Maitland RSL Sub-Branch is on the brink of folding unless younger ex-servicemen and women start to join the organisation.
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Not many of our younger soldiers, servicemen and women, are joining the RSL. For some reason they just don’t want to get involved and that’s disappointing for us
- Cr Henry Meskauskas
The branch’s treasurer Cr Henry Meskauskas, issued a plea on Anzac Day to younger members of the armed forces to put their hands up and take on a role with the local organisation.
He said the fear of branches folding is one that is echoed across the country as war veterans pass away and their positions left vacant.
“We have reached a point where our World War I veterans have passed and our World War II veterans are in their 80s and 90s and we’re getting to the end of the line,” Cr Meskauskas said.
“Not many of our younger soldiers, servicemen and women, are joining the RSL. For some reason they just don’t want to get involved and that’s disappointing for us,” he said.
Cr Meskauskas said the branches play a key role in helping veterans transition back to everyday civilian life. “We can also provide them with medical help,” he said.
“We’re really asking our returned servicemen and women to step up and take on some positions with the branches instead of breaking with tradition.
“If they don’t soon join we will be forced to close our doors. There will be no alternative,” Cr Meskauskas said.
Maitland RSL Sub-Branch is already struggling with concern several months ago it would have to shut its doors due to the impact of a state-ordered suspension on fundraising activities.
RSL NSW voluntarily suspended all fundraising activities such as raffles and poppy sales last year ahead of an inquiry into whether publicly raised money was misused.
The Maitland branch supports about 130 returned soldiers across the city. Its members were also concerned the inquiry would damage the community’s trust in them.
