The League evolved out of concern for the welfare of returned servicemen from the First World War. In 1916, a conference recommended the formation of The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia, which included representation from Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. New South Wales was admitted to the League the following year, Western Australia in 1918. In 1927, the Australian Capital Territory formed a branch and was admitted. The Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) the forerunner of today’s Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) was formed in June 1916.Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia Badge. The centre of the badge shows a sailor and a soldier in raised detail. A blue enamel circle surrounds the central detail and has 'RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS / IMPERIAL LEAGUE' in gilt lettering. The outer edges of the badge are white enamel with a floral spray to the top left and right of the blue circle. At the bottom of the badge is a red enamelled scroll with 'AUSTRALIA' written in gilt lettering. On the reverse of the badge are soldered two brass lugs with a split pin attached for securing the badge to clothing. Stamped at the top of the badge is 'COPYRIGHT' and at the bottom of the badge is impressed V40289 and the maker's details 'STOKES & SONS MELBOURNE'.Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League Australia.Stamped on the reverse of the badge is 'COPYRIGHT' and at the bottom of the badge is impressedV40289and the maker's details 'STOKES & SONS MELBOURNE'.badges, world war one lapel badge,lara r.s.l.returned sailor's & soldier's imperial league (rssila) membership badge

On 31 July 1948 a football match was played at the South Melbourne Cricket Ground between sides from Victoria and South Australia. The event was organized by the RSL Victorian Branch. The RSL Victorian Branch Football Association was originally formed in 1947 and was affiliated with the Victorian Football Union. The purpose of the Football Association was to provide organized football for Returned Servicemen. The were 14 teams and 650 players registered in the inaugural competition which was won by Williamstown Sub-Branch.The Program, Order of Weekend Events and Admit Ticket are originals from the weekend 30 July 1948 to 01 August 1948, the game was played on 31 July 1948.1 x Souvenir Program RSL Interstate Football - Victoria vs South Australia, 1 x Order of Weekend Events, 1 x Admit Bearer Entry Tag.Souvenir Program - RSL Interstate Football Victoria vs South Australia at South Melbourne Cricket Ground, 31 July 1948. Order of Program - Victorian Branch RSL 1948 South Australian Footballers' Visit to Victoria, forward by G W Holland, President 1948. Admit Bearer Entry Tag - RSS&AILA Victorian Branch, Victoria v Sth Aust, Football, Admit Bearer South Meld Ground 31 July 1948. Printed by Renwick Pride. rsl victorian branch, football, 1947, 1948, interstate football, victoria, south australia

This pine tree (Allepo Pine, Pinus halepensis) a native of the Gallipoli Peninisula (Gelibolu, Turkey), was grown from a cutting obtained from the War Memorial Canberra and planted in the Mortlake Botanic Gardens in 2002. It replaces the original which grew outside the Mortlake RSL Hall which blew down in a storm c.2000. That tree (Allepo brutius)came from 'the original on Gallipoli' and was planted to commemorate 'fallen comrades' in 'the Jubilee year 1965.' However, two soldiers first brought home pine cones direct from that fateful battlefield. . One was Sgt. Keith McDowell of the 24th Btn. His aunt, Mrs. Emma Gray of Grassmere (Vic.) planted the seeds c. 1928 and four seedlings resulted. One was planted in Wattle Park, Melbourne, one at the Shrine of Remembrance, one at the Soldier's Memorial Hall at The Sisters (c.15 km. south of Mortlake) and one at the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens. The First World War (or 'Great War') and in particular the battle for the Gallipoli Peninsula is of immense national significance. Lone Pine or Plateau 400 was the scene of a major offensive on August 6th 1915. All the trees on the ridge at this point were cut down but one, which was dominated by the 'Lone Pine'. In three days of fighting more than 2,000 Australians lost their lives and seven Victoria Crosses were won. Two Australian soldiers souvenired pine cones - one was brought back to Victoria (see above). Many young men from Mortlake and district volunteered to fight in the Great War and the presence of this tree in our Gardens reminds us all of the local as well as the national sacrifice.l pine tree Small plaque on railing western side. gallipoli, lone pine first world war great war mcdowell, keith

Book - account of the Flying Fortresses in the South West Pacific War WW2,Hard Cover book. Cover - cardboard, orange colour paper with black print on spine. 223 pages - cut, plain, off white paper. End papers - Illustrated, black and white map South-West Pacific. Front end paper and Title page - owner's stamp.Front end paper and Title page - black ink owner's stamp - "BENDIGO DISTRICT/ RSL SUB BRANCH INC/ PO BOX 449/ BENDIGO, VIC, 3552. Opposite Title page - handwritten black ink - "Donated by/ Peter Morrison".books, mikitary history, ww2, flying fortresses

RSL interstate football match at South Melbourne Cricket Ground between Victoria and South Australia, at 2.30 pm on Saturday 31st July 1948.Photograph of 1948 RSL Victorian football team at South Melbourne Cricket Ground. Players names listed, and scores and scorers detailed in pencil in programme.rsl; football

Taken by Gary Spivak, an officer of the City of Port Phillip involved with the reconstruction of heritage buildings to create low cost housing. this project was under his direction.B&W photos of Excelsior Hall 2003, prior to redevelopment into units 11 - Station St view from southbuilt environment - civic, town planning, heritage, excelsior hall, rsl, returned services league

City of Port Phillip was involved with the reconstruction of heritage buildings to create low cost housing such as this project completed in April 2004Colour photos taken by Paul Shire. Excelsior Hall interior images prior to its adaptation as housing 02 - South side room off hallbuilt environment - civic, town planning, heritage, excelsior hall, rsl, returned services league

Colour photos taken by Paul Shire. Excelsior Hall interior images prior to its adaptation as housing Rear room fireplace south-westbuilt environment - civic, excelsior hall, rsl, returned services league

Taken by Gary Spivak, an officer of the City of Port Phillip involved with the reconstruction of heritage buildings to create low cost housing. this project was under his direction.B&W photos of Excelsior Hall 2003, prior to redevelopment into units 10 - Princes St view from southbuilt environment - civic, town planning, heritage, excelsior hall, rsl, returned services league

Newsletter was written for Port Melbourne Holy Trinity Church. Details information about the month of August 1974 for the Church and communicates information to parish goersMonthly parish newsletter for the month of November 1973 for Holy Trinity Church, Port Melbournereligion - anglican (holy trinity), deaths and funerals, donald arthur langford, lewis j mullin, archibald h carmichael, glynn e g marshall, phillip lawson, william a woods, elsie j baxter, eliza m aanensen, ernest j mccoll, william h kilpatrick, allan a callick, emily newton-simpson, georgia anita fennessy, robert michael flaherty, raymond bede grzonek, christine carol bath, leanne alderman, returned services league, rsl, sandridge trugo club, south melbourne football club, albert park bowling club, henry molloy, ged muston, w h coffey, george vines, mrs muston, p bedford, c tuncks, john moore, port melbourne bowling club, port melbourne football club, port melbourne cricket club, f mcgorlick, mrs mcgorlick, lions club, w stuckbury, j t mcleod, d jones, g cecil, yvonne margaret kitchen, f a w 'skip' short

The original South Wangaratta Primary School served the district for over 110 years and closed in December 1985 before moving to new premises. When the school closed in 1989 and with the demise of the South Wangaratta Hall due to flooding in the 1990's the Honour Board was wrapped in a blanket and stored in a shed for the best part of 10 years before being donated to the Wangaratta RSL for safekeeping and permanent display These listed men were either born, worked or enlisted at Wangaratta prior to serving their country in the First World War. Private William John LAW 1221 - 19 years - Born Murchison in Victoria. Occupation Carpenter Next of Kin - Father John Wilson LAW of Wangaratta Joined 2-3-1916 Enlisted at Wangaratta Unit 37th Battalion. Embarked Melbourne 3-6-1916 HMAT Persic A34 Discharged 21-9-1919. Private Joseph Henry LAW 986 - 21 years Born Euroa in Victoria Occupation Labourer Next of Kin - Mother Mrs Robert (Esther) LAW of Yatte Yattah - 18 NSW Joined 29-3-1915 Enlisted at Wangaratta Unit 24th Battalion. Embarked Melbourne 10-5-1915 HMAT Euripidies A14 Killed in Action 29-7-1916 France. Private Norman William FOSTER 7785 -18 1/2 years - Born Wangaratta Occupation Labourer Next of Kin - Sister Mrs William (Florence) McLean of Wangaratta Joined 15-7-1915 Enlisted at Melbourne Unit 54th Battalion Killed in Action 1-9-1918 France Private James Archibald McCORMICK 3195 - 19 years Born Wangaratta Occupation Engineer Next of Kin Father Samuel McCormick Enlisted Melbourne 27-7-1915 Embarked 26/11/1915 Unit 24th Battalion Killed in Action 5-8-1916 France Private Roland Caractacus HUGHES 3134(3131) - 20 years 5 months Born Wangaratta Occupation Blacksmith Next of Kin Father Roland W Hughes Joined 21-10-1915 Enlisted at Seymour 7th REIN 24th Battalion Embarked 26-11-1915 Wounded - GSW Leg and thigh RTA Discharged 11-10-1917 Private James Kelly O'CALLAGHAN 1250 - 22 years Born Mansfield Occupation Labourer Next of Kin Father John O'Callaghan Swanpool via Benalla Joined 6-3-1916 Enlisted at Wangaratta 37th/59th Battalions Embarked 3-6-1916 Wounded GSW Face and arm. RTA 30-1-1918 Discharged 2-7-1918 Private Samuel William DAVISON 6793 - 22 years 5 months Born Benalla Occupation Baker - Employer A Watson of Wangaratta Next of Kin Mother Mrs Ellen Tutty of South Wangaratta Enlisted Melbourne 3-1-1917 21/24th Battalions Embarked 11-5-1917 Wounded 9-8-1918 GSW Arm RTA 16-4-1920 (with wife) Discharged 26-7-1920 Private William Leslie HUNTER (Depot) 18 years 2 months Born Yan Yean Occupation Farmer/Labourer Next of Kin Father William James Hunter of Wangaratta Joined 18-2-1916 Enlisted Wangaratta 3-4-1916 Discharged at Seymour on 26-5-1916 Medically Unfit due to DiabetesThe honour board was made by John Wilson LAW and presented to the South Wangaratta School and District to honour the men who served in the First World War. John Wilson LAW was the father of two those who served.Timber Honour Board containing 48 names within two side columnsTop "School & District/Roll of Honour/South Wangaratta/For King & Country" Bottom 'The Great War/Presented by JW LAW. ESQ./1914 to 1919"south wangaratta, honour board, ww1

The dragon is the symbol for the Canungra Jungle Training Centre in Queensland. Soldiers were sent here to prepare for fighting in the South West Pacific. The Centre was first established during the 1950's and 60's and is still used today as Australian Army training establishment. It is unknown how the Tramways / East Melbourne RSL came to have this piece. Bronze image of six headed dragon with ribbon above stating 'Jungle Training Centre, Australia' mounted on wooden plaque. canungra, army, korea, vietnam, training, jungle training centre

This object relates to James Tennyson BENTLEY. He was born on 05/01/1927 in South Yarra, VIC. James Tennyson served in the Army (VX96171) enlisting on, 23/01/1945 in North Melbourne, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 21 ARMY ORDNANCE DEPOT as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 12/12/1947. James Tennyson BENTLEY was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Christina BENTLEY. Brass used for the manufacture of this tankard was salvaged from the battle fields of World War II.Engraved with map - "Persian Gulf Command"second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, collectables, ballarat rsl, ballarat

This object relates to James Tennyson BENTLEY. He was born on 05/01/1927 in South Yarra, VIC. James Tennyson served in the Army (VX96171) enlisting on, 23/01/1945 in North Melbourne, VIC before being discharged from duties with the 21 ARMY ORDNANCE DEPOT as a Army Non-Commissioned Private (PTE) on 12/12/1947. James Tennyson BENTLEY was not a prisoner of war. His next of kin is Christina BENTLEY.second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, literature, ballarat rsl, ballarat