By Ian Peek
Why didn’t the Newport RSL Sub-Branch conduct the ANZAC Day Commemorative Services at Newport and Williamstown?
Late last year, RSL Victoria took the rare step of suspending the Newport Sub-Branch Charter, meaning it has been temporarily stripped of its official status and is unable to operate under the RSL name or brand during the suspension period. This is a serious action and usually happens due to major governance or compliance failures.
It is such a rare event that only two Charters have ever been suspended in the entire 110-year history of the Victorian Branch. The reason cited by RSL Victoria for suspension was ongoing governance concerns, including lack of transparency and issues related to building works and financial accountability.
At the time, RSL Victoria President Dr Mark Schröffel stated that “Decisions like this are never easy, however the efforts of the RSL must be focused on supporting veterans and their families”, and that “RSL Victoria has been in contact with all relevant government stakeholders on these issues over the last 12 months, leading to this decision.”
RSL Victoria took this decision after seeking assurances from the Sub-Branch Committee for more than 12 months that it would improve poor governance practices. These included concerns about the feasibility of unlawful building works subjected to a Stop Work Order by the Hobsons Bay City Council for reasons including a failure to obtain required Planning and Building Permits or necessary insurances.
As a former soldier and Returned Serviceman myself, I am proud to be associated with the group of Veterans and others who have invested considerable time over nearly two years to investigate the many issues afflicting the Newport RSL, including why the Market St premises remains derelict and uninhabitable after being closed to Veterans, their families, and the wider community since June 2023.
Regrettably, these efforts had been hampered by a dysfunctional Sub-Branch Committee that had been in place for several years. Even after RSL Victoria’s intervention at our request in December 2024, we could not obtain the necessary disclosure and cooperation from the Committee that would have prevented RSL Victoria’s difficult but essential decision to suspend the Sub-Branch Charter.
This unhappy story unfolded into a farcical and shameful spectacle in October last year, when a small number of former Newport RSL Committee members and others, under the guise of a public General Meeting, attempted to shift responsibility for the 80-year-old community institution’s decline into its current dire state. This involved self-serving theatrics, including vulgar and disingenuous attacks on the integrity and character of RSL Victoria as well as the Veterans and others who have and will continue to advocate for much-needed reform. These slurs against the RSL and loyal Veterans were all the more shameful as the 11 November 2025 Remembrance Day approached, and persisted even in the lead-up to this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations.
Fortunately, there is hope. Despite the former Committee’s refusal to cooperate with RSL investigations, including in providing access to bank accounts holding Veteran and government grant funds, RSL Victoria has commissioned a formal investigation into the highly opaque finances, assets, and business practices of the Newport Sub-Branch. Once completed, the findings will help the RSL account for monies and assets that legally and rightfully belong to Veterans and the community. These include a $200,000 grant provided by State Member for Williamstown Melissa Horne; a $130,000 grant from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund; $42,500 from the Office of Veterans and around $120,000 in operating profits from a community venue.
Investigations will also shed light on the real reasons behind the failed building program, which resulted in the destruction of the Market St premises and the waste of many tens of thousands of dollars already expended on the botched project. Importantly, it will provide an evidence-based foundation for holding those responsible to account for any malfeasance that may have occurred.
While investigations continue and the affairs of the Newport RSL are officially settled, there is an opportunity for us and the wider community to collaborate with RSL Victoria to rebuild a stronger and more effective Veterans and families support network locally. Ideally, this would include re-establishing the Newport Sub-Branch if that is still feasible.
In the meantime, my Veteran colleagues and I will continue working with RSL Victoria to get an accurate understanding of the true state of Newport RSL’s affairs. This will take some time and a lot more effort; however, we believe that the outcome will be worth it. We look forward to your support as we work through the next chapter for this iconic community institution.
