exercise Physiology services include the delivery of clinical exercise intervention to manage chronic disease and the provision of post-acute exercise rehabilitation for people recovering from major injury or illness.
Exercise Physiology contributes to the management of: Age related conditions, Falls prevention and balance, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Osteoporosis and Arthritis, Mobility, ROM and flexibility, Cancer, Anxiety and depression, Obesity, Muscular conditioning of a chronic nature (ie. Lower back pain)
To find out more about their program, contact NJF Wellness Centres on 1300 890 507
ANZAC badge & Poppy Appeal collections benefits welfare
The annual ANZAC badge and Remembrance Day Poppy appeals are vital in raising funds for our Welfare.
We are always looking for volunteers who are able to spend some time packing boxes, delivering to schools and businesses and shaking collection tins at railway stations and shopping centres. We also appreciate people taking trays and tins to their workplace for their colleagues to purchase.
If you are able to assist, please contact our Secretary, Russell Phillips at [email protected]
A Soldier Lived in My House
The Caulfield RSL was established in 1917 by the Soldiers that came back, usually as wounded, from Gallipoli and the Western front. At the conclusion of the war along with the rest of the servicemen, quite a few of them settled in the Caulfield area, and joined their mates as members of Caulfield RSL at 4 St Georges Rd Elsternwick.
Some of these are the men who stories are told in this book, not by the men themselves but by their descendants or residents who now live in those houses.
Caulfield RSL sub branch is very proud to be associated with the publication of this book and the associated walking tour of properties that are connected to World War I, as they both reflect on the men who helped established our club. The award winning book “My Brother Jack” which is referred to in the walking tour, partly tells of the lives of those men, although using fictitious characters.
Many local residents and relatives have contributed individual stories to make up this book. As President of the RSL I congratulate them for their efforts and I believe this book will be a contribution to the exciting local history of the suburb which is now called Glen Eira. Perhaps it will encourage others to look at the house they live in, and research who lived there before them and see if those people performed some of the gallant deeds that the soldiers of World War I did. Colin Bradley - President
Copies of the book are available from the Club