Albury RSL President

Rory Nelson

Due to illness president Graham Docksey has had to resign. ANZAC day 2026 was his last official public activity as president of the Albury RSL Sub Branch.

We welcome Rory Nelson as our new president who was elected at the August meeting

Although Graham officially resigned on 28 April 2026 he will be available to guide new volunteers.

President’s Report to the 2026 AGM Available here

PRESIDENTS CORNER – SUMMER 2026

Welcome to the first edition of the sub-Branch Newsletter for the new year.
Thank you, Doug, for pulling together the articles for the newsletter which keeps
our members informed with regards to the activities of the sub-Branch. Please
feel free to share this information with other veterans or their families.

In fear of again repeating myself, a gentle reminder to all members about the establishment
of two Volunteer Compensation Advocates working at ANZAC House by appointment on Tuesday, and Wednesday. The Advocates will be available for pensions advice/applications, pension and other reviews and information for veterans on medals. Please spread the word about this important and very vital free service for members.

The transition from winter to summer has been a shock this time around with
some very hot days and nights not experienced for several years. This will be a
very busy start to the year with Easter not far away, schools recommencing and
the planning for the ANZAC Commemorations already underway.

Fund raising last year saw Army taking a lead over a two-week period and volunteers backing up to assist filling in where needed. Jan was superb with her organisation and
spent many hours pulling it all together and supported by Noel. Stock has been ordered for the next round of fund raising prior to ANZAC Day. Help always needed.

Another reminder about the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). The
schedule of items, the guidelines and forms are available on www.dva.gov.au.
(RAP program). I strongly encourage you to look at the schedule and then
discuss this with your GP or Health professional. Your continued health is
important to not only you but to your family. If you are needing assistance
around the house like cleaning, washing windows, cleaning gutters etc speak
with your GP and Occupational Therapist for advice.

This is your sub-Branch, so please get involved whether it be doing a few
hours on the reception desk or assisting on Remembrance or ANZAC Days. If
you are interested, please talk to the Secretary Mark.

ANZAC Day is fast approaching, and your committee are full steam ahead
and can always do with some extra volunteers particularly for the march. The
Dawn Service will commence at 5.30am and the March at 9am. The 10am
Commemorative service will commence at 10am.

The sub-Branch has been very active with AlburyCity in the planning of the
refurbishment of the World War Two Memorial Bowl with $740k being
provided by the NSW Government towards the project. The remaining funding
came through AlburyCity. The project included a covered children’s play station,
an exercise station, a water station and much needed landscaping and is
wheelchair friendly. An interpretive panel telling the story of what happened in
Albury during World War Two was unveiled.

The 2025 Remembrance Day Service was again held in St Matthew’s Church
Albury on Tuesday the 11th of November, the service was very well attended and
drew many positive comments.

Monthly meetings continue to be very well attended and most productive with many members remaining for the luncheon afterwards and a friendly chat. So come along you are most welcome. Often, we have a guest speaker on a subject of interest to our members. The meetings are held at 11am on the 3rd Sunday of the month excluding June, July, December and January. 

We continue to support DVA sponsored activities such as Veterans Health Week with a fun bowls session, morning tea, a guest speaker followed by lunch.

 
We are continuing along the path of incorporation with only a couple of hurdles still to complete the process.

Your sub-Branch is in a sound financial position, and I continue to remain grateful for the
support of my committee and our members.

Kind regards to you all.
The AGM is on Sunday the 15th of March. Please consider nominating for a committee position.

Graham

PRESIDENTS CORNER – WINTER 2025

Welcome to the winter edition of the sub-Branch Newsletter. Thank you, Jan, for your work with producing
the newsletter over the past years in keeping our members informed with regards to the sub-Branch. I now
warmly welcome Doug Hunter as the new Editor of the newsletter. Please feel free to share this information
with other veterans or their families. In fear of repeating myself, a gentle reminder to all members about the
establishment of two Volunteer Compensation Advocates working at ANZAC House by appointment on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Advocates will be available for pensions advice/applications,
pension and other reviews and information for veterans on medals. Please spread the word about this
important and vital service.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR FLU INJECTION.

The transition from summer to winter has been very pleasant this time around with some very beautiful days
and mild nights. This has been a very busy start to the year with Easter, school holidays and the ANZAC
Commemorations all coming on top of each other this year. Fund raising this year saw Army taking a lead
over two weeks and volunteers backing up to assist. Again, Jan was superb with her organisation and spent
many hours pulling it all together and ably supported by Noel. Thank you, Jan.
Another reminder about the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP). The schedule of items, the
guidelines and forms are available on www.dva.gov.au. (RAP program). I strongly encourage you to look at
the schedule and then discuss this with your GP or Health professional. Your continued health is important
to not only you but to your family. If you are needing assistance around the house like cleaning, washing
windows, cleaning gutters etc speak with your GP and Occupational Therapist for advice.
This is your sub-Branch, so please get involved whether it be doing a few hours on the reception desk or
assisting on Remembrance or ANZAC Days. If you are interested, please talk to the Secretary Mark.
ANZAC Day saw two new Australian Prisoners of War plaques unveiled at the Albury War Memorial. The
War Memorial turned 100 on ANZAC Day with a story included in this newsletter. The refurbishment
project of the World Two Memorial Bowl got the approval of Albury Council in February, and the work has
already started. A visit to the bowl will see a flurry of activity underway already for an end of year
completion. At this time, we are considering how we go about the opening. Any suggestions welcome.
The Vietnam Veterans Day service will again be held at ANZAC House on Monday the 18 th of August.
Look out for further details. The 2025 Remembrance Day Service will again held in St Matthew’s Church
Albury on Tuesday the 11 th of November. Monthly meetings continue to be very well attended and most
productive with many members remaining for the luncheon afterwards and a friendly chat. So come along
you are most welcome. Often, we have a guest speaker on a subject of interest to our members.
We continue to support DVA sponsored activities such as Veterans Health Week so watch for further
details. A Wellbeing Support Officers course was conducted at ANZAC House on Tuesday the 11 th of
March and a Safe Talk course on Monday the 10 th .
We are continuing along the path of incorporation with only a couple of hurdles still to complete the
process. Your sub-Branch is in a sound financial position, and I continue to remain grateful for the support
of my committee and our members.

Kind regards to you all.

Graham