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NEWS AND EVENTS
2025 Commemorative Services in Wagga Wagga
Get Involved!!
We encourage members to call in to the sub-Branch and find ways to contribute that suit your skills, abilities and schedules. More hands are always needed for ANZAC Day and other commemorative services, we could use more members trained to use our Public Address system, and we always need more members to assist us in the wellbeing space. We hope to see you at the sub-Branch!
REGULAR EVENTS
Sub-Branch Monthly Meeting - Second Wednesday Night Each Month
Held in the Mirage Room of the RSL Club at 7.00 pm, have your say in the operations and activities of the sub-Branch, keep up to date with sub-Branch events, followed by drinks upstairs.
BBQ Lunch Second Wednesday Each Month
The sub-Branch BBQ lunches are popular and are attended by members and local current serving personnel. We ask that RSVPs are submitted the prior Monday to 02 6921 3528 or admin@waggarslsubbranch.com.au
Informal Friday Food Nights
For those who can’t attend the Wednesday BBQ lunches, Friday evenings following our monthly BBQs will see the sub-Branch host an informal Snacks N Chats gathering at the Wagga RSL Club. RSVPs preferred.
2025 UPDATES
2025 ANZAC Day
On ANZAC Day this year, the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch welcomed Veterans, serving members, their families, special guests and the local community of Wagga to the services.
On 25 April 1915, Australia was devastated by the loss of lives as they arrived in Gallipoli in World War I. This changed Australia forever, and left a strong ANZAC legacy throughout the country.
Now ANZAC Day has shifted to acknowledge all Veterans who have previously served, and people who are currently serving, for Australia. The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch is proud of our ANZAC heritage, and on this day, we honor those who have served our country.
We were humbled to see many members of the Wagga Wagga community attending the local events, which included the Dawn Service, the War Cemetery Service, the March and main Service, the lunch, and the Sunset Service. The community support does not go unnoticed, as it commemorates those who have endured, sacrificed, and demonstrated courage and mate-ship for Australia.
Please see below, some photos from 2025 ANZAC Day.
Upcoming Performances Australian Army Band Kapooka
The Australian Army Band Kapooka is giving three concert performances over the next few weeks at St John's Anglican Church and the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.
The performances will showcase the talented musicians and outstanding soloists from the Australian Army Band Kapooka. Entry is free.
If you wish to attend, please find the event details below:
A Lunchtime Concert will be held at St John's Anglican Church from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm on Thursday 5 June 2025.
The two Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre Performances will be held at the Civic Theatre at 12.00 pm and again at 6.00 pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025. You are welcome to make a voluntary gold coin donation to the charity Fishing for Kyan. To get tickets, visit www.civictheatre.com.au
Poppy the Therapy Dog
Meet Poppy, the dog training to be a Therapy Dog at Kapooka Public School. Her big sister Xena has been a Therapy Dog at the school for several years, assisting children from local defence families.
Poppy is making exceptional progress with her training, recently completing her first escalator, elevator and traveler ride confidently. Additionally, she started visiting students in classrooms achieving outstanding results. The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch wishes to congratulate Poppy and her handler, Cherrie, for this.
On ANZAC Day this year, we were delighted to see Xena marching with the community she supports, and are looking forward to seeing Xena and Poppy sharing this essential role next year.
Free Hearing Check for Veterans
RSL NSW has partnered with Hearing Australia to ensure local Veterans have access to free, quality, hearing checks. This initiative has been designed to prevent hearing loss in the local Veteran community, and operates via a Hearing Australia bus.
Hearing Australia strongly recommends that Veterans access hearing checks every three years after the age of 50. This is due to an increased risk of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss due to exposure to a high level of noise when serving.
To book your free hearing check, please call 134 432 or click here.
PAST EVENTS
Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch 2024 Newsletters
Please find below the Newsletters from the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch for March 2024 and September 2024.
2024 Remembrance Day Commemorative Service
On Monday 11 November 2024, the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch held a Remembrance Day Commemorative Service at the Cenotaph in the Victory Memorial Gardens. There were approximately 180 people at this moving service, demonstrating the importance of this occasion to the local community.
We were privileged to have Major General Stephen Jobson AM CSC as the keynote speaker at the Commemorative Service. We wish to thank Major General Stephen Jobson AM CSC, the Forest Hill RAAF Base, 1RTB Kapooka and the Australian Army Band Kapooka for their attendance and strong support.
Following the service, the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch and the Riverina Veteran and Family Hub held light refreshments for guests who attended the commemorative service.
Please view photos from the Remembrance Day Commemorative Service here.
2024 Post 1975 Conflicts Commemorative Service
On Tuesday 22 October 2024, the Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch held the 2024 Post 1975 Conflicts Commemorative Service.
The service was to pay honour and respect to all Servicemen and Servicewomen who were involved in global conflicts and peacekeeping missions since 1975.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Damien Morse, the Chief of Staff at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion (1RTB) Kapooka. We wish to thank LTCOL Morse, 1RTB Kapooka and RAAF Base Forest Hill for supporting the service.
Many community members attended the commemorative service. The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch wishes to thank those who attended to acknowledge the service.
Please see photos from the commemorative service.
2024 Korea Veterans Day Commemorative Service
At 11.00 am on Saturday 27 July 2024, the Korea Veterans Day commemorative service was held in the Council Meeting Room at the Wagga Wagga City Council building.
The service was well attended and the Keynote Address was given by Major David Adams. The Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Korea, Mr Joyoung Jeon, presented the Ambassador for Peace medal to Veterans of the Korean War from Wagga Wagga and Narrandera.
The Veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace medals (in alphabetical order) were Maskell Burke, Harry Edmonds, the Late Alan Evans (accepted by Mrs Nancye Evans), Harold Menzies (accepted by John Sullivan and passed to Harold in Narrandera following the commemorative service) and John Sullivan.
The venue for the commemorative service was changed from the Korean Memorial in the Victory Memorial Gardens to the Council Meeting Room at the Wagga City Council building, due to an inclement weather forecast.
Left to right: Colonel Kim, Veteran John Sullivan, Charge' d'affaires Mr Joyoung Jeon, Veteran Harry Edmonds, Veteran Maskell Burke, Mrs Nancye Evans.
2024 Inaugural Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO)
Commemorative Service
The inaugural Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) Commemorative Service was held by the Wagga RSL sub-Branch at 11.00 am on Thursday 11 July 2024 at the Cenotaph in the Wagga Wagga Victory Memorial Gardens.
The MEAO service honoured the Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As Australia’s longest military engagement, from 2001 to 2021, the MEAO holds great importance.
We were honoured to have Major Jennifer White as the Keynote Speaker at the MEAO Commemorative Service. She delivered a moving speech and it was a privilege to have her participate.
See below the photos from the MEAO Commemorative Service of Major White (R) presenting her speech and Wayne Lennon (L) delivering The Ode.
2024 ANZAC DAY
2023 ANZAC DAY
RECENT EVENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
2023 KOREA VETERANS DAY
WINTER WELLBEING EXPO
THE XENA PROJECT
