Commemoration
RSL NSW and sub-Branches organise and deliver the major commemorative events across New South Wales to honour the service and sacrifice of Australian service men and women. The most well-known of these take place on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day, and are complemented by commemorations throughout the year to remember particular segments of those who have served. Through these commemorative activities, we remember and respect those who have served and sacrificed for Australia.
Camaraderie
For more than 100 years the Returned and Services League has provided a continuation of the unique camaraderie and mateship that people find during service in the Australian Defence Force. Through our network of more than 340 sub-Branches and chapters we bring together over 27,000 members who have served from a variety of backgrounds and contexts in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. This mateship among ex-Defence personnel is at the heart of what RSL NSW is and is highly valued by our members and the veteran community.
Support
Meeting the needs of veterans and their families has been central to the RSL’s mission since its inception. Today we provide support through our network of sub-Branches, as well as through our partner charities, RSL LifeCare which includes RSL DefenceCare.
sub-Branches As the local presence of services and support in New South Wales communities, sub-Branches exist to be of service to veterans and their families. In addition to the face-to-face support and mateship they can offer, sub-Branches can inform and connect veterans and families to the range services available to them.
Events
Proposed – Wellebing / Social – Australian War Memorial Tour
23/06/2026
Approved Funding, details yet TBC. Approved subsidised funding.
Cuppa & Chat
24/06/2026
0930-1030 – ‘The Gather Café’, Penrith RSL Club – every Wednesday
Cuppa & Chat
01/07/2026
0930-1030 – ‘The Gather Café’, Penrith RSL Club – every Wednesday
A brief history of Memory Park War Memorial
In 2004 the Sub-Branch raised a committee to oversee the redevelopment of the Memory Park Memorial. The new Memorial was designed and built by local sculptor Terrence Plowright. The work commenced in early 2007, and was completed in late 2008. The dedication of the redeveloped War Memorial was by Her Excellency
Memorabilia Display
The Memorial Display is located to the right at the top of the escalators inside the Penrith RSL Club’s entrance.
We welcome all to come visit!
Melissa is a qualified RSL NSW Wellbeing Support Officer (WSO) and is inspired to establish and ADF partners social group, locally, which will continue to grow. She is married to Patrick (current RAAF, Orchard Hills) and they have one son, Ben who is 3 years old.
Melissa is a very busy Mum, currently studying her Nursing degree at University and living life as an ADF partner. We are truly grateful and very lucky to have Melissa as a Voluteer of our sub-Branch Team. Melissa was asked some questions, so our Members could get to know a little more about her;
Where did you grow up? Caboolture, QLD
What did you do after School? Straight to university
What was your primary job during service? Wife, Mother, Employee
What has been your most rewarding role / job thus far? Emergency Medical Dispatcher for Queensland Ambulance Service
What has been the hardest part of being a ADF Spouse? The isolation
Most rewarding? The uniform
Most favourite sports team? N/A
Music you listen to? Wide range - 1940's to early 2000's
Who is your personal hero or role model? Jen Hamilton (USA Midwife) and Clarissa 'Clara' Barton American nurse and founder of the American Red Cross
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Sewing and reading
What is one surprising fact about you? I am a TV star, catch me on Ambulance Australia season 4
What is your favorite meal? Depends on my mood, safe bets are lasagna and chocolate
What is your favorite movie or book? The Book Thief by Marcus Zuzak (dont watch the movie)
What advice would you give a new ADF Veteran partner? You don't have to do it alone, sometimes to get a village you have to be the one to build it
Where do you live now? Penrith, NSW
Other than Volunteer work, what else are you up to now? Mother and Wife, full time university
Who lives with you at home (family / pets etc)?
1x Husband
1x Son
2x Dogs, Corgis - Ace and Pilot
3x Cats - Pearl, Winter, Mouse
What will you be doing In 10 years? More kids, more cats, less uni, same RSL sub-Branch!
Please join us in welcoming Melissa to our sub-Branch, feel free to introduce yourself to her at our weekly Wednesday ''Cuppa & Chat'' gathering (9:30am, Penrith RSL Cafe).
RSL NSW sub-Branches
We met the charter boat at 6am at Wollongong Harbor and were back by 1:pm. Plenty of fish were caught on a great boat, and Skipper.
The charter boat can cater for groups of 10 people easily, the boat is safe, the Skipper is highly experienced and its very relaxing on the water.
It’s a great way to spend some time with mates in the outdoors. Whether you are a prolific fisher or new to the game, everyone can be lucky if your fishing.
#It’s More Than Fishing
Australian Veteran = anyone who has served in our Army, Navy or RAAF, was regular or reserve for at least one day.
Today, we launch our ‘Young Australian Veterans, Penrith, NSW’ initiative which includes the partners of Veterans and their children.
Our sub-Branch will do everything within our powers to support younger Veterans and their families when we can, but if we don’t know we can’t help.
Please help us to understand and organise inclusive events that will suit the needs of current and former, younger ADF members, their partners and children.
We are genuinely looking for some younger Veterans to meet up and discuss viable activities that will suit the cohort, locally. Please reach out so we can catch up and have a chat some time.
All comments and or messages will be respected.
