Returned Services League
Origins and Early Years
- 1916: The 11th Battalion Association started in early 1916. It became the Returned Soldiers’ Association in Western Australia by May 1916.
- 1917–1918: Interstate groups formed the national Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA). Western Australia officially joined the national league in August 1918.
- First Home: The Soldiers Institute in the Government Gardens in Perth served as the organization’s first permanent base.
- 1934: The League moved to the original ANZAC House located on St George’s Terrace.
Evolution and Name Changes
- 1940: The name updated to include “Airmen’s” to reflect changing service roles in World War II.
- 1965: Simplified to the Returned Services League of Australia.
- 1990: Changed to the Returned & Services League of Australia to recognize modern serving defence members.
Although Western Australia representatives were unable to attend the national meeting in Melbourne, the state’s branch of ‘Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia’ was officially chartered on April 25th, 1917, with the WA representative participating in a national RSSILA conference in August 1917.
Notably, WA’s branch, previously known as ‘The Returned & Services League of Australia WA Brand Incorporated (RSL WA), holds a seat on the RSL National Board.