For more than 110 years, Launceston RSL has been a constant in Northern Tasmania – supporting veterans, preserving military history and bringing the community together.
Its story reaches back to the earliest days of the RSL movement in Australia, when returned soldiers from the First World War began organising to help veterans and create a place of camaraderie among those who understood the experience of service.
As Australia’s oldest continuously operating RSL Sub Branch, its longevity is no accident. Behind its success is a simple formula: strong leadership, dedicated volunteers, careful financial planning and a willingness to adapt while staying true to its purpose.
Today, the Sub Branch is a vibrant community hub at 313 Wellington Street.
A history of change
Launceston RSL originally operated from the historic ANZAC House in Paterson Street. Over the years, the building was expanded to include additional accommodation for veterans, but structural issues eventually rendered it unsafe. Following its demolition in the late 1990s, the site became the Birchalls car park.
The Sub Branch relocated to its current Wellington Street premises in 1999, a former Main Roads Department building that has since been transformed into a modern veterans’ centre.
Some reminders of the past made the move too, including the original foundation stone from ANZAC House and windows that now frame the building stairwell. Even the building that now houses VeteranHub carries a piece of history – it was once the department’s pay office, complete with its original safe.
Since moving to Wellington Street, the building has undergone continual improvement, but the most significant transformation began in 2017.
Building for the future
By then, many areas of the building had become dated and underutilised.
Rather than simply refurbishing ageing facilities, the committee developed a long-term business plan with a clear objective: create a financially sustainable organisation by making better use of every square metre of the building.
Launceston RSL Secretary Peter Williams said every decision made during the redevelopment was guided by one principle.
“Our business plan was based around making sure the building pays for itself, by creating spaces such as conference rooms, training rooms and functions rooms which would generate income.” he said. “By using all our floorspace to generate income we have now set the Sub Branch up so we’re now financially secure, and every dollar that comes through the door goes back into supporting veterans, commemoration and the community.”
The committee understood that long-term sustainability could not rely solely on membership or fundraising.
Securing funding was the next challenge.
Storage rooms became meeting spaces. Offices were modernised. Function areas were redesigned to suit contemporary events, and facilities were upgraded to better support veterans while also creating spaces that could be hired by the wider community.
After developing detailed plans, committee members invited every Federal and State politician representing Northern Tasmania to visit the Sub Branch and hear their vision firsthand.
Their efforts paid off.
A $250,000 Federal Government grant, supported by additional funding from local representatives and later assistance from the Tasmanian Government, allowed the redevelopment to proceed.
Over several years, the Flanders and Hinman Rooms function areas and Veteranhub areas were completely rebuilt and redeveloped. The museum was expanded, the upstairs offices were modernised, new conference and meeting rooms were created, and dedicated office space was established for wellbeing and compensation advocates.
The entire project was completed on schedule and under budget.
Powered by volunteers
While government grants provided vital funding, volunteers made the redevelopment possible.
Volunteers painted walls, installed ceilings, removed old kitchens, completed fit-outs and tackled countless maintenance projects that would otherwise have cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“The main reason we’ve been successful is because of the volunteer labour we’ve got,” said Peter.
“We’ve probably got 40 or 50 people who volunteer in one way or another. They’re the heavy lifters. Whether they’re compensation advocates, wellbeing volunteers or helping maintain the building, they’re the reason we’ve been able to achieve so much.”
It is this collective commitment that the committee credits as the Sub Branch’s greatest strength.
A building that works for the community
Today, almost every room within the Wellington Street building has a purpose.
The Flanders and Hinman Rooms host weddings, celebrations, funerals, community events and commemorative functions throughout the year.
The meeting rooms are used by a wide variety of organisations, training providers and community groups.
Permanent tenants include RSL Tasmania’s VeteranHub, Open Arms, health professionals and financial advisers, while military organisations including the Vietnam Veterans Association, Navy Association, Air Force Association and the Royal United Services Institute regularly meet within the building.
Civilian organisations have also made the facility their home, including the Arts Society of Launceston and the Lace Guild.
By welcoming such a diverse range of users, Launceston RSL has created a genuine community hub while generating the income needed to maintain and improve the building and keep the front door open.
Today, much of the annual operating cost of the facility is covered through income generated on-site, giving the Sub Branch far greater financial security than ever before.
Preserving history
Alongside supporting today’s veterans, preserving Australia’s military history remains central to the Sub Branch’s mission.
Its 100 Stories Military Museum has grown into one of Tasmania’s finest small military museums, with more than 100 individual stories represented through medals, uniforms, photographs and personal artefacts.
The museum continues to expand, with new displays regularly added and family research enquiries welcomed from across Australia and overseas.
The Sub Branch also works closely with schools, delivering engaging presentations on subjects ranging from Gallipoli and Kokoda to the final months of the First World War.
Rather than simply presenting facts, volunteers bring history to life through artefacts, demonstrations and storytelling, creating memorable learning experiences for students.
Those connections often lead to lasting community support, with schools and community groups continuing to contribute to museum projects and commemorative initiatives.
Community first
Commemoration remains one of Launceston RSL’s most visible roles.
ANZAC Day continues to grow each year, with hundreds of students participating alongside veterans and the wider community. The Sub Branch is also increasingly supporting younger veterans, including serving members, reservists and those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Many first engage through VeteranHub or commemorative events before becoming involved in other activities.
Importantly, the organisation recognises that supporting veterans extends well beyond membership.
Many of those accessing advocacy, wellbeing and support services are not RSL members, yet they receive the same assistance.
That commitment reflects the organisation’s purpose: supporting all veterans and their families.
Looking ahead
More than 110 years after its formation, Launceston RSL continues to evolve while remaining true to its purpose. Financial sustainability, dedicated volunteers and strong community partnerships have created a Sub Branch that is not only preserving its proud history but building confidently for the future.
The foundations laid over the past decade are about much more than bricks and mortar. They have created a place where veterans are supported, history is preserved, and the wider community continues to find connection and purpose.
“Once people know what we’re doing, we have people come out of the woodwork to help us,” said Peter. “That’s what’s made this place successful. The community understands what we’re trying to achieve and wants to be part of it.”
