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
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!
This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring local leaders to walk in the footsteps of our Veterans. Please review all details attached and share with your!.
OUTRIGGER CANOEING - Cronulla 0900 28 March 2026, sent to the City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch by Amanda from Invictus Australia
"I just wanted to share a new event coming up at the end of this month – Outrigger Canoeing at Gunnamatta Park on Saturday 28 March 0900-1100. Outrigger canoeing builds fitness, mateship, and resilience. Paddling together helps recreate the sense of purpose, trust, and connection.
This is a FREE activity for the Defence Community – serving, former serving & family members. We provide canoes, paddles, safety gear and one on one instruction before heading out on the water with our experienced paddlers. Just bring clothing that you don’t mind getting wet, a cap, sun protection, sunglasses, water and a willingness to have a go!
Public parking is opposite 2 Taloombi Street, Cronulla. Our outrigger canoes are at the southern end of the park. Please share with your network if suitable and of course, come along if you wish. Ämanda
There’s a quiet tension that sits in your chest when the news starts talking about the Middle East again… when words like “strikes,” “retaliation,” and “deployment” start showing up everywhere. And now, with the U.S. and Israel launching attacks on Iran and Iran responding with strikes on U.S. bases, it all suddenly feels very real again.
You don’t need all of the details to feel it, it’s just there and you dont like it.
You feel it in the way you check your phone a little more.
In the way your mind jumps ahead to “what if.”
In the way you look at your kids a little longer today.
Because you know what this can mean.
As a Veteran spouse or family member you know the possibility of long nights, of unknown timelines, of plans changing in an instant. You know the strength it takes to hold everything together at home while your heart is somewhere else.
And maybe no one around you is talking about it…
but you feel it anyway.
So if that’s you —if your heart feels a little heavier, if your anxiety is creeping in, if you’re trying to stay strong but also feeling the weight of it all— please know that you are not alone.
There is a whole Veteran and family community of us carrying that same quiet burden.
Holding our families a little closer. All hoping, more than anything, for peace.
Veterans and their famillies know only to well what it means to go without, they understand the uncertainty that comes with Military Service and the truly scary times that come with Military conflict.
The City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch reaches out and offers support to any Veteran, their families and partners who would like some comradery, someone to chat too.
We all hope that the fighting stops soon; however, be assured that the sub-Branch is available and willing to assist if we can.
“We Will Remember Them”
“Lest We Forget”
Photo- Anthony Eddie, returning home to Sydney after deployment to Afghanistan April 2010.
