Latest News

Why we Remember – 10th November 2023

RSL Tasmania CEO Mr John Hardy on Why we Remember. Link to the Audio and text below.
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Remember to Remember – 10th November 2023

Riki Ohia and Daniel Anderson from RSL Tasmania highlighting the importance of Remembrance Day.
Full Story below

Hobart Mercury November 10 2023 Page 5 Remembrance Day

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RSL Tasmania’s Support for Stadium 2.0 – 7th November 2023

RSL Tasmania CEO Mr John Hardy detailed in the Hobart Mercury today the reasoning behind RSL Tasmania’s support for the John Coleman Stadium 2.0 proposal.

Follow link below for full story.

RSLTas-Stadium2.0-HobartMercuryNovember7-2023

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RSL AUSTRALIA WELCOMES GP’S VETERAN ACCESS PAYMENT INCREASE – 1st November 2023

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has applauded today’s lifting of the Veteran Access Payment for certain general practitioner services and says the incentive should improve access to medical services for many veterans.

Full media release via the link below

RSL Australia Media Release

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VeteranHub “Call To Arms” Hobart Mercury July 7th 2023

RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy, encourages businesses, charities, primary health services, Ex-Service Organisations (ESO’s) and government organisations to register their services at veteranhub.org.au to help make Tasmania a place where Veterans and their Families can thrive.

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RSL Tasmania – VeteranHub – 28th June 2023

RSL Tasmania is delighted to announce it has been notified that our business case was successful regarding Tasmania’s application for the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs funding.

From today, we encourage businesses, charities, primary health services, Ex-Service Organisations (ESO’s) and government organisations to register their services at www.veteranhub.org.au

“Let’s make Tasmania a place where Veterans and their Families can thrive”

RSL Tasmania VeteranHub Announcement 28th June 2023

Channel 7 News VeteranHub Announcement 28th June 2023

ABC HOBART VeteranHub announcement with CEO John Hardy 28 June 2023

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Hobart Mercury April 26 2023

A Veteran is not just for ANZAC Day

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Hobart Mercury April 4 2023, p21

ADF Veterans on the frontline of homelessness

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Hobart ANZAC Day Commemorations 2023. Free Community Briefing

For Ex Serving Organisations, Community Groups and Members of the Public.
6pm Wednesday 5th April, 2023.
Legacy House, 159 Macquarie Street, Hobart
More information available from:
ANZAC House: 206 New Town Road, New Town
Ph: 6242 8900
Email: admin@rsltas.org.au
Website: rsltas.org.au
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Letter regarding Homelessness and Veterans to Guy Barnett, Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing and Veterans’ Affairs. 27/03/2023

RSL Tasmania provided Minister Barnett today a letter regarding our concerns regarding the homelessness crisis and the plight of Veterans. Please see the full letter below

RSL Tasmania’s position of location of proposed AFL stadium, Hobart Cenotaph. 01/03/2023

RSL Tasmania provided the Premier of Tasmania a letter on the 27th February outlining our opposition to the proposed location of a stadium near the Hobart Cenotaph. As mentioned, RSL Tasmania is supportive of the AFL and of a stadium or stadiums in Tasmania, but not at a such a site of such cultural impact.
Please see the letter in full below
 John Hardy, CEO of RSL Tasmania spoke this morning with ABC radio regarding it’s position on the proposed stadium near the Hobart Cenotaph

Legacy, Centenary of Service, What’s happening in 2023

Hobart Legacy is 100 years ‘young’.  Please help to celebrate the Centenary of Legacy this year.

Attached is ‘What’s Happening’ to mark this very special milestone, everyone is warmly invited to attend these events to:

  • acknowledge our veteran’s families and the cost of war they have lived with for life;
  • commemorate the founding of the Legacy movement in the city of Hobart, and
  • recognise the personal service, provided by Legacy volunteers over 100 years.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES IN SOUTH VIETNAM & 18TH AUGUST 2023 COMMEMORATIONS

Please follow the link below for an invite to all Vietnam Veterans for upcoming commemorations.

RSL Tasmania Christmas Hours

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.

RSL_TAS_November_18_AIHW

Letter from RSL Tasmania regarding behaviour and threats

Please see the link below for correspondence from RSL Tasmania President Barry Quinn and CEO John Hardy

RSL Tasmania Letter, Threats

Tasmanian Women Veterans Forums across the state

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

VETERAN HEALTH EXPO 2022 Swansea, Queenstown

17th August, 2022.

“Tasmania Talks” John Hardy, CEO of RSL Tasmania.

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.

John Hardy, CEO of RSL Tasmania, Tasmania Talks 17th August 2022

11th August, 2022.

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 CEO John Hardy Response to Royal Commission Interim Report

Recommendations by Royal Commission

Interim Report Royal Commission Into Defence and Veteran Suicide

8th August, 2022.

Hobart Mercury 08/08/2022, RSL Tasmania CEO John Hardy outlines the Veteran Hub as a model to better serve our Veterans’ needs.

Link to Hobart Mercury Article RSL Tas CEO Mercury 080822 , Article text 08082022HARDYMERCURYOPED

4th August, 2022.

CEO of RSL Tasmania John Hardy appeared on ABC radio today addressing Veteran’s Health and Wellbeing in Tasmania.

04082022ABCRADIOHOBARTRSLTASCEO(1)

3rd August, 2022.

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.

RSL TASMANIA – ROYAL COMMISSION (Media Release) 1