Four RSL sub-branches across the Sunraysia region have undertaken an historic merger, consolidating into a unified entity under the banner of the larger Mildura RSL. This strategic move, believed to be the largest of its kind in Victoria, aims to combat the pressing challenges of declining volunteer numbers and increasing administrative burdens, ensuring the continued provision of vital support for local veterans.

For decades, RSL sub-branches have served as cornerstones of regional communities, but many are now grappling with an aging volunteer base and significant operational costs. Peter Fleming, who first joined the Red Cliffs RSL in the 1990s and now serves as President of the newly merged Red Cliffs-Irymple RSL, attests to this shift. While the importance of these services remains undiminished, the number of individuals actively involved in smaller branches has dwindled.

“Our volunteer numbers are falling away,” Mr. Fleming explained. “My committee’s age ranges from 75 to 92, and a lot of the younger blokes tend to be going through Mildura rather than out to the traditional sub-branches. We’re just not getting the numbers there to keep us viable.”

A Proactive Solution for Sustained Support

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Mr. Fleming spearheaded the initiative to merge his Red Cliffs-Irymple branch with those in Merbein and Robinvale, all now operating under the central Mildura RSL. This innovative consolidation seeks to create a robust model for veteran support and commemoration, while crucially maintaining a local presence within each community.

“We moved now while we’re still capable of doing it. If we left it any longer then it would have been a major problem for us,” Mr. Fleming stated. “We could have ended up losing all our buildings. Doing what we’re doing now, it secures our presence in the district.”

Paul Mensch, Manager of Veteran Services at Mildura RSL, highlighted the administrative complexities that often burden smaller, not-for-profit organisations. “Being a not-for-profit charity organisation, each sub-branch has a massive amount of compliance to go through,” Mr. Mensch noted. “With smaller numbers and less volunteers, that compliance is becoming harder and harder. We really hope that other regions will take this blueprint and run with it.”

Preserving Heritage, Streamlining Operations

Under the terms of the merger, the Red Cliffs-Irymple, Merbein, and Robinvale sub-branches will now fall under the Mildura RSL name. However, they are expected to retain their individual identities when managing town-based activities, such as crucial ANZAC Day services. All existing buildings and cherished memorabilia will be preserved, with financial and administrative duties centralised under the Mildura branch.

“All it means is that each of the sub-branches will no longer have a president, treasurer, secretary… that will be all handled in Mildura,” Mr. Fleming confirmed, outlining the streamlined governance.

This model has garnered attention from RSL Victoria leadership, which has been reviewing governance structures to ease the burden on its more than 250 sub-branches across the state. RSL Victoria CEO Sue Cattermole indicated that the veteran community is increasingly gravitating towards larger regional centres, suggesting that what is happening in Mildura “may be a blueprint for other areas to use to find a model that suits their veteran community best.”

A Stronger Future for Sunraysia Veterans

Each of the merged sub-branches boasts a rich history in Sunraysia; Robinvale’s RSL began as a branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Sailors’ and Airmens’ Imperial League Australia in 1944, Merbein’s officially opened in 1922, and Red Cliffs was established in 1925.

Mildura RSL Sub-Branch president Brad McGlashan emphasised the enduring value of these smaller branches. “These are valued pillars of our community,” Mr. McGlashan stated, affirming Mildura RSL’s financial and operational capacity to ensure the merger’s long-term success. “This is a sensible and proactive solution that strengthens veteran support while preserving the unique identity and heritage of our soldier settlement communities.”

A coordinated veteran support pilot program, now underway under the direction of Mr. Mensch, has already shown encouraging outcomes. The framework of this new model will continue to be refined throughout the year before its formalisation, promising a stronger, more sustainable future for veteran services across the Sunraysia region.