Who’s Who in 2022, Community: Moreton Bay RSL Sub Branches

Thousands of residents stood shoulder to shoulder to pay their respects to former and current service men and women by attending Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services hosted by Moreton Bay’s 10 RSL Sub Branches in 2022.

Following two disrupted years due to COVID-19, even rain and windy conditions on Anzac Day couldn’t deter large crowds who attended dawn services, mid-morning services and marches, with people huddling under umbrellas.

Services were held at Beachmere, Bray Park, Bribie Island, Burpengary, Caboolture, Dayboro, Deception Bay, Kallangur, Mount Mee, Redcliffe, Samford, Toorbul, Wamuran and Woodford, where the region’s cenotaphs and memorials have the names of local heroes carved.

Each service saw dozens of wreaths laid by local dignitaries, politicians, different sectors of the Australian Defence Force, school representatives, community members, businesses and individuals.

Thankfully, it was a different story for Remembrance Day, with the sun shining down as crowds paused at 11am to mark that historic moment in 1918 when the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of warfare.

About RSL Australia and the Moreton Bay RSL Sub Branches

The Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL Australia) was formed in 1916 in response to the lack of a unified approach to repatriation facilities and medical services for those who were returning home following their role in the Great War, which is known today as World War I.

For more than one century, RSL Australia has provided a support network, advice and camaraderie to current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families.

Since its formation, RSL Australia has grown into the nation’s largest ex-service organisation, with more than 1,135 Sub Branches nationally, and 233 Sub Branches in Queensland.

It is estimated there are about 150,000 members Australia-wide.

Here in the Moreton Bay Region, there are 10 RSL Sub Branches – Beachmere, Bray Park-Strathpine, Bribie Island, Caboolture-Morayfield and District, Dayboro, Deception Bay, Pine Rivers District, Redcliffe, Samford and Woodford.

Each of these Sub Branches plays a vital role in ensuring those who have bravely fought in all wars and conflicts are honoured for their service. This is done via commemorative services being held every year on April 25 for Anzac Day and November 11 for Remembrance Day.

In 2022, thousands of people from all over the Moreton Bay Region attended these two services to pay their respects and lay wreaths to remember the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to fight for our country’s freedom.

The RSL also recognises other significant days and conflicts including the bombing of Darwin, War Animal Day, Boer War, Korean Veterans’ Day, Victory in the Pacific and Vietnam Veterans’ Day.

In addition, the RSL also helps returning service men and women transition back into civilian life, helps veterans find employment, provides emergency financial support, accommodation, bereavement support and research into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other complex mental health issues.