Women Veteran Forums report launched at RSL Victoria’s International Women’s Day
RSL Victoria today launched its Women Veteran Forums Report as part of its International Women’s Day celebration.
The report comes after the Federal Government funded the Women Veteran Forums that were conducted across the state by RSL Victoria in late 2025.
The event, hosted by RSL Victoria State Executive member Pela Markogiannakis, was attended by representatives from RSL Sub-Branches across Victoria, along with those that participated in the forums.
The morning was highlighted by State Vice President Lynn Mizen presenting the findings and recommendations of the report, and a powerful discussion she moderated with Stacey Bernardin from Wodonga RSL Sub-Branch.
Stacey’s experience as a young woman in service was difficult due to various forms of gender-based discrimination and harassment. She spoke to Lynn about her reckoning with that experience many years on, her involvement in the Women Veteran Forums, and her ambitions to right wrongs for future generations.
The report articulated nine recommendations as ambitions for the RSL network:
- Establish an advocacy agenda & create a Women Veteran Liaison Group (WVLG).
- Build a central resource for women veterans.
- Strengthen partnerships with ex-service organisations and community providers.
- Establish a veteran women’s networking and leadership program.
- Set inclusive standards for Sub-Branches and require a Zero Tolerance pledge to sexism, bullying, and harassment.
- Modernise programming. Offer events and programs that are relevant to veteran needs.
- Improve communication with veterans.
- Improve visibility and representation of women.
- Create a more consistent brand, including an environmental brand.
While some of these goals are already embedded in day-to-day work of RSL Victoria, others will take shape over the coming years.
The establishment members of the WVLG were announced by Lynn this morning.
- Marianne Doyle (Hawthorn RSL Sub-Branch) – Sub-Branch Committee Member, marketing and communications professional and Navy veteran
- Stacey Bernardin (Wodonga RSL Sub-Branch) – Sub-Branch Committee Member, post-service psychologist and Army veteran
- Kerryanne Graham (Sea Lake RSL Sub-Branch) – Sub-Branch President, Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and holds other qualifications
- Bruna (Bellu) Norrish (Keilor East RSL Sub-Branch)- Member of Women Veteran Network Australia (WVNA).
The Executive Summary of the Women Veteran Forums report can be read HERE.
