Kristy Howarth

RSL Australia

RSL Australia is the nation's largest Ex-Service Organisation representing more than 150,000 members. The League was founded in 1916 to ensure a unified approach to address the lack of organised repatriation facilities and medical services available to those returning from service in the Great War. This ethos of compassion and service remains today as the motivating influence of the League. Our core mission has never changed and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of each generation of servicemen and women. The League provides a sounding board for the Government in the development of policy. It contributes to reasoned public debate, public education, and increased public awareness of issues relating to the Veterans' Affairs portfolio. The national office of the League is situated in Canberra. Whilst each State and Territory have a Branch Headquarters to serve the grassroots members of the League, the RSL national office's role is to coordinate and promote the national interests of the organisation, making representations to Parliamentarians, Government, various Government Departments, and to other bodies.