Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch

19/02/2026

18/02/2026

How John and Marie Kelly found a forever kind of love.

17/02/2026

17/02/2026

In 2019 our Well being Officer Meagan paid a visit to the Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore in recognition of the nurses killed on Radji beach in WW2 - our former (RIP) VP Tom Lupton had loaned a couple of books to her to read before her going to Singapore which she did. 16/02/26 marks the 84th year since that tragedy , we must teach our young people about history so to prevent its recurrance. Lest We Forget

17/02/2026

Never Forget

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Today marks 84 years since 21 Australian Army Nurses lost their lives in the Bangka Island massacre.

As Singapore fell to the Japanese, the Allied Forces initiated a mass evacuation by ship. On 12 February 1942, amidst chaos and uncertainty, the SS Vyner Brooke set sail from Singapore, carrying 65 Australian Army nurses, alongside injured service personnel, and civilian men, women, and children.

Tragically, Japanese aircraft attacked, resulting in the loss of twelve nurses during the bombing or at sea.

Approximately 150 survivors, including civilians, Commonwealth servicemen, and 22 Australian Army nurses, reached Bangka Island, only to be captured by the Japanese. The subsequent events unfolded in a horrific massacre, leaving unimaginable terror in its wake. The 22 Australian Army nurses were marched into the sea and killed by machine-gun fire as they stood waist-deep in the surf.

Only four individuals survived including one nurse, Sister Vivian Bullwinkel. She was taken as a prisoner of war and returned home to Australia after the war. She later gave evidence at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal in 1947.

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 🌹

16/02/2026

🎖️ 76 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒂 🎖️

This month we proudly mark the 76th Anniversary of National Service in Australia — and here at Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch, this occasion holds a very special place in our hearts.

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑵𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏, with members spanning the very first National Service deployment right through to the final one. The full story of National Service in Australia is represented within our ranks — and we could not be more proud of every single one of them.

National Service ran from 1951 to 1972, with thousands of young Australians called up to serve their country. Many saw active service in Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, while others served at home, all making a vital contribution to Australia's defence. For decades their service was not always given the recognition it deserved — but their dedication, courage and mateship never wavered.

𝐀𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐆𝐌 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤, we were privileged to celebrate this anniversary together, honouring the contribution of our Nasho members and the legacy they carry on behalf of all who served. 🇦🇺

𝐓𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐬 — thank you. Your service matters. Your stories matter. And your mateship continues to be the heartbeat of this sub-Branch.

🎖️ 𝑾𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆. 🎖️

16/02/2026

16/02/2026

🎖️ 𝐍𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐒𝐋 𝐬𝐮𝐛-𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐆𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐩 🎖️

What a landmark moment in our history! On Saturday 15 February 2026, 51 members gathered at Wests Diggers Nelson Bay for our Annual General Meeting — and it will be one to remember for years to come.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch has elected its first female President in our 95-year history, since our establishment in 1931. This is truly a historic milestone for our sub-Branch and a wonderful reflection of how our organisation continues to grow and evolve. Congratulations and welcome! 🎉

Two newly elected Vice Presidents, and Secretary also join the executive team as we look ahead to a strong 2026.

A special and heartfelt thank you to our outgoing office bearers for their dedicated service. It was wonderful to formally acknowledge the contributions of those stepping down, including our outgoing President, Senior Vice President, Junior Vice President, Treasurer, Nasho Committee Representative, and Providore — your service has made a lasting difference to our sub-Branch and veteran community.

📢 We are still looking for volunteers to fill the roles of Treasurer and Membership Officer. If you have the skills and passion to support your local veteran community, please reach out — we'd love to hear from you!

Here's to a historic and exciting new chapter for Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch. 💙

14/02/2026

National Servicemen's Day - 14th of February

Each year February 14 commemorates National Servicemen's Day, a time when we honour the invaluable contributions of those who heeded the nation's call to service.

From the early 1950s through the tumultuous years of the Vietnam War, over 280,000 individuals proudly bore the title of "Nasho," signifying their commitment to the defence of their homeland.The inaugural National Service scheme, spanning from 1951 to 1959, stands as a testament to the dedication of more than 220,000 men who underwent three months of rigorous training across various branches of the military, including the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army, and the Royal Australian Air Force. These young Australians placed their personal aspirations and pursuits on hold, prioritizing the needs of their country above all else.

The subsequent National Service scheme, which ran from 1965 to 1972, called upon over 60,000 young men to serve, with more than 15,300 participating in the Vietnam War whilst the remainder did their duty and helped expand the strength of the Army at home when it was most needed.

These young soldiers seamlessly integrated into regular army units, and although initially trained by regular soldiers were over the years trained by fellow Nashos as well. In Vietnam and Borneo, the regular Officers, NCOs, and soldiers quickly found the Nashos were equal to any task and demonstrated courage and resilience as together with the “Regs” they navigated the challenges of war.

Tragically, more than 200 National Servicemen were killed or died during their service in Vietnam and Borneo, like all those who have their names etched on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour their sacrifice is now part of Australia’s proud history. The debt owed to the 1200 Nashos who were wounded and all who have served and suffered for the nation can never be repaid.

As we reflect upon the legacy of these 280,000 individuals, we pay tribute to their indomitable spirit, unwavering dedication and courage in the face of adversity. To all of them we say thank you for your contribution to the defence of our nation.

We will remember you.

14/02/2026

Today is National Servicemen's Day, when we honour the young Australian men who served in the National Service Schemes, known as 'Nashos'.

Over 280,000 young men were called up for national service between 1951 and 1972 with the last Nashos discharged in 1974.

Nashos served in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.

More than 200 died on active service overseas, and others died while serving in Australia.

Although many young men were proud to serve their country in uniform, national service came at a personal cost for all Nashos, irrespective of the nature and location of their service. They didn’t choose to serve – but when Australia called, they answered.

Today we honour all those who answered the call.

Please join us to commemorate their service by watching the broadcast of the national commemorative service at 11.00 AEDT on ABC or live stream the Last Post Ceremony at 4.30pm AEDT (https://www.youtube.com/c/awmlastpost)

14/02/2026

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Today marks the 75th anniversary of National Service (1951-1972).

We honour the more than 280,000 young men who were called up for national service, and remember the more than 200 who died on active service overseas, as well as others who died while serving in Australia.

To mark the anniversary, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will hold a National Commemorative Service at 11.00 am AEDT in the Great Hall at Australian Parliament House, Canberra. The service will be streamed online and broadcast nationally by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 🔗 Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21wZW6a

At the Australian War Memorial, today’s Last Post Ceremony will share the story of Signalman Alexander Henry Young, a national serviceman who served with 104 Signal Squadron in Vietnam in 1968. He was killed in action two weeks before his 22nd birthday.

▶️ Watch live on YouTube at 4.30 pm AEDT: https://brnw.ch/21wZW6b

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📸 Image: National servicemen march past at their passing out parade at Holsworthy, 11 April 1954. Photographer: Harold Vaughan Dunkley. DUN/54/0257/EC