Message from RSL Victoria State President

RSL Victoria would like to clarify some issues around media reporting of ANZAC Day funding.

As the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide made clear, veteran assistance from the RSL is needed more than ever before.

More demand for assistance means we need to raise more funds.

To deal with that increased demand, RSL Victoria is looking at ways to increase our resources.

Within the Sub-Branch network there are a range of views about how we can provide more funding for veteran services.

Providing support to veterans and their families and upholding commemoration are both central to the mission of RSL Victoria. RSL Victoria would never consider walking away from ANZAC Day services at the Shrine of Remembrance, but it’s true that the increasing costs of running events of this nature are a challenge.

We receive some government funding, but the bulk of expenses are shouldered by RSL Victoria which can total up to $500,000.   In addition, the RSL in Victoria delivers more than 600 commemorative services outside of the Melbourne ANZAC Day services that total another $500,000.

Every dollar spent on ANZAC Day services is money that cannot be spent on other areas of our work and supporting veterans to get the help they need.

Over 40,000 members of the public attend ANZAC Day services in Melbourne, with an estimated 300,000 Victorians attending RSL -led commemorations across the State. We are seeking alternative ways to fund all types of services, including ANZAC Day, so that current revenue can be put to meeting increasing demands for veteran assistance.

There are 261 RSL Sub-Branches in Victoria that cover every corner of the state and cover every age and demographic.

Naturally, there are different views among our membership base and there always has been. The RSL is a broad community and everybody’s views matter.

What we are united on is that we exist to help veterans in need.

Collectively we have much to be proud of on that front.

In 2024 RSL Sub-Branches provided various levels of support to more than 22,000 veterans across Victoria. That work helped gain tens of millions of dollars in lump sum compensation payments and a place of safety for our most vulnerable veterans.

Volunteers contributed more than 305,611 hours on veteran support work and commemoration, while also helping raise more than $8 million through the ANZAC and Poppy Appeals to support welfare initiatives for veterans.

That’s a significant and united contribution.

We believe that we are called to do more though.

Together we are taking steps to build an organisation that’s fit for the future needs of veterans, a lot of it informed by the findings of the Royal Commission.

One of those steps is undertaking an independent operational and governance review throughout 2025.

Identifying operational efficiencies, modernising structures and maximising revenue streams will be part of that review.

We are at a critical, but exciting, juncture in the history of the RSL.

I’m confident that our membership base of more than 190,000 can continue a century-long legacy to assist new generations of veterans as a pillar of the Victorian community.