PATRONS
BRUCE MAIN
ROBIN BYCROFT
May 2026
Members, as you are all aware, April is our busiest month of the year. I want to take this opportunity to thank my fellow board members, our ladies’ group and all our volunteers for their efforts during the month.
We started the month with the dedication of the monument at the Southport Flying Squadron; it was a very moving occasion, as well as being an enjoyable day. We followed this up with our Anzac Day church service at the Salvation Army Temple. My thanks to our Padres, Kelvin and Julie Alley, for another wonderful service. We had an increase in numbers attending the service, but there’s always room for more.
Badge sales continued in the lead-up to Anzac Day, and once again, Michael Makin and his volunteers did a superb job. Thanks to all of you. The school visits were a great success again, at times a very moving occasion. If you haven’t attended a school service, you don’t know what you are missing out on. This was Tony van Sleeuwen‘s first big test as Schools Officer, and to the best of my knowledge, every visit was a success. Well done, Tony.
That brings us to Anzac Day. What can I say that hasn’t been said before? In possibly the worst conditions we’ve ever experienced, we saw the Anzac spirit come to the fore in our own people who put on the best possible Dawn and Citizen services to very large crowds. To Michael Makin and Graham Gordon, a job well done. Also, to our dignitaries, our keynote speakers, the Salvation Army, the schools and in particular the Biggera Waters School choir, many thanks.
I would also like to thank the S.E.S, 221 Squadron Air Force cadets, Kokoda Kids and the staff of Seagulls for their support on the day.
Members, I would like you to consider joining us at our monthly meetings as we have lined up some very interesting guest speakers over the next three months, starting on 18 May. The details of the who and when are in the newsletter.
I couldn’t close this report without congratulating our member Doug Henderson on his Anzac of the Year Award. Well deserved and well done, Doug.
Peter Whitehead, President
On ANZAC Day, a media release from RSL National advised that the prestigious Awards above had been announced and we were informed that our very own member Doug Henderson OAM was one of the Queensland recipients. Doug is a Vietnam Veteran and is the Founder of the Kokoda Youth Foundation which includes the Kokoda Challenge Series, the Isurava Youth Program and Ralph Honner Program, as well as other youth-inspired school programs.
The ANZAC of the Year Awards are presented ‘to recognise the efforts and achievements of up to seven Australians who have given service to their fellow Australians and to the community in a positive, selfless and compassionate manner.’
The 2026 recipient from Queensland is:
• Douglas Henderson OAM of Runaway Bay RSL Sub Branch in recognition of his extraordinary contribution as a wounded Vietnam veteran who transformed personal experience into a national movement, founding the Kokoda Youth Foundation in 2005 and growing it into a programme that has taken more than 1,300 young Australians to walk the Kokoda Track.
His advocacy further secured the posthumous Victoria Cross for Private Richard Norden in 2025, affirming a lifetime of service that has shaped both the lives of Australia’s youth and the nation’s memory of those who gave everything for it.
Congratulations Doug…. A well-deserved honour..!!
Doug was also responsible for the relocation of the Vietnam Memorial at Canungra in 2023 in which he invited our Sub Branch to become involved. We took this project on board with the Kokoda Youth Foundation to the extent that our Sub Branch now assists in the organizing of Vietnam Veterans Day at Canungra on 18 August each year. We are honoured to be involved with the Foundation.
GENERAL MEETING
Our April meeting saw 43 members and guests attending, including our new member Gary Kruppe, who was welcomed with applause. Our membership now stands at 169, and sadly, we farewelled our long-term member and former Board member, Neil Frampton, who has transferred to Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast.
The ANZAC Church Service at the Salvation Army temple on 19 April was a wonderful event. Our Hon Chaplain Kelvin, really put together a memorable service which everyone who attended agreed was the best we’ve ever attended. Our ANZAC Day services were unbelievable!! Our Dawn service, we believe, saw record numbers attend, even though we experienced a series of showers. Everyone was delighted when 5 aircraft, lit up against a dark sky, roared across our service right at closure – perfect timing..!! And again with our march and 10 am Civic Service in the wet, our numbers were overwhelming… Is it fair to say we must be doing everything right? Many thanks to the Southport Flying Club for arranging the flyovers at both our services.
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Postcards Of Honour
This initiative of RSL QLD, introduced to schools through Qld RSL Sub Branches, has really taken off in recent years. Students are asked to create and write a message to Veterans on a blank postcard, which is then presented to Veterans on occasions like ANZAC Day. Our Sub Branch visits 7 schools in our area, encouraging this activity, and, as well, we attend the school's own ANZAC Day services, offering guest speakers or simply being there and laying a wreath.
No doubt the children are in awe of all these people with medals attending their school. Here is an example of their efforts from Arundel State School this year on display. Also attached is a photo of our members and others attending. We would appreciate more members attending instead of the usual few.
“Recognising Veteran’s Day” AND ‘Unveiling the Memorial’
On Saturday, 11 April, a large crowd attended the Flying Club on this special day to recognise our Veterans and to unveil their flagpole memorial. Our honorary chaplain Col Kelvin Alley, officiated in the dedication and reflected so perfectly on the past history of 3 local veterans who gave their lives in past wars, which was very much acclaimed and appreciated by those assembled. He also honoured past veteran Private Thomas Halloran.
221 Sqn Air Cadets did a marvellous job in their escorting duties and were a credit to their officers. In particular, the Halloran family were honoured in that the memorial now contains a plaque in memory of their son Thomas, who was a serving member of 5RAR in Darwin.
Later, Flying Club members offered a “joy” flight over the Gold Coast to those veterans and families who wished to do so. All in all, it was a very special event. Our sincere thanks to the Flying Club for this wonderful gesture.
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After a great BBQ breakfast, President Craig Hobart gave a talk on their activities and called upon a couple of others who have been involved to address us all…
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The Runaway Bay RSL Sub-Branch Inc. appreciates the sponsorship of Mr. David Crisafulli,
State Premier, for the printing and postage of this Newsletter.
PUTTING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES FIRST - NEW STUDY TO IMPROVE ADVOCACY SERVICES
A MAJOR study to improve advocacy services for veterans and their families has commenced under the leadership of the former Chair of the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce, Mr Robert Cornall AO.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said the study was part of the Government's ongoing commitment to put veterans and their families first and delivers on a significant part of the Government’s response to the concerns raised in the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Reference’s committee report: The Constant Battle: Suicide by Veterans.
“This study will go a long way to helping our younger veterans and their families navigate the compensation claims and appeals processes, and it will address a number of improvements to the current advocacy model, which were recommended in the report.
The latest research will be reviewed, veterans’ advocacy services in other countries will be examined, and advocacy models in other areas, such as the legal services, community, and disability sectors, will be looked at.
For more information, visit: www.dva.gov.au/AdvocacyStudy or email: [email protected]
Veterans - Reminder
QLD GOVERNMENT
TAXI SUBSIDY SCHEME…
This scheme is designed to assist Veterans with medical appointments, Veterans Affairs appointments or attending related meetings (such as RSL) and allows for taxi fare subsidies up to $30 each way. There are Eligibility rules however and these can be found on line via www.tmr.qld.gov.au . Simply click in, then click “search”. Type in “Taxi Subsidy Scheme” which will take you to www.qld.gov.au website for info, or call them on 1300 134 755.
Emergency ID Products … As discussed by Welfare Officer Tony Banner at the general meeting, Tony was able to clarify that any member who holds a Defence Health Card (for whatever reason) is entitled to a number of products at no cost. Call Emergency ID Australia on 03 6381 1223 or check their website www.emergencyid.com.au According to the website there is a DVA Pack which includes:-
* High quality Emergency ID bracelet medallion and chain
* Emergency ID necklace medallion and chain of your choice
* Both these Jewellery items are CUSTOM engraved (as you choose) with your most urgent medical and Emergency info.
* 12 month warranty on bracelet & necklace medallion- suitable for 24 hr wear, even in water, the shower, chlorine, spas, ocean.
We are here:
Office hours
Office only, available by appointment.
email: [email protected]
Postal address:
P.O. Box 1422
Runaway Bay, Qld 4216
