Mark Schröffel new RSL Victoria State President
Dr Mark Schröffel has been elected unopposed as RSL Victoria’s President at the State Annual Conference in Melbourne today.
The video interview of Dr Schröffel on assuming the Presidency of RSL Victoria can be viewed here.
Dr Schröffel says he believes the RSL is entering a period of important and necessary change that may be the most significant in generations.
“It’s a serious responsibility, and I take it on with a strong commitment to supporting the organisation through this period of transition,” he said.
Dr Schröffel’s key objective as President is to build on RSL Victoria’s established place in the community to ensure it is ready to meet the needs of current and future generations of veterans.
“We are a not-for-profit charity that supports veterans and their families,” he said.
“Not-for-profits that are able to evolve are the ones best placed for the future, so we know that change is required for us to continue to meet our purpose.”
At 56, Dr Schröffel is the first post-Vietnam President of RSL Victoria.
An Army Captain in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, he served in peacekeeping operations with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia.
Dr Schröffel participated in the recent Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and is confident his background and experience will be assets to the future direction of RSL Victoria’s welfare programs.
“The Royal Commission’s Final Report was heartbreaking, and it was indicative of how central the wellbeing of veterans is to civilian adjustment.”
“This is our day-to-day; we are a charity increasingly dealing directly with mental health and physical wellbeing.”
“We recognise the efforts of those that came before us, in particular outgoing President Dr Robert Webster,” Dr Schröffel said.
In addition, he sees diversification of revenue sources as crucial to RSL Victoria’s future.
“We are looking at a variety of ways that we can leverage off our existing assets across the network to strengthen our financial future.”
“Diversification is needed so we have a sustainable business model for the future.”
Currently 51 of RSL Victoria’s 262 Sub-Branches have gaming facilities, though Dr Schröffel understands that reliance on gaming may change too.
“We cannot ignore that the expectations of some communities are changing. Every Sub-Branch has the right to reduce their reliance on gaming.”
“Whether regulatory or community-driven, change in this space is perpetual. It’s up to us to find new revenue sources that future-proof veteran and family support.”
After leaving the ADF Dr Schröffel has had a 30-year career in in corporate governance, strategic advisory, and organisational transformation, most recently as a co-founder of Schröffel Renwick Beeson.
He has been President of Bentleigh RSL Sub-Branch since 2023.
