User:RSL Queensland

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Template:RSL Queensland

The Returned and Services League of Australia (often abbreviated to RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force.


Contents

[edit] WHAT IS THE RSL?

The RSL's mission statement is:

We are a totally independent, apolitical, not for profit organisation run by its members, for its members. It was formed as the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia in 1916, became the Returned Sailors' Soldiers' and Airmens Imperial League of Australia in 1940, and became the Returned Services League of Australia in 1965. The change to its current name was made in 1990 to reflect the organisation's concern for current as well as former servicemen and servicewomen. [1]

[edit] Who Are We?

The RSL in Queensland (separate to RSL Clubs) assists all current and former members of the ADF, veterans, and their dependants, including:

  • Any person who served in the Australian Defence Force in any theatre of conflict;
  • Any person who served for not less than 6 months in the Regular or Reserve Forces of the
  • Australian Defence Force, or of any country not an enemy of Australia;
  • Any Australian or Allied citizen who served with, or in support of, the Australian Defence Force or Allied Forces in a theatre of conflict.

We can help with obtaining disability pensions, compensation payments, health and community services, welfare services, and income support payments and treatment.

[edit] Why The RSL Still Exists

90 YEARS ON

“To provide welfare for our members, their families and the wider veteran community, and where possible, foster the development of the nation’s youth, ensuring proper commemoration of the proud history of our service men and women and to provide a safe haven for the maintenance of camaraderie and mateship.”

WHAT THE RSL HAS ACHIEVED

  • An independent intervener at Defence Remuneration Tribunals to promote fair pay and allowances for members of the ADF;
  • Provision of comfort parcels for ADF members serving overseas through the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF);
  • An ongoing commitment by the Government to retain the Defence Housing Authority; Ensuring that all ADF personnel serving in Timor are covered by the Veterans’ Entitlements Act (1986);
  • Support for the establishment of the Australian National Servicemen’s Association (NASHO’s);
  • Ensuring the privatisation of repatriation hospitals were acceptable in Australia; and
  • Support for Defence Reserve Forces Day.

[edit] RSL Services

ADVOCACY, COUNSELLING AND WELFARE SUPPORT

We offer FREE professional advice and assistance across Queensland to ex-serving and current ADF personnel at any stage of your service on obtaining benefits under the:

  • VEA - Veterans’ Entitlements Act (1986)
  • MRCA - Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (2004)
  • SRCA - Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (1988)


ADVOCACY, COUNSELLING AND WELFARE SUPPORT Our RSL Pensions, Welfare and Advocacy Service covers:

  • Disability pensions;
  • Compensation payments;
  • Associated allowances;
  • Income support payments; and
  • Treatment available to entitled veterans and their dependants

Our main offices are located in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Townsville, Toowoomba and on the Sunshine Coast however the RSL has a volunteer welfare officer in most RSL sub branches.

ENTITLEMENT LODGEMENT AND ADVICE The RSL can act as:

  • An initial contact point for welfare matters, assess the requirement and assist in contacting the relevant providers to solve the problem;
  • Assist and advise in the preparation of initial claims and applications for benefits under the VEA, MRCA and SRCA;
  • Advice on applications for review of decisions made under the VEA, MRCA and SRCA;
  • Prepare and present cases for review to the Repatriation Commission under internal review of the VEA;
  • Prepare and present cases for reconsideration under the MRCA;
  • Prepare and present cases for review involving your entitlements to the Veterans’ Review Board; and
  • Prepare and present cases for review to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

[edit] Art Union

Overview & History The RSL Art Union was established in 1956 as a major activity of the Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch) in the provision of welfare services to ex-service men and women, their dependants and to other members of the community. For many years the typical RSL Art Union prize home has been based on waterfront locations on the Gold Coast, although more recent changes have seen a broader move to property portfolios.

Art Union Types A total of 10 draws are conducted each year. Nine draws have an ticket price of $5 whilst the tenth draw has a ticket price of $10. Prize Home Art Unions Six usually consist of a fully furnished Gold Coast waterfront Prize Home valued at over $1.4 million.

Multiple Property Art Unions Three are ‘instant property portfolio’ packages, (for example 3, one to two bedroom apartments in sought after locations) their combined valued worth over $1.4 million.

Golden Treasure Art Union With a ticket price of $10, the RSL Golden Treasure is the biggest Art Union of the year with a massive first prize value of over $3.5 million. Traditionally the Golden Treasure is a complete apartment complex consisting of a penthouse plus 6 individual units.

Prize Draw Each draw is open to the public and is overseen by an independent auditor holding CPA qualifications (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPA_Australia). Typically each art union has an allotment of tickets available for sale between 1 and 1,100,000. Tickets are sold between this range up until the closing date of the draw. The drawing process involves drawing a ticket number from the eligible range using a certified drawing device based on a random number generator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_number_generator) Each ticket entry has an equal chance of winning a prize.

Tickets and Book Buyer Prizes Of the 10 Art Unions conducted each year, 9 have a ticket worth $5 each. The Golden Treasure Art Union (held once per year) is $10 per ticket. A range of ticket bundles are available that also add an incentive value should the ticket holder win first prize. Book bundles may also contain free tickets.

Regulation The RSL Art Union is governed by the Charitable and Non Profit Gaming Act 1999 which is administered by the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation , a department of the Queensland Government (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Government) . This Act provides a strict framework for the conduct of each lottery.

Links RSL Art Union (www.rslartunion.com.au) Returned & Services League of Australia (Queensland Branch) (www.rslqld.org) Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation (http://www.qogr.qld.gov.au) Charitable and Non Profit Gaming Act (http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Acts_SLs/Acts_SL_C.htm)


[edit] Membership

MEMBER BENEFITS What can the RSL do for you? As a member of the RSL, you will benefit from: 1. FREE welfare and advocacy advice to you during any stage of your service; 2. A team focus – keeping the camaraderie and mates aspect of the ADF alive; 3. A strong voice to Government to voice your concerns; 4. Lobbying power to gain you extra military compensation and benefits pre or post discharge from the ADF or Reserves; 5. Member discounts at participating organisations; 6. A ‘grass-root’ sub branch level focus within your local community – a place where you and your family will feel welcome; and 7. Assistance and support for you and your family in Australia or whilst you are deployed overseas.

ELIGIBLITY - CAN YOU JOIN? To be eligible to join the League you only need to have served a minimum of six months as a regular or a reservist in the:

  • Royal Australian Navy; or
  • Australian Army; or
  • Royal Australian Air Force; or
  • Allied forces.

Membership also applies to any Australian citizen who has served overseas as a member of an approved peacekeeping mission.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP

  • The RSL looks to all current ADF personnel to take the RSL into the future; and
  • We want you to bring in the fresh, new ideas and reinvigorate the League.

  • You will have a voice in the policy of the RSL and what we lobby for at a national level. Your input through your RSL sub branch, together with that of your fellow members, helps formulate and strengthen the policies of the League.

    We keep all of our members (including those deployed overseas) up to date on current policies and issues affecting them through our quarterly magazine RSL News. An online version of the magazine can be found online by visiting www.rslqld.org.

    SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP OFFER Anyone who returns from an overseas posting (including conflict, peacekeeping or operational service) are granted 12 months FREE RSL Membership in the year of your return.

    You are also entitled to 12 months FREE RSL Membership by providing your discharge papers in the year of your separation from the ADF.

    MEMBERSHIP FACTS

    • The RSL membership year is from January 1 to December 31.
    • Cost - membership starts from as little as $20 per year and the benefits and services the RSL can offer are endless.
    • Annual subscriptions are due on January 1 and need to be paid to your sub branch before January 31 each year.
    • If you move interstate, the RSL can organise transfer your membership anywhere in Australia.

    TO JOIN CALL 134 RSL or visit www.rslqld.org Or visit your nearest RSL Sub Branch

    [edit] See also


    [edit] References

    1. ^ http://www.rsl.org.au/about/mission.html

    [edit] External links