Index, ill, p.286.non-fictions Australia's largest veterans' organization, the R.S.L. has been the subject of bitter controversy. The League has often been attacked, and as frequently defended, but it has never been examined in depth by an impartial observer. This book is the first detailed and dispassionate examination. It is not an 'official', or even an authorized account of the R.S.L.'s pressure group activities - while the League provided unrestricted access to its files and records, the organization's leaders exercised no censorship or control over the final results. The author examines the R.S.L.'s attempts to influence the Commonwealth government against a background of continual internal conflict over tactics. He describes the constant approaches to the government on pensions, medical benefits, war service homes, soldier settlement, employment preference, and gratuities, as well as on such controversial subjects as defence and anti-communism, all of which serve to mark the R.S.L. as one of Australia’s most active pressure groups. The book also points to the danger implicit in the R.S.L.'s attempt to monopolize the virtues which it claims are uniquely Australian. In its rigid enforcement of the exclusiveness of Anzac Day, it is argued, lie both the League's peculiar strength and its greatest problems. australia - politics and government, pressure groups - australia

Booklet produced for Victorian RSL as a yearly booklet for 1965 containing information on Pensions, Welfare, Membership, Procedures, Ceremonies, etc. The booklet belonged to J.P. McKelvey VX27173 Born 1904, Died 1970. Member of 1st Australian Signal Corps, 2nd AIF. Served in the middle East and South West Pacific. A member of the Lara RSL from 1964 till 1970.A booklet produced each year by the RSL Victoria for its members.Green covered booklet1965 logo of the RSL on front with words, "Serving Still" underneath. Then below '1965 50th Anniversary' and below that 'Victorian Branch'rsl, booklet, rsl victorian branch, 50th anniversary, returned serviceman's league, 1965, j.p. mckelvey, vx27173, lara rsl

Printed circular titled 'The Call to the Carnival' to all members of the R.S.L. Mentioned that it would also reach those who are not members, but should be. Carnival went from October 19th to December 4th. Mentioned is the Club Building Fund, Relief Patriotic Fund and information about the carnival.clubs, social, returned servicemen's league, r.s.l. bendigo collection - the call to the carnival, diggers' carnival, parma dance club, annual victory ball, g v lansell, g r wheeler, w r porter

A laminated membership cardLaminated Membership Card No 00114 of the Mitcham RSL Sub Branchmitcham rsl, mitcham returned servicemen's league

The Certificate relates to William John Turner Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8029 for details of his fund raising and work with the Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8030 for details on his Committee history and WW1 service.Framed certificate, frame is timber gold colour, certificate backing is maroon colour, certificate is a cream colour with ornate edging around the details, at the top is the RSL Logo followed by “Returned Servicemen’s League Bendigo Sub Branch” Details of the award follow, signed and dated, all print in blue and black.Main points; “Presented to Mr W.J.Turner - Winner of the Mr Bendigo Competition in aid of the League’s Patriotic fund 1945 - Amount raised £666” “Geo V Lansell President” “W R Porter Secretary”brsl, smirsl, certificate

Very early drawn up RULESof what now is RETURNED SERVICEMENS LEAGUE .RULES OF THE VICTORIAN BRANCH R.S.S.A.I .L.A .This object represents the beginnings of a most signifigant league ofSERVICE PEOPLE .An oblong cardboard covered 50 page handbook.Faded once red,cover .Some damage to top left hand cover.RULES OF THE VICTORIAN BRANCH of THE RETURNED SAILORS :SOLDIERS&AIRMANS IMPERIALLEAGUE of AUSTRALIA.[FRONT COVER]THE PREMIER PRINTING CO.PTY.LTD .

The Album was compiled by Nancy McHaffie late 1990's, with the assistance of Edith Jeffery's, with her book "Garden of Memories" and extensive knowledge of Phillip Island. The Cemetery lies back from the road and is surrounded by Manna Gums, rare Peppermint Gums, Blackwoods and other native trees. In all 25 acres of land were set aside as Crown Land in the land settlement of 1868. There are 6.2 acres of wetlands near the cemetery entrance.5 Photographs of the Garden of Remembrance. 466-10 - Garden of Remembrance sign 466-11 - On the 8th November 1990, two Life Members of the League, Mr Eddie Patton and Mr Ken Lang, planted a young seedling from the original Lone Pine from Gallipoli in the Memorial Garden 466-12 - The Returned Servicemens League placed a Flagpole and Granite Stone in the Memorial Garden in memory of the fallen 466-13 & 14 - Garden of Remembrance Plaquesphillip island cemetery, nancy mchaffie, edith jeffrey

The Certificate relates to William John Turner Bendigo RSL Sub Branch. Refer Cat No 8029 for details of this specific award and his other RSL fundraising and work. Refer Cat No 8030 for details re his Committee details and WW1 service record.Framed certificate, frame is timber gold colour, certificate backing is maroon, certificate is light fawn colour with ornate columns each side with the words, “Charity, Hope, Faith, Patience”, at the top is “Bendigo and Northern District Base Hospital Inc - Life Govenor” followed by details of the award, at the bottom are the words “Semper Fidelis”Main points; “This is to certify that Mr William.J. Turner was duly elected a Life Govenor of this Institution on the 15th Day of December 1953”. “E.H. D..............President” “.........Cook Vice President” “J.H. Stanistreet Treasurer” “....................... Secretary” At Base of the certificate; “The No 27 District Board of the Returned Servicemen’s League consisting of twenty Sub Branches had pleasure in recommending to the Hospital Board of Management that this award should be conferred”brsl, smirsl, life govenor, certificate

An Oral History Project - An Australia Remembers New Work Project funded by the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Sponsored by Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE. The Australia Remembers 1945-1995 campaign was a pageant of events commemorating the end of World War II. 34 chapters include reminiscences from 34 men and women mainly from the Watsonia Returned Servicemen's League recording their memories of the war years for the benefit of the [Shire of] Diamond Valley community. This copy is signed by Eleanor Sumner who is also a contributor.This book comprises a collection of unique and individual personal narratives of World War 2, written 50 years after the war and preserved for future generations. The collection is linked through the association of the participants living in the Diamond Valley area in Melbourne's north in 1995.roy hillard, eleanor sumner, bob campbell, dulcie cox, lancelot riky, charles nelson, reg johnson, frank collings, george armstrong, stan ware, lorna mill, ann hewett, reg angwin, ruby talbot, dion hogan, elean dansey, mary keppel, charles baker, elaine grigg, len grigg, kathleen kennedy, arthur dykes, eric wood, frances jensen, mary edwards, frank wilson, harry hewett, mick marks, audrey wass, ian wall, joyce anderson, john grant, jean gee, noel mcintyre, allan dunn, reminscences, oral history, world war 1939-1945, world war 2, ww2, australia remembers, northern metropolitan college of tafe, watsonia, personal narrative, watsonia barracks

The eighteen men are assembled at the Greek Returned Servicemen's League hall which was located in Russell Street, Melbourne. The honour board, erected in memory of Greek soldiers, features battle fields where the Greek army participated from 1821, the beginning of Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, through to World War 2 and the Italian and German occupation of Greece. The man seated in front in an army uniform is an American serviceman. Seated fourth from the left is Spiros E. Raftopoulos who was president of the organisation from 1944 - 1968. Today the Hellenic RSL sub-Branch of Victoria represents and supports the Greek Australian veteran community. In 1978 the organisation joined the Returned and Services League of Australia. The Hellenic RSL sub-Branch commemorates all the Greek and Australian national days each year and proudly marches on Anzac Day in Melbourne, alongside veterans from the wars of Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan and earlier wars. On Anzac Day 2013 members of the IPS took part in the Anzac Day march for the first time. Greek national days are commemorated with wreath-laying ceremonies inside the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, at which the IPS participates.A black and white photograph of eighteen men seated and standing in front of an honour board, which has curtains on either side of it.

Interview questions by Peter McGennan, one of the recorders of the oral histories published in the book "Diamond Valley Remembers 1939 to 1945'. A second set of interview questions shows the answers given by Mrs Dulcie Cox {nee Pocock) The book was part of "An Oral History Project - An Australia Remembers New Work Project funded by the Department of Employment, Education and Training. Sponsored by Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE. The Australia Remembers 1945-1995 campaign was a pageant of events commemorating the end of World War II. 34 chapters include reminiscences from 34 men and women mainly from the Watsonia Returned Servicemen's League recording their memories of the war years for the benefit of the [Shire of] Diamond Valley community." - from Eltham District Historical Society."This book comprises a collection of unique and individual personal narratives of World War 2, written 50 years after the war and preserved for future generations. The collection is linked through the association of the participants living in the Diamond Valley area in Melbourne's north in 1995. " - Eltham District Historical SocietyPhotocopy of typed interview questions and answers.

The newspaper clipping is an obituary for Agnes Ivy Clyne, also known as Sunbury's grand old lady. Agnes, [known as Ivy], died at the age of 95 on March 17 [1995]. Her funeral service was attended by friends and relatives on March 22 [1995]. Born April 29 1899, Ivy began her nursing career in her late teens, being a hospital matron before the outbreak of WWII. During the war she worked at the military hospitals in Heidelberg, Broken Hill and Bendigo, being promoted to Captain of the Nurse Corps. Ivy married in early 1948, but had no children. The obituary goes on the summarise her interests in racing, politics, bowling and organisations such as Salvation Army Companions Club, Returned Servicemen's League and the Country Women's Association.A clipping from a larger sheet of newspaper of four columns of text with a centred black and white photo of an older woman holding a photo of a young woman in uniform'Obituary Notice / Old file / Regional News April 4th, 1995' [blue ink, top right]ww2, st vincent's hospital, melbourne, department of defense, agnes benson, john benson, reginald charles clyne

This 90th Anniversary dinner of the RSL was held on the 12th August 2006 at 7.00pm at the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc Havilah Road. The date the Returned Servicemen’s League officially began is generally accepted as being 6.6.1916. On the night the Bendigo RSL Museum (SMIMM) set up a cabinet and mannequin with items of memorabilia relating to Sir Gilbert Dyett. The program: MC - Mr Murray Poustie Commemorative Sub Committee Chairman. Silent Tribute - Mr Cliff Richards President. Loyal Toast - Mr Cliff Richards. Toast to the RSL - Mr Peter Ball Snr Vice President. Response - Mr Rob Webster Snr Vice President Victorian RSL. Guest Speaker - Mr Ian Dyett. Reply - Mr Bob Sully Department of Veterans Affairs. Closing remarks - Cr David Jones Mayor City of Greaterr Bendigo.Six Place Mats all differant in colour and B&W. .1) RSL badge at the top followed by details, date and time, on the rear is the full menu. .2) RSL badge central with details. .3) Has images of the 5 RSL badges 1919 to current with written text. .4) Photo B & W of Sir Gilbert Dyett 1st Federal Vice President of the National RSL 1916 then National President in 1919 plus a brief history. .5) Gives a brief history of the formation in 1916. .6) Has “The ODE” and photo of the Soldiers Memorial Institute at opening in 1921, on the rear is the menu.brsl, smirsl, 90th, birthday

View to south-east from Shire of Eltham Soldiers' Memorial Park showing the carriageway from the road to top of Memorial Park. Accompanying notes state that the entry gate was put in place in May 1921. Eltham and Whittlesea Shire Advertiser and Diamond Creek Valley Advocate Fri 21 May 1920 p 2 reported: Kangaroo Ground Memorial Park "It was decided to arrange for a working bee on Saturday, 29th inst., for the purpose of forming and gravelling the track leading to the Park, and of carrying out other necessary works." A history summary of the Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park • The summit at Garden Hill was a popular tourist lookout and picnic spot from the 1880s. Virtually the entire Shire of Eltham and beyond could be viewed from this location. • A local farmer, Mr Walter A. D. Wippell is credited as being the first to propose the idea of a war memorial park and offered £50 towards the purchase of the land. • The earliest public reference to this project is to be found in the local Advertiser newspaper edition of August 9th, 1918. A report of the August Council meeting records the Eltham Shire President, Cr. Robert White, saying: "some time back it was proposed that the Council obtain and place on an Honour Board in the Council Chamber [at Kangaroo Ground] containing names of the lads who had enlisted. Just recently however, it had been suggested that a more fitting memorial would be the obtaining of a piece of land on the summit of Garden Hill, Kangaroo Ground, and the formation of a memorial park in which a monument could be erected to represent the whole of Shire. If a couple of acres could be obtained a gentleman had promised to donate 50 pounds, and another one would fence it, and other contributions, he was sure, could be obtained." • Councillors were favourable of the proposal and the President, Shire Secretary and Shire Engineer were deputised to wait on Messrs Mess Bros. (the owners of the Garden Hill farm) and ascertain if they would gratuitously give the land. The Mess Bros. land adjoined the farm/stud of Mrs Fanny White (Cr Robert White’s mother), daughter of Andrew Harkness who established their property on Garden Hill around 1846. • Access to the land came in February 1919 when several Councillors and the Shire Engineer surveyed the actual two acres of '5 chains along the road and 4 chains deep'. The Engineer volunteered his services free to do this task. The Mess brothers however demanded £100 per acre but eventually agreed to take £50 per acre. • Entry from the Kangaroo Ground-Yarra Glen road was seen to be a problem and Mrs. White, who owned the land beside the park, was asked to donated a triangle of her property to allow this access. • By September 1919 returned soldiers were employed by the Shire and volunteers were called to clear the hilltop by ploughing up the rocks and clearing the area, the fencing was put into place and in May 1921 the Council erected three gates, within an archway, at the entrance to the drive and pathway to the summit. • Public subscriptions were sought through the Advertiser newspaper to beautify the site. The views of the Curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens were sought as to the ‘class of ornamental trees most suitable for planting in the Park area”. • The Memorial Park or Shire of Eltham Soldiers’ Memorial Park was officially opened by Mr. W.H. Everard, M.L.A., 3 September 1921. • In 1922 plans were made to place a War Memorial in the Park. Funds were donated by the Council of £250 and a challenge to the community, to match this money with contributions was met. • On Anzac Day 1923, 1,000 people gathered on the summit in the park for a memorial service. A much smaller group of about 50 people gathered around a newly constructed cairn and flagstaff in the afternoon of Anzac Day 1924 amidst rain and a squally southerly wind, the morning service being cancelled. • A meeting for those interested in establishing a War Memorial monument within the park was held in January 1924 and the Eltham Shire War Memorial League was formed and a design competition decided upon. • The Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower was built in 1926 at a cost of £1,023 and 5 shillings with locally quarried stone donated by Dr Ethel and Professor William Osborne. It was formally known as the ‘Shire of Eltham War Memorial’ and was unveiled on 11 November 1926. The large bronze inscription above the entrance to the tower states: SHIRE OF ELTHAM WAR MEMORIAL THESE MEN DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY 1914 IN REMEMBRANCE THIS TOWER WAS BUILT 1918 • The Caretaker’s hut was built in 1927 with left over from the tower construction. • A returned soldier was appointed to act as caretaker for the memorials. Tiny Carrol, a huge man, was the first caretaker and lived in the stone hut. There was a push to have alterations made at one stage to provide additional rooms for a married caretaker but was rejected. • A new Caretaker Cottage was built in 1951 at a cost £2,500. The cottage had been subjected to raids by thieves three times during construction until a guard from the Returned Servicemen’s League was posted until its opening. • The War Memorial tower was re-dedicated by Sir Dallas Brooks on 8 November 1951, unveiling new bronze plaques containing the names of those who fell during the Second World War. Sir Dallas also officiated the opening of the new Caretaker’s Cottage. • A toilet block was built in 1965. • A further dedication of the Shire of Eltham War Memorial tower took place 11 November 2001 to recognise the men who fell in subsequent campaigns up to and including Vietnam. • Four land titles are involved: o The purchase of the two acres from owners Ruth Gosling, Alexander Mess, James Johnson Mess and Joseph Mess is recorded in two actions, the first being the payment of £100 for the two acres, the second showing that the Shire of Eltham did not get a transfer of title until 14th January 1952. o The access land donated by Mrs. Fanny White is dated 26 February 1924. A further need to widen the entry came after the deepening of the road cutting and another land donation was given by Sir Herbert Gepp, title dated 15th May 1952. This would have been about the time he sold off the former White ‘Garden Hill’ property. o The land reserve to increase the area and possibly allow a circuit road to be put in place on the western side of the park was purchased by the Shire of Eltham, title dated 16th February 1973. Rare photograph of the entrance to the Shire's Memorial Park during early stages of development prior to the erection of the Shire of Eltham War MemorialSepia photograph printed with white border with slight crack lower left hand corner and three significant vertical cracks fanning from lower centre edge to upper edge Digitally enhanced version to minimise impact of crackseltham-yarra glen road, entrance gate, garden hill, kangaroo ground, shire of eltham memorial park, shire of eltham war memorial, kangaroo ground war memorial park

Style of badge worn by returned soldiers and sailors from WW1. Started 1919 to early Ww2 by the organisation, "The Imperial League".Shield shaped badge with small crown on top. White background with blue circle and images of standing soldier and sailor in the middle.Engraved Ïmperial League" Returned sailors and soldiers". On back engraved P9043 to enable tracking of individual.passchendaele barracks trust, ww1, returned service league, badge

RSL badge issued from 1922 - 1941, No V43998 & year 1958.Metal badge with white, red & blue enamel borders. Yellow metal round centre with 2 etched servicemen. Crown motif on top.Inside crown: “58” Bottom of badge: “RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS IMPERIAL LEAGUE AUSTRALIA”badge, rsl, membership

Four metal Badges with red, white & blue enamel work. Etched figures of servicemen in bronze in the centre. Badges are numbered on rear so recipient can be traced.Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League Australia On rear. “71019, 72569, 51703, 213852”badges, rsl, membership

Bendigo & District Servicemens Club was pre it becoming Bendigo District RSL..1) Badge, metal, RSL affiliate membership. Crown at top over wings, rising sun anchor, scrolls under with "Returned and Services League Affiliate". .2) Badge, metal "Bendigo and District Servicemens Club". Gold Top with place for name, bottom is blue with 3 figures in centre, pin clip at bottom with "95" for membership 1995..1) "V31733 not transferable property of the league. .2) "1822"membership, servicemens, affiliatte, rsl

The Returned Sailors and soldiers Imperial League of Australia was formed in 1916. Annual RSSAILA Balls (originally known as the Diggers Balls) were held to raise funds for those who returned fromconflicts especially those who were not eligible for war pensions.Socially , the ‘Diggers’ Annual Ball’ accomplished a great deal in bringing Returned Servicemen together. At this time, these functions were organised by self-appointed committees and proceeds were distributed among special causes – mainly to the RSSAILA members who were experiencing hardship.A rectangular card invitation to the Diggers' Military Ball, Monday 1st May 1939. Print is in black. The card is edged in gold. It is a Double Ticket - 7/6 RSSILAmilitary-balls r.s.s.i.l.a.