Century-old Kew RSL ordered to close over ‘failures in supporting veterans'
In a statement on Monday night, the state RSL office said concerns for the reputation of the wider organisation influenced its decision to close the doors of the century-old sub-branch in Melbourne's east for a year.
Kew RSL, founded in 1920, two years after World War I ended, is based at the stately Wilton House in Cotham Road, Kew.
RSL Victoria's statement said issues the sub-branch committee had failed to address included 'not fulfilling the objects and purposes of the RSL in supporting veterans and their families'.
Other issues included not having an elected committee and not abiding by the rules and by-laws of the RSL in the conduct of a sub-branch.
RSL Victoria said it had given repeated notices to the sub-branch, informing it of its 'failure to meet its ongoing obligations'.
'A response received by RSL Victoria on 12 June 2025 failed to demonstrate that those concerns were being adequately addressed,' the statement said.
'Subsequently, RSL Victoria has suspended the charter of the sub-branch in accordance with the RSL rules.'
RSL state president Des Callaghan said in the statement that the RSL Victoria suspension, effective for 12 months and during which it may further investigate, had been made reluctantly.
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The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'One of the older men catcalled me': new research reveals RSL woman problem
Imagine serving your country overseas, returning home and feeling unwelcome in the very place meant to support you. That's what happened to a 44-year-old Australian Army officer who attended a local Returned and Services League (RSL) lunch while on leave. She recalls: Her story is far from unique. Our research from the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University reveals many women feel unwelcome in RSL spaces. Some leave. Others never join. Women describe subtle but persistent exclusion. One said: Another nicknamed her local RSL, dominated by older male veterans from the Vietnam War era, a "Vietnam veteran club", closed off to women and younger members. There she found walls lined with portraits of men in uniform, sexist jokes left unchallenged, and questions about the legitimacy of women veterans' medals. After years of falling membership and sub-branch closures, the RSL is at a crossroads. Founded in 1916 to support soldiers returning from the first world war, it offered camaraderie, assistance and a way back into civilian life. Today, 1,095 RSL sub-branches remain, barely half the number from its peak in 1946. Known for mid-week lunches, cheap drinks and Anzac Day services, the organisation was built by men, for men - a culture that still shapes how many sub-branches look, feel and operate. Fewer than 10% of the veteran population in some states choose to join their local RSL. In many branches nationally, non-veteran members now outnumber those who have served. Yet many veteran men still resist making space for women or younger veterans. One male interviewee told us bluntly: "I don't think we should change our traditions to accommodate [these] veterans". Sometimes exclusion is more direct. Sarah Case, a former sub-branch president in Queensland, recalled being labelled "a real bitch" by male branch members, adding: Deborah Langford, another woman veteran on a sub-branch committee in regional Victoria said: These issues shouldn't surprise. The RSL draws its members from the Australian Defence Force, where women have long reported sexism, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Media reporting continues to highlight how entrenched these problems remain. It's no surprise those dynamics often carry over into veteran spaces. Many RSL branches feel frozen in time: beers, bingo and military banter. But younger veterans, especially women, are juggling work, families and the long-term impacts of service, including trauma. They need safe, inclusive spaces and real support. For women who have served, especially those who experienced harassment or assault during service, traditional RSL environments can feel unsafe. One veteran said: Some branches are starting to shift and even small changes can have a real impact. One woman veteran in Queensland described the support she received from her state branch as "faultless", though she said it was only possible because she was supported by one of the few women advocates on staff. At a Queensland sub-branch, Melissa Bishop, a veteran and newly appointed committee member, fought to move meetings to weekends so people with jobs and families could take part. One woman veteran described it as "the first time I'd felt like someone had thought about veterans like me." These are modest, hard-won changes, but scattered progress alone won't undo generations of exclusion. Last year, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recommended creating a national body to better govern the veterans' non-profit sector. This presents a real opportunity to modernise veteran support. But without a strong focus on gender inclusion and cultural reform from the start, history may repeat, entrenching the same exclusions that have kept so many women veterans on the margins for decades. Women are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for veteran spaces that recognise their service, value their contributions and meet their needs. That means flexible programs, trauma-informed care, peer support and family-friendly events. The RSL now faces a defining choice: cling to outdated ideas or evolve into a space where all who have served feel they belong. Imagine serving your country overseas, returning home and feeling unwelcome in the very place meant to support you. That's what happened to a 44-year-old Australian Army officer who attended a local Returned and Services League (RSL) lunch while on leave. She recalls: Her story is far from unique. Our research from the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University reveals many women feel unwelcome in RSL spaces. Some leave. Others never join. Women describe subtle but persistent exclusion. One said: Another nicknamed her local RSL, dominated by older male veterans from the Vietnam War era, a "Vietnam veteran club", closed off to women and younger members. There she found walls lined with portraits of men in uniform, sexist jokes left unchallenged, and questions about the legitimacy of women veterans' medals. After years of falling membership and sub-branch closures, the RSL is at a crossroads. Founded in 1916 to support soldiers returning from the first world war, it offered camaraderie, assistance and a way back into civilian life. Today, 1,095 RSL sub-branches remain, barely half the number from its peak in 1946. Known for mid-week lunches, cheap drinks and Anzac Day services, the organisation was built by men, for men - a culture that still shapes how many sub-branches look, feel and operate. Fewer than 10% of the veteran population in some states choose to join their local RSL. In many branches nationally, non-veteran members now outnumber those who have served. Yet many veteran men still resist making space for women or younger veterans. One male interviewee told us bluntly: "I don't think we should change our traditions to accommodate [these] veterans". Sometimes exclusion is more direct. Sarah Case, a former sub-branch president in Queensland, recalled being labelled "a real bitch" by male branch members, adding: Deborah Langford, another woman veteran on a sub-branch committee in regional Victoria said: These issues shouldn't surprise. The RSL draws its members from the Australian Defence Force, where women have long reported sexism, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Media reporting continues to highlight how entrenched these problems remain. It's no surprise those dynamics often carry over into veteran spaces. Many RSL branches feel frozen in time: beers, bingo and military banter. But younger veterans, especially women, are juggling work, families and the long-term impacts of service, including trauma. They need safe, inclusive spaces and real support. For women who have served, especially those who experienced harassment or assault during service, traditional RSL environments can feel unsafe. One veteran said: Some branches are starting to shift and even small changes can have a real impact. One woman veteran in Queensland described the support she received from her state branch as "faultless", though she said it was only possible because she was supported by one of the few women advocates on staff. At a Queensland sub-branch, Melissa Bishop, a veteran and newly appointed committee member, fought to move meetings to weekends so people with jobs and families could take part. One woman veteran described it as "the first time I'd felt like someone had thought about veterans like me." These are modest, hard-won changes, but scattered progress alone won't undo generations of exclusion. Last year, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recommended creating a national body to better govern the veterans' non-profit sector. This presents a real opportunity to modernise veteran support. But without a strong focus on gender inclusion and cultural reform from the start, history may repeat, entrenching the same exclusions that have kept so many women veterans on the margins for decades. Women are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for veteran spaces that recognise their service, value their contributions and meet their needs. That means flexible programs, trauma-informed care, peer support and family-friendly events. The RSL now faces a defining choice: cling to outdated ideas or evolve into a space where all who have served feel they belong. Imagine serving your country overseas, returning home and feeling unwelcome in the very place meant to support you. That's what happened to a 44-year-old Australian Army officer who attended a local Returned and Services League (RSL) lunch while on leave. She recalls: Her story is far from unique. Our research from the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University reveals many women feel unwelcome in RSL spaces. Some leave. Others never join. Women describe subtle but persistent exclusion. One said: Another nicknamed her local RSL, dominated by older male veterans from the Vietnam War era, a "Vietnam veteran club", closed off to women and younger members. There she found walls lined with portraits of men in uniform, sexist jokes left unchallenged, and questions about the legitimacy of women veterans' medals. After years of falling membership and sub-branch closures, the RSL is at a crossroads. Founded in 1916 to support soldiers returning from the first world war, it offered camaraderie, assistance and a way back into civilian life. Today, 1,095 RSL sub-branches remain, barely half the number from its peak in 1946. Known for mid-week lunches, cheap drinks and Anzac Day services, the organisation was built by men, for men - a culture that still shapes how many sub-branches look, feel and operate. Fewer than 10% of the veteran population in some states choose to join their local RSL. In many branches nationally, non-veteran members now outnumber those who have served. Yet many veteran men still resist making space for women or younger veterans. One male interviewee told us bluntly: "I don't think we should change our traditions to accommodate [these] veterans". Sometimes exclusion is more direct. Sarah Case, a former sub-branch president in Queensland, recalled being labelled "a real bitch" by male branch members, adding: Deborah Langford, another woman veteran on a sub-branch committee in regional Victoria said: These issues shouldn't surprise. The RSL draws its members from the Australian Defence Force, where women have long reported sexism, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Media reporting continues to highlight how entrenched these problems remain. It's no surprise those dynamics often carry over into veteran spaces. Many RSL branches feel frozen in time: beers, bingo and military banter. But younger veterans, especially women, are juggling work, families and the long-term impacts of service, including trauma. They need safe, inclusive spaces and real support. For women who have served, especially those who experienced harassment or assault during service, traditional RSL environments can feel unsafe. One veteran said: Some branches are starting to shift and even small changes can have a real impact. One woman veteran in Queensland described the support she received from her state branch as "faultless", though she said it was only possible because she was supported by one of the few women advocates on staff. At a Queensland sub-branch, Melissa Bishop, a veteran and newly appointed committee member, fought to move meetings to weekends so people with jobs and families could take part. One woman veteran described it as "the first time I'd felt like someone had thought about veterans like me." These are modest, hard-won changes, but scattered progress alone won't undo generations of exclusion. Last year, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recommended creating a national body to better govern the veterans' non-profit sector. This presents a real opportunity to modernise veteran support. But without a strong focus on gender inclusion and cultural reform from the start, history may repeat, entrenching the same exclusions that have kept so many women veterans on the margins for decades. Women are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for veteran spaces that recognise their service, value their contributions and meet their needs. That means flexible programs, trauma-informed care, peer support and family-friendly events. The RSL now faces a defining choice: cling to outdated ideas or evolve into a space where all who have served feel they belong. Imagine serving your country overseas, returning home and feeling unwelcome in the very place meant to support you. That's what happened to a 44-year-old Australian Army officer who attended a local Returned and Services League (RSL) lunch while on leave. She recalls: Her story is far from unique. Our research from the Open Door Initiative at Flinders University reveals many women feel unwelcome in RSL spaces. Some leave. Others never join. Women describe subtle but persistent exclusion. One said: Another nicknamed her local RSL, dominated by older male veterans from the Vietnam War era, a "Vietnam veteran club", closed off to women and younger members. There she found walls lined with portraits of men in uniform, sexist jokes left unchallenged, and questions about the legitimacy of women veterans' medals. After years of falling membership and sub-branch closures, the RSL is at a crossroads. Founded in 1916 to support soldiers returning from the first world war, it offered camaraderie, assistance and a way back into civilian life. Today, 1,095 RSL sub-branches remain, barely half the number from its peak in 1946. Known for mid-week lunches, cheap drinks and Anzac Day services, the organisation was built by men, for men - a culture that still shapes how many sub-branches look, feel and operate. Fewer than 10% of the veteran population in some states choose to join their local RSL. In many branches nationally, non-veteran members now outnumber those who have served. Yet many veteran men still resist making space for women or younger veterans. One male interviewee told us bluntly: "I don't think we should change our traditions to accommodate [these] veterans". Sometimes exclusion is more direct. Sarah Case, a former sub-branch president in Queensland, recalled being labelled "a real bitch" by male branch members, adding: Deborah Langford, another woman veteran on a sub-branch committee in regional Victoria said: These issues shouldn't surprise. The RSL draws its members from the Australian Defence Force, where women have long reported sexism, harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Media reporting continues to highlight how entrenched these problems remain. It's no surprise those dynamics often carry over into veteran spaces. Many RSL branches feel frozen in time: beers, bingo and military banter. But younger veterans, especially women, are juggling work, families and the long-term impacts of service, including trauma. They need safe, inclusive spaces and real support. For women who have served, especially those who experienced harassment or assault during service, traditional RSL environments can feel unsafe. One veteran said: Some branches are starting to shift and even small changes can have a real impact. One woman veteran in Queensland described the support she received from her state branch as "faultless", though she said it was only possible because she was supported by one of the few women advocates on staff. At a Queensland sub-branch, Melissa Bishop, a veteran and newly appointed committee member, fought to move meetings to weekends so people with jobs and families could take part. One woman veteran described it as "the first time I'd felt like someone had thought about veterans like me." These are modest, hard-won changes, but scattered progress alone won't undo generations of exclusion. Last year, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide recommended creating a national body to better govern the veterans' non-profit sector. This presents a real opportunity to modernise veteran support. But without a strong focus on gender inclusion and cultural reform from the start, history may repeat, entrenching the same exclusions that have kept so many women veterans on the margins for decades. Women are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for veteran spaces that recognise their service, value their contributions and meet their needs. That means flexible programs, trauma-informed care, peer support and family-friendly events. The RSL now faces a defining choice: cling to outdated ideas or evolve into a space where all who have served feel they belong.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
'People see injustice': fight goes on for Vietnam vets
Australians who fought in Vietnam have been acknowledged at ceremonies around the nation to mark the 59th anniversary of the costliest battle of the contentious conflict. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, was commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. Services throughout Australia included a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. But for many a different battle drags on. Bernie Cox attended in Sydney and told AAP people had gained a greater appreciation for what veterans of the conflict faced. "People can see the injustice of the whole thing," he said. After being conscripted to serve in Vietnam, he faced "animosity" attending university after he returned home. "Even some of those people now would say that was a bit unfair," he said. Relatives of Mr Cox served in World War I and World War II. "I just thought that's what Aussie kids did, join the army ... it's normal," he said. He found out that wasn't necessarily the case after being conscripted. "I got a bit of a shock, it wasn't such a great adventure in the end." Having not always felt fully recognised, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged despite increasing public awareness of what veterans went through. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement because of a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return because of injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide in the lead-up to Vietnam Veterans' Day. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on Anzac Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the process to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem - the older we get, the fewer we get - to get more appreciation for what we've done." Christopher Anderson said some of his fellow veterans felt more closely aligned with Vietnam Veterans Day than other memorial days such as Anzac Day. "It is still an experience that is close to the hearts of those who participated," he said. "Many of us lost good friends." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. Then-RSL NSW president Ray James, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. Some 3000 Australians were wounded throughout the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Australians who fought in Vietnam have been acknowledged at ceremonies around the nation to mark the 59th anniversary of the costliest battle of the contentious conflict. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, was commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. Services throughout Australia included a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. But for many a different battle drags on. Bernie Cox attended in Sydney and told AAP people had gained a greater appreciation for what veterans of the conflict faced. "People can see the injustice of the whole thing," he said. After being conscripted to serve in Vietnam, he faced "animosity" attending university after he returned home. "Even some of those people now would say that was a bit unfair," he said. Relatives of Mr Cox served in World War I and World War II. "I just thought that's what Aussie kids did, join the army ... it's normal," he said. He found out that wasn't necessarily the case after being conscripted. "I got a bit of a shock, it wasn't such a great adventure in the end." Having not always felt fully recognised, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged despite increasing public awareness of what veterans went through. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement because of a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return because of injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide in the lead-up to Vietnam Veterans' Day. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on Anzac Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the process to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem - the older we get, the fewer we get - to get more appreciation for what we've done." Christopher Anderson said some of his fellow veterans felt more closely aligned with Vietnam Veterans Day than other memorial days such as Anzac Day. "It is still an experience that is close to the hearts of those who participated," he said. "Many of us lost good friends." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. Then-RSL NSW president Ray James, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. Some 3000 Australians were wounded throughout the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Australians who fought in Vietnam have been acknowledged at ceremonies around the nation to mark the 59th anniversary of the costliest battle of the contentious conflict. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, was commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. Services throughout Australia included a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. But for many a different battle drags on. Bernie Cox attended in Sydney and told AAP people had gained a greater appreciation for what veterans of the conflict faced. "People can see the injustice of the whole thing," he said. After being conscripted to serve in Vietnam, he faced "animosity" attending university after he returned home. "Even some of those people now would say that was a bit unfair," he said. Relatives of Mr Cox served in World War I and World War II. "I just thought that's what Aussie kids did, join the army ... it's normal," he said. He found out that wasn't necessarily the case after being conscripted. "I got a bit of a shock, it wasn't such a great adventure in the end." Having not always felt fully recognised, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged despite increasing public awareness of what veterans went through. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement because of a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return because of injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide in the lead-up to Vietnam Veterans' Day. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on Anzac Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the process to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem - the older we get, the fewer we get - to get more appreciation for what we've done." Christopher Anderson said some of his fellow veterans felt more closely aligned with Vietnam Veterans Day than other memorial days such as Anzac Day. "It is still an experience that is close to the hearts of those who participated," he said. "Many of us lost good friends." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. Then-RSL NSW president Ray James, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. Some 3000 Australians were wounded throughout the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Australians who fought in Vietnam have been acknowledged at ceremonies around the nation to mark the 59th anniversary of the costliest battle of the contentious conflict. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, was commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966. Services throughout Australia included a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. But for many a different battle drags on. Bernie Cox attended in Sydney and told AAP people had gained a greater appreciation for what veterans of the conflict faced. "People can see the injustice of the whole thing," he said. After being conscripted to serve in Vietnam, he faced "animosity" attending university after he returned home. "Even some of those people now would say that was a bit unfair," he said. Relatives of Mr Cox served in World War I and World War II. "I just thought that's what Aussie kids did, join the army ... it's normal," he said. He found out that wasn't necessarily the case after being conscripted. "I got a bit of a shock, it wasn't such a great adventure in the end." Having not always felt fully recognised, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged despite increasing public awareness of what veterans went through. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement because of a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return because of injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide in the lead-up to Vietnam Veterans' Day. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on Anzac Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the process to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem - the older we get, the fewer we get - to get more appreciation for what we've done." Christopher Anderson said some of his fellow veterans felt more closely aligned with Vietnam Veterans Day than other memorial days such as Anzac Day. "It is still an experience that is close to the hearts of those who participated," he said. "Many of us lost good friends." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. Then-RSL NSW president Ray James, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. Some 3000 Australians were wounded throughout the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Vietnam Veterans Day marks fresh call for recognition
Having not always felt fully recognised by their kind, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement due to a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return due to injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on ANZAC Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends, and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the progress to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem, the older we get, the fewer we get, to get more appreciation for what we've done." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. NSW president Ray James, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, will be commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Services will be conducted in communities throughout Australia, including a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. Some 3000 Australians were wounded during the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Having not always felt fully recognised by their kind, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement due to a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return due to injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on ANZAC Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends, and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the progress to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem, the older we get, the fewer we get, to get more appreciation for what we've done." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. NSW president Ray James, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, will be commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Services will be conducted in communities throughout Australia, including a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. Some 3000 Australians were wounded during the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Having not always felt fully recognised by their kind, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement due to a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return due to injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on ANZAC Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends, and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the progress to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem, the older we get, the fewer we get, to get more appreciation for what we've done." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. NSW president Ray James, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, will be commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Services will be conducted in communities throughout Australia, including a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. Some 3000 Australians were wounded during the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046 Having not always felt fully recognised by their kind, 2500 Australians excluded from receiving the Vietnam Campaign Medal continue their struggle to be acknowledged. The Vietnam Veterans Association and the RSL are calling on the federal government to award the honour to the contingent, who were among 60,000 Australians to serve in the conflict between 1962 and 1975, but remain without acknowledgement due to a technicality. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. Navy veteran Bob Braithwaite finally received his medal last week after multiple applications and rejections. After joining up as a teenager, he served 120 days in Vietnam before having to return due to injury. "It's very hard, very hard," Mr Braithwaite told AAP from his home in Adelaide. "You weren't recognised as a full veteran in my books ... you could say it felt like being a car with only three wheels." Conscripted into service and sent to fight in a deeply unpopular war, the veterans awaiting recognition completed at least 60 days in-country, serving under harrowing conditions. Because their national service obligations ended before they reached the 181-day threshold, they were sent home and denied the campaign medal - and the recognition and respect many of their comrades received. Made to feel like they had not done enough, some were labelled "short-timers" and have since carried the burden. Mr Braithwaite takes medication for PTSD and undergoes a twice-yearly psychological check-up. "You'd go to a hotel on ANZAC Day to have lunch and celebrate with your wife and a couple of close friends, and the guys with the full medals would kind of look at you a bit funny, and you'd think, 'oh, OK, I haven't finished the progress to become a full veteran'. "But the stigma has slowly worn off ... and we seem, the older we get, the fewer we get, to get more appreciation for what we've done." The broader community and RSL failed to treat veterans well or welcome Vietnam vets when they returned. NSW president Ray James, himself a veteran of the Vietnam War, was among those to deliver a formal apology on Vietnam Veterans Day in 2023. The end of the Vietnam War, Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th century, will be commemorated on Monday, the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Services will be conducted in communities throughout Australia, including a major gathering of servicemen and women in Sydney's Martin Place. Some 3000 Australians were wounded during the conflict and 524 died during or as a result of their service in Vietnam. Lifeline 13 11 14 Open Arms 1800 011 046
