The Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) was an Australian part-time volunteer military force of World War II modelled on the British Home Guard. The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in World War 1. The government took over control of the VDC in May 1941 and gave the organisation the role of training for guerrilla warfare, collecting local intelligence and providing static defence of each unit's home area. General Harry Chauvel, who had retired in 1930, was recalled to duty in 1940 and appointed Inspector-General of the VDC. Chauvel held this position until his death in March 1945. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Government expanded the VDC in February 1942. Membership was open to men aged between 18 and 60, including those working in reserved occupations. As a result, the VDC reached a peak strength of almost 100,000 in units across Australia. As the perceived threat to Australia declined, the VDC's role changed from static defence to operating anti-aircraft artillery, coastal artillery and searchlights. Members of inland VDC units were freed from having to attend regular training in May 1944 and the VDC was officially disbanded on 24 August 1945Hat Khaki Fur Felt with green cloth single band puggaree which has cotton Volunteer Defence Corps badge sewn on, brass rising sun badge on brimMaker's label on head band -RG & RI Stebbins, 14 Willow Court, Donald , Vic 3480

This file contains four items pertaining to activities at the Caulfield RSL: 1/A pamphlet published by the RSL (undated) providing cursory information about it; briefly describing its history and listing its amenities. Included are four colour photographs; two of the exterior of the building and two of patrons seated in its eateries. 2/The minutes of the 18/09/1979 meeting of the Angling Section of the Caulfield RSL. The main issue discussed is an impending vacation to King Island. A more minor issue discussed is the need to institute a recordkeeping system. 3/A typewritten letter, dated 26/08/1981, from the Caulfield RSL;s secretary, J. W. Pugh, to Jack Campbell, congratulating the latter on his re-election to the Caulfield Council. 4/An article dated 07/08/2012 from the Caulfield/Port Phillip Leader 'A flying start for new club'. It is annoucning the launch of a live music venue called the Flying Saucer Club at Caulfield RSL on 05/08/2012.caulfield, caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), exservice organisations, clubs and associations, returned servicepeople, armed forces, gambling, restaurants, angling section caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), fishing, beard f. m., dusting d., de la perrelle e., kerr l., donaldson d., caulfield returned sailors’ soldiers’ and airmen’s club, moore h. r., pugh j. w., soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, williams a., davidson d., heather c., campbell jack., campbell a. j. e. cr., flying saucer club, burchett mark, art deco style, fireplaces, the revelators, camilleri joe, black james, creighton joe, conway deborah, st georges road, elsternwick, musical events and activities, musicians

This file contains two items pertaining to the history of the Caulfield RSL: 1/A newspaper clipping (source unknown, undated) announcing the RSL’s intention to release a history on its 90th anniversary, and its request for residents of Caulfield to provide any information they might possess about former servicemen for purposes of compiling it. Included is a black-and-white photograph of five men and a young boy (unidentified, but referred to as ‘veterans and their families at a 1920s social afternoon’). 2/A pamphlet published by the Caulfield RSL (undated, although presumably published in 1979) announcing a toast, and containing a precis of the Club’s history from its foundation in 1919 to 1979caulfield, caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), ex-service organisations, clubs and associations, returned service people, armed forces, caulfield returned sailors’ soldiers’ and airmen’s imperial league of australia (rssaila), elsternwick bowling club, caulfield city council, victorian amateur turf club, depression 1929-1939, world war 1939-1945, london bombing appeal, fags for fighters, parcels for britain, comfort funds, caulfield central returned servicemen league (rsl), hawthorn road, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, st. george’s road, elsternwick, military history, hughes w. w. ‘billie’, world war 1914-1918, volunteer defence corps, rsl war comforts fund, hostels, holland george sir, home help, hall william brigadier sir

This file contains two items pertaining to the property housing the Caulfield RSL: 1/A photocopy (2 pages) of an assessment of the property, dated 01/1997, by Andrew Ward, for purposes of ascertaining its historical significance. The assessment describes the architectural features of the property, offers a brief history of it, specifies why it should be considered significant, and recommends that it be added to the National Estate Register. Included is a black-and-white photograph of the exterior of the building. 2/An assessment (17 long pages plus appendix) of the car parking issues procured as a result of the decision to refurbish the Caulfield RSL. Prepared by Grogan Richards Pty Ltd, dated 13/11/2002, reviewed by Joanna Gauetty, and authorised by Rody Jude. Included is a description of the Club’s location and surrounding motorways as they existed at the time, a description of the Club itself (eg its opening hours and rate of patronage as per each opening hour), occupancy surveys, descriptions of other recent car parking construction within the same area, a description of the extensions the RSL is aiming to construct, and descriptions of the considerations any new construction must take into account. Included is a black-and-white map of Caulfield noting the RSL’s location, and two black-and-white photographs showing the view to the north and south of St. George’s Road, respectively.caulfield, caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), exservice organisations, clubs and associations, ward andrew, glen eira heritage management plan, historic buildings, architectural, styles, national trust company, st. leonard’s, elsternwick club, grogan richards pty ltd, returned servicepeople, armed forces, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, st. george’s road, elsternwick, english domestic revival style, moderne style, brick houses, bay windows, architectural features, prendergast ellen mrs., ford grylis, dl design group, gauetty joanna, jude rody, parking, glen eira planning scheme

This file contains one item about the finances of Caulfield RSL 1/The annual reports and balance sheet of the Caulfield RSL for the period ending 31/12/2002. Contains the President’s Report, the Treasurer’s Report, the Chief Executive Officer’s Report, the Membership Report, the Welfare Report, the Ladies’ Auxiliary Report, the Committee Meeting attendance roster, the Statement of Financial Performance, the Audit Report, the Statement of Income and Expenditure, and the Statement of Receipts and Payments.caulfield, caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), exservice organisations, clubs and associations, armed forces, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, annual reports, johnstone joan, jacobs ian, fidler mick, mclean tom, booth geoff, palmer bruce, clark john, festivals and celebrations montgomery house, supple john, harris leonie mrs., larkin bob, yemm bruce, bly lesly m., greer john g., crabb norman g., sinclair william m., o’neil owen r., financial documents, st. george’s road, elsternwick, fidler michael, social services, mitchell john, stewart ron, decker john, plews allan, caulfield general medical centre, mayell wally, hospital visiting team, elder vin, elder gail mrs., ladies auxiliary, francis ken, sanders alan, dew david, parkinson william, doyle thomas j., ellwood charles b., whelan james p., gillard. graeme o., graeme o. gillard and co (certified practising accountants)

This file contains five items of newspaper articles pertaining to the Caulfield RSL: 1/A pamphlet titled ‘A Chance to Honour – The Men Who Saved Australia’, date and parent organisation unspecified, advertising a presentation ceremony and film screening of Chris Masters’ documentary The Men Who Saved Australia to take place on 21/10/2005, to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of WWII. Included are two sepia photographs of the 39th Victorian Battalion – the first of them travelling up the Kokoda Track and the second of them parading after being relieved by the 7th Division – and one colour photograph of Michael Danby MHR, Federal Member for Melbourne Ports, attending the 2005 Anzac Day service in Port Melbourne. 2/A clipping from the Caulfield/Glen Eira Leader (Titled ‘Conflict of war continues’, dated 09/11/2010, and authored by Jenny Ling) advertising the year’s Remembrance Day service to be held by the Caulfield RSL on 07/11/2010/ Special tribute is to be paid to service persons killed in Afghanistan. (There exists a discrepancy between the date offered for the article, which is written on the page to which the clipping is attached, rather than the clipping itself, and the date offered for the event, which is written in the clipping itself. The event is described as taking place before the publication of the publication of the article advertising it. Presumably, the date offered for the article, written on the page to which the clipping is attached, is erroneous). 3/A clipping from the Caulfield Leader (titled ‘Our True Anzac Spirit’, dated 19/04/2011, and authored by Jenny Ling) noting that the New Zealand national anthem is to be played alongside Advance Australia Fair at all RSLs across Victoria on Anzac Day following lobbying by the Caulfield branch. Included is a colour photograph of New Zealand sub-branch vice-president Danny Allen and president Sam Smith standing in front of the New Zealand flag. 4/A clipping from the Caulfield Leader (titled ‘Veteran’s Vivid Memory’, dated 08/11/2011, and authored by Jenny Ling, consisting of a short biography of WWII veteran Eric Sparks. Included is a colour photograph of Sparks. 5/A clipping from the Melbourne Weekly Bayside – Your Community Voice (titled ‘Sun Up and Two-Up’, dated 18/04/2012, author unspecified) noting a visit to the Caulfield RSL by WWII veteran John Supple and army reservist Kon Kesoglidis, and advertising a service to be held by the RSL on 25/04/2012. Included is a colour photograph of Supple and Kesoglidis outside the RSL.caulfield, caulfield returned servicemen league (rsl), exservice organisations, clubs and associations, returned servicepeople, armed forces, soldiers, aged people, senior citizens centres, st. george’s road, elsternwick, anzac day, memorial services, moore alan ‘kanga’, danby michael mhr, masters chris, ling jenny, sammon jason, larkin bob, gutnick dovid, remembrance day, blore jeff, mcbean jon, allen danny, smith sam, stewart mark, spark eric, spark eric ‘ned’, elder vin, supple john, kesoglidis kon

Articles re Anzac Day ceremonies ast Mitcham R.S.L. and Box Hill.Articles re Anzac Day ceremonies ast Mitcham R.S.L. and Box Hill.anzac day, mitcham returned servicemens league, mcphee, peter, richardson, keith, abdur, rahman

Mitcham soldiers monument unveiled by the state governor, the Earl of Stradbroke. The monument was erected by the Mitcham Welcome Home Association in memory of those who served and lost their lives in World War I. The monument is a bugler looking towards the hills. A memorial service was held in Mitcham Memorial Hall afterwards, conducted by Rev. T. McKeon.Mitcham soldiers monument unveiled by the state governor, the Earl of Stradbroke.clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, stradbroke, earl of, mckeon, thomas (rev), mitcham memorial hall

Invitation to a dinner dance to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the sub-branch of the R.S.L. On the back is a history of the Blackburn R.S.L. adapted from 'Sixty years of standing still' by the late Ron Alexander, life member and state councillor.Invitation to a dinner dance to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the sub-branch of the R.S.L. clubs and associations, blackburn returned servicemens league, alexander, ron

Blackburn R.S.L. held An Anzac Day commemorative service, preceded by a march from their clubrooms to the memorial in Central Road where they had a wreath laying ceremony. People serving in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam were represented. Pictured: Ab Gray and president Arthur Tynan.Blackburn R.S.L. held An Anzac Day commemorative service, preceded by a march from their clubrooms to the memorial in Central Road where they had a wreath laying ceremony.clubs and associations, blackburn returned servicemens league, gray, ab, tynan, arthur

Blackburn R.S.L. are holding an Anzac Day march and commemorative service. Secretary: Barry Kilmartin. Pictures Arthur Cottingham and Jack Williams.Blackburn R.S.L. are holding an Anzac Day march and commemorative service. clubs and associations, blackburn returned servicemens league, kilmartin, barry, cottingham, arthur, williams, jack

Blackburn R.S.L.. objects to any plan which involves moving the R.S.L. memorial. More parking space is needed at Blackburn Branch Library. Pictured: President, Marcus Hitch, Bill Barker and Fred Gusson.Blackburn R.S.L.. objects to any plan which involves moving the R.S.L. memorial.clubs and associations, blackburn returned servicemens league, hitch, marcus, barker, bill, gusson, fred

Souvenir program of official opening of Mitcham R.S.L. club's extensions and alterations. Sir Edward Dunlop will open the club when he unveils the commemorative plaque. Sister Vivien Bullwinkel, famous A.I.F. nursing sister will also be a guest. Includes brief biographies of Dunlop and Bullwinkel and also lists of Mitcham R.S.L. office bearers.Souvenir program of official opening of Mitcham R.S.L. club's extensions and alterations. clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, dunlop, edward (sir), bullwinkle, vivian

The Mitcham (bugler) war memorial has been moved from outside Mitcham Memorial Hall to Halliday Park. Nunawading Council will bear the cost of moving the memorial and will also be upgrading Halliday Park.The Mitcham (bugler) war memorial has been moved from outside Mitcham Memorial Hall to Halliday Park.clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, halliday park, duncan, david, brandenburg, john p

Mitcham's war memorial has been moved to Halliday Park. This site was originally chosen for this bugler memorial. It is not known why the memorial was placed in Whitehorse Road originally. This new site allows him to face east, to the hills.Mitcham's war memorial has been moved to Halliday Park. clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, war memorials, halliday park

Brochure describing the voluntary services carried out by Mitcham R.S.L. Manuscript notes added on the back. The outstanding amount of money raised each year is the highest amount in Victoria per member. Outstanding secretaries - C.A.G. Johnston and A.C. Cook. Cook was the first life member for Mitcham R.S.L. Frank Fisher was president for 40 years.Brochure describing the voluntary services carried out by Mitcham R.S.L. Manuscript notes added on the back. clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, johnston, c.a.g., cook, a.c., fisher, frank

First section, a report by A.C. Cook, Secretary / Treasurer of Mitcham R.S.L. giving a detailed history of the Mitcham Memorial Hall from 1919 to 1951, then a report by R. Morgan, J. Phillips & R. Harry continuing the history of the development of the new clubrooms from 1951 to 1968. Also a list of principal office-bearers from 1919-1968.First section, a report by A.C. Cook, Secretary / Treasurer of Mitcham R.S.L. giving a detailed history of the Mitcham Memorial Hall from 1919 to 1951clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, mitcham memorial hall

Three Nunawading World War II veterans of the 75th Squadron R.A.A.F. were among veterans who celebrated the squadron's 50th anniversary in the company of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.Three Nunawading World War II veterans of the 75th Squadron R.A.A.F. were among veterans who celebrated the squadron's 50th anniversary in the company of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, becker, ron, franzini, kevin, west, william, philip, prince, duke of edinburgh

Re-dedication of Mitcham War Memorial at Halliday Park. The memorial commemorates 143 Mitcham district men who served in World War I and ll who died. Halliday Park and the area around the memorial was redeveloped last year. Plaques were laid to commemorate the 50th anniversary of World War II and the men who fought in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. Pictured: Chief Commissioner Geoff Oscar, Mitcham R.S.L. President, William Manallack and Halliday Park Committee of Management Chairman, Frederick Smith.Re-dedication of Mitcham War Memorial at Halliday Park. The memorial commemorates 143 Mitcham district men who served in World War I and ll who died. clubs and associations, mitcham returned servicemens league, oscar, geoff, manallack, william, smith, frederick, halliday park, war memorials

Transcription of a news article from the Blackburn and Mitcham Reporter 29 Apr 1938 describing an Anzac celebration held at the Memorial Hall, Mitcham under the auspices of the Mitcham District RSSILA and the Dad's Association.Transcription of a news article from the Blackburn and Mitcham Reporter 29 Apr 1938 describing an Anzac celebration held at the Memorial Hall, Mitcham under the auspices of the Mitcham District RSSILA and the Dad's Association.soldiers and sailors fathers association - mitcham branch, mitcham returned servicemens league