RSL Queensland Annual Report 2020

67 RSL Queensland Annual Report | 2020 Standing Shoulder to Shoulder Annual Highlights A Year to Remember Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch, South East District 2020 was a year to remember for many reasons, and Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch made sure of it by hosting a combined commemorative event, A Year to Remember. Recognising the Korean War, Vietnam War, Battle for Australia and the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the occasion made up for the cancellation of various individual events during the year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Local high school students were involved in the service, which was supported by the Band of the 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. A Year to Remember was held on 24 October on Sunnybank State High School’s oval, next to the Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch. A Win for the Veteran Community Brisbane North District Branch In a win for the veteran community living north of Brisbane, Brisbane North District Branch officially opened the doors of its sparkling new headquarters at Strathpine. The centre is open to the public and offers members of the Defence family assistance to access a range of services, including mental health support, health and clinical care, RSL legal aid, transition support, home and transport assistance, and more. The new facilities offer a welcoming place for veterans to drop in and meet, and include offices, interview rooms, a large boardroom, workstations, reception area, hotdesking facilities for visitors and a fully equipped kitchen. Christmas Spirit Hampers Catching Up at Annual BBQ Gold Coast District Branch Australia Day provides a fitting opportunity to get together with mates and connect. Which is exactly what RSL Gold Coast District does every year on 26 January. In 2020, before the height of COVID-19, the District Australia Day BBQ was held at the Mudgeeraba- Robina RSL Sub Branch. With a crowd of around 40 people from Sub Branches across the District attending, the BBQ provided a chance for members to catch up, reminisce and celebrate. Delivering Joy to Those Most in Need RSL Queensland Christmas 2020 was a first for many, with communities across the globe battling isolation and financial hardship due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. To help provide a little Christmas cheer, dozens of RSL Queensland’s Brisbane staff volunteered their time to pack hampers full of goodies like puddings, mustards, nuts, chocolate, toys and gifts for those of our Defence family most in need. Recipients of our Christmas hampers included a 102-year-old digger, a Medal of the Order of Australia recipient, 60 young families, veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder, 40 people who recently received support via our homelessness program, and more than 90 older veterans and war widows who are isolated or in poor health.