Page 95 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 9 February 2016
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Bill agreed to.
Adjournment
Motion by (Dr Bourke) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
Centenary of the Returned and Services League
MR COE (Ginninderra) (4.56): I rise this afternoon to speak about the Returned and Services League of Australia, the RSL. Last November I was privileged to attend the launch of the centenary year of the RSL at the National Library. Founded in 1916 the RSL is one of Australia’s oldest and most respected national organisations. For 100 years it has supported serving and ex-service defence force members and their families around Australia. This is incredibly significant work. The RSL preserves the memory of those who have suffered and died in the service of our nation. It provides welfare and assistance to members, their partners and their children and it supports those making the transition to civilian life. It is non-partisan political, it is not sectarian, it is bound together by the shared experiences of men and women, and it has a deep and ongoing commitment to the welfare of this country and its people.
Led by Rear-Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN as national president since September 2009, the RSL continues to advocate on behalf of serving and former defence force personnel. Here in the ACT the RSL is led by: Peter Eveille; deputy president, Jim Gilchrist; vice presidents, Mrs Sandra King and Mr Gerard Pratt; treasurer, Mr Peter Collas; chief executive officer, Mr James Davidson; welfare officer, Mr Peter Collas; office manager and website administrator, Mr Dave Mills; the editor of Stand To, Mr John King; branch auditor, Mr Kim Hannah FCA; and Capital Lawyers serve as the branch solicitors.
I also pay tribute to the leadership of each of the sub branches in the ACT as part of the ACT sub branch, including: Barton-Capital, Mr David R Cossart; Belconnen, Air Vice Marshal Mac Weller AM (Ret’d); Campbell-Russell, Robin Vickery; the City of Canberra, Jan Paulga; Gungahlin, David Franklin; Hellenic, Mr Peter Tsikleas; Peacekeepers, Gary Brodie OAM; Tuggeranong, David Woolf; Vietnamese sub branch, Vy Tran; Woden Valley, Jim Gilchrist; and the overseas sub branches forming part of the ACT branch from Port Moresby, Mr Glenn Maitland; Subic Bay in the Philippines, Mr Albert Clifford; and in Washington, USA, Colonel Dr Richard Southby. I thank them all for their military service to Australia and for their ongoing service to their communities here in Canberra and elsewhere around the world.
In June this year the RSL will hold its national conference in Melbourne. I understand this year’s conference not only will touch on the history of the RSL but also focus on the ways the organisation is continuing to evolve as it serves a new generation of members and veterans. We should be grateful for the important role the RSL continues to play in our community and for its work in helping serving and former members of our defence force and their families.
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