From all the staff at ANZAC house, wishing you a safe and happy festive season.
RSL Tasmania State Branch will be operational until close of business Wednesday 21st December, reopening Tuesday 3rd January.
For those who need urgent assistance, help is available via Open Arms on 1800 011 046 (24 hrs) & Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hrs).
Hobart Cenotaph and Proposed AFL Stadium
RSL Tasmania is acutely aware of the significance of the Cenotaph as a memorial to all Tasmanians who have served. Historically, Tasmanians have answered the call to serve more than any other state per capita.
The Cenotaph is much more than just a monument, it is not for anyone, but everyone, it is a place for reflection, a moment to pause, a moment to stand and stare in this very busy world. Like many things on this beautiful island, it is globally significant, there are few cenotaphs on this planet that are so iconic. Whatever we do we must remember that it cannot be affected, change is always hard, but our Cenotaph must be respected and if necessary protected.
As the Peak Body for veterans in Tasmania, we have already started consultation on this issue with the State Government regarding the proposed AFL Stadium.
We understand that the planning for the proposed Stadium is in its initial stages. Unfortunately, RSL Tasmania can only provide an informed opinion once it knows much more detail about the size, location, time frame and the environmental impact it will have locally.
When RSL Tasmania receives a detailed plan, including any impacts on the Cenotaph, we will consult with our members and other veteran groups in Tasmania. Once this has occurred, we will be able to provide the Government with an opinion and address any concerns the Tasmanian veteran community has concerning the proposed Stadium in an Apolitical manner.
We are in constant discussion with the state government lobbying hard for better Veteran services in Tasmania.
RSL Tasmania has one goal, and that is to make Tasmania a place where Veterans and their families can thrive. We will work with all parties and organisations to ensure this happens, but the magnitude of the impact on the cenotaph is not missed as it could affect Tasmania for millennia.
John Hardy
CEO RSL Tasmania
Tasmanian Women Veterans Forums December 6th Ulverstone.
UPDATE: Unfortunately the scheduled Womens Veterans Forum Scheduled for Tuesday December 6th has been cancelled and will be rescheduled to early 2023. New dates will be posted when available. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Response from RSL Tasmania regarding AIHW report
The following contains information some readers may find distressing as it refers to data about mental health, suicide and self-harm.
Please see the attached letter by CEO John Hardy full the full comments regarding the recently released fifth annual update on suicide among serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) written to all Tasmanian politicians and the need to do more to assist our Veteran Community.
UPDATE: Unfortunately the scheduled Womens Veterans Forum Scheduled for Tuesday December 6th has been cancelled and will be rescheduled to early 2023. New dates will be posted when available. Apologies for the inconvenience.
RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy to listen to experiences, concerns and advice from the Female Veteran Community.
Veterans Health Week, RSL Tasmanian Hosted Expos still to come in Swansea and Queenstown
Swansea (15th October) and Queenstown (29th October) are coming up this month as the hosts of the next Veterans Health Week Eat Well Expos. An RSL Tasmania initiative, there’s food, music, fun and even some learning to be had. All welcome
CEO of RSL Tasmania, John Hardy was interviewed yesterday on Tasmania Talks regarding the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and its Interim Findings. John also highlighted how all Tasmanian’s can assist in helping the Veteran Community. Additionally, Mr Hardy outlined the VeteranHub concept, a game changing model supporting our Tasmanian Defence Family.
Click on the link below to listen to the interview in full.
Interim Report – Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide 11/08/2022.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has handed down its interim report today. Please find below a response from RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy, as well as links to access both the recommendations by the Royal Commission and the Interim Report in full.
RSL Tasmania appeared today before the Royal Commission into Defence and Suicide today in Hobart. Please see the link below for the full media release.
