NEWS & MEDIA

The Oatley RSL Sub-Branch Veteran Kids School Holiday, learn to Sail camp was once again a huge success, with 11 veterans’ children and grandchildren stepping through the program and becoming junior sailors!

A huge thank you once again to the amazing teams at St George Sailing Club and St George 16s for providing such a fantastic experience for our veteran families and giving the kids the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and enjoy some time out on the water.

Even better, we believe we may now have another three junior sailors keen to sign up and race at St George this season! What a fantastic outcome from the program.

We would also like to sincerely thank our wonderful Oatley RSL Sub-Branch volunteers, along with all the parents and grandparents who attended and supported the kids and sailing staff throughout the camp. Programs like this simply wouldn’t happen without people generously giving their time and getting involved.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s camp and seeing even more young sailors out on the water.

Well done to everyone involved, and congratulations to our 11 newest junior sailors!

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The Oatley RSL Sub-Branch is excited to host one of the Point and Shoot 2026 - Australian Veteran Photography Exhibition's within our very own Sub-Branch Hall. The Exhibition will run from the 01st of April until the 04th of April 2026, located within the "William Billy Wright Hall" (the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch hall). 

Dates and timings as follows.

Wednesday 1st April 2026 - 1pm to 6pm

Thursday 2nd April 2026 - 10am to 8pm

Friday 3rd April 2026 - 10am to 8pm

Saturday 4th April 2026 - 10am to 8pm

Point and Shoot 2026 - Australian Veteran Photography Exhibition. Showcasing career imagery and accompanying stories from Australian veterans, this exhibition brings a voice to the unique stories of all serving personnel and provides a rare glimpse into the life and experiences of fellow Australians who have served their country.

Now in its sixth year, Point & Shoot Veterans Photographic Exhibition is coming to the national stage again in 2026.

Covering military service from post-World War II onwards, Point & Shoot commemorates a range of modern conflicts, peace operations and service.  The exhibit will feature veteran images taken within Australia or on overseas operations, with all images cleared by Defence media and approved for public display.

Point & Shoot is the concept of Point Assist founder Mark Direen, a former Infantry and Special Forces soldier with over 25 years military service including 6 overseas deployments.

Mark’s own experiences as a soldier were the impetus for this project. Operating in remote, high threat environments is both physically and mentally demanding. It was behind the lens of a camera, capturing both the ordinary and extraordinary experiences as a combat soldier he found stillness and meaning.  Looking back at a plethora of images post service, Mark then began to wonder, maybe others do this too and so the concept began.

The purpose of the Point & Shoot exhibition is not to display perfectly captured photos from professional photographers. But rather, to share some of those moments frozen in time that those who serve our nation thought were worth remembering.

The Point Assist Website:

https://pointassist.com.au/home/exhibitions/

Point Assist YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO9abAzhp2s

DVA YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i9Hz3dCArQ

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Yesterday, our team was out delivering the final Christmas hampers to local veterans and families doing it tough.

A huge thank you to our incredibly supportive local community groups who generously contributed to the hampers — the Oatley Lions Club and Crateful - Perishables and Food Items for providing perishables and food items — along with many of our own executive and members of the sub-branch who also donated goods and items for the hampers.

The spirit of mateship and Christmas is well and truly alive within the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone

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Yesterday, the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch proudly held an official naming ceremony in honour of Sub-Branch Vietnam veteran, former President and Life Member, Mr William “Billy” Wright.

With a packed Sub-Branch hall, the ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, friends, family, RSL members, and both local and federal politicians, all coming together to celebrate and formally name the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch Hall as the “William Billy Wright Hall”. This honour recognises Billy’s outstanding service to our country, his tireless commitment to our community, and his unwavering support of local veterans and their families.

We were honoured to have Mark Coure MP and Zhi Soon MP in attendance to help unveil the naming plaque and to acknowledge Billy’s service and community contributions through heartfelt speeches during the ceremony.

Sub-Branch President Mr Clay Marks said he was “absolutely honoured and incredibly proud of the Sub-Branch to be able to formally recognise one of our greatest members by naming the hall in his honour. I was also very proud of the work the Sub-Branch put into delivering such a fantastic ceremony—one that allowed Billy’s family to attend and share in this special occasion.”

Thank you once again to the Oatley community for your support, and thank you Billy for your lifelong service and contributions to Queen, country and community. 

Photos by Mark Kolbe Photography

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We are proud and honoured to see our past President and Life Member, William “Billy” Wright, featured in the latest edition of The Leader newspaper. 

This wonderful story highlights this week’s official naming of the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch hall as the “William Billy Wright Hall” — a fitting tribute to a remarkable veteran, leader, and community champion.

Thank you for your service, Billy, and thank you to our directors and members for contributing to this great honour.

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Honouring Mr William “Billy” Wright 

Today, our Federal Member Zhi Soon MP will be speaking in the House of Representatives, formally acknowledging one of Oatley RSL Sub-Branch most respected and admired members — RSL Life Member, Vietnam veteran and former Sub-Branch President, Mr William “Billy” Wright.

Billy has dedicated his life to serving his country and his community, both in uniform and through decades of tireless volunteer work. It is with immense pride that the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch has officially named our Sub-Branch hall the “William Billy Wright Sub-Branch Hall” in his honour.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Billy for his extraordinary service and lifelong commitment to his fellow veterans, their families, and the wider Oatley community. This recognition is truly well deserved.

We also sincerely thank MP Zhi Soon for his unwavering support of local veterans and for ensuring leaders like Billy are formally acknowledged within our nation’s Federal Parliament. Your advocacy for our community does not go unnoticed.

We are incredibly proud of Billy and his remarkable service. 

You can listen into MP Soon’s address, live, by clicking on the link below.
Approximate timings for the address are between 1:30pm and 2pm today.

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Today, members of the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch and our local community gathered at the Oatley War Memorial to commemorate Remembrance Day.

We came together to honour the courage, service, and sacrifice of all those who have served our nation in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

It was particularly touching today watching the children from Oatley Red Bear lay a beautifully hand made wreath with assistance from their carers, it was a beautiful moment.

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the service, including our members, local school leaders and students, local representatives, members of the community, and guests who joined us in remembrance.

Lest We Forget.

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Yesterday, members of the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch visited St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Oatley, to view the incredible chalk artworks created by the Year 5/6 students. Each drawing reflected the students’ understanding of Remembrance Day and they showed their drawings the importance of honouring those who have served.

We were genuinely impressed by the creativity, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm the students showed as they proudly explained their work. Thank you, St Joseph’s, for welcoming us so warmly - the students were wonderfully mannered, and we thoroughly enjoyed our visits.

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Draw to Remember – Oatley Public School

Yesterday, the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch had the pleasure of visiting Oatley Public School as part of the RSL NSW “Draw to Remember” initiative - a program that encourages students to reflect on the meaning of remembrance through art.

The students had a wonderful time trying on military kits and exploring our memorabilia. It was great to see their curiosity but also, respect for Australia’s servicemen and women.

A heartfelt thank you to Janelle McIntyre and Bob Richards for volunteering and helping make the day so special. Your stories and support ensure that the next generation continues to honour and remember those who served.

We look forward to returning soon!

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What a fantastic day on the water! The weather was perfect, the company even better, and only one known participant took an unexpected swim - handling it brilliantly despite his advanced years!

A huge thank you to our Vice President, Dave Giddings, for coordinating the day, and to the St George Sailing Club and members for hosting us, showing us the ropes (whilst we tripped over them) and providing such an excellent opportunity for our veterans to get out and enjoy the bay on MG class sailing dinghies.

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Oatley RSL Sub-Branch and St George Sailing Club Launch Family-Friendly Sailing Program for Veterans' Kids

In a positive step towards promoting community engagement, the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch has partnered with the St George Sailing Club to
deliver a pioneering school holiday sailing program for veterans’ children and
grandchildren.

This week marked the inaugural Veterans Kids and Grandkids school holiday Learn to Sail Camp, held at the St George Sailing Club in Sans Souci. A total of 12 children, aged between 6 and 12, participated in the week-long event, which was fully funded by the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch. 

The program aimed to introduce young family members of veterans to the fundamentals of sailing, from knot tying and rigging boats to reading weather and tide reports. Throughout the camp, children gained practical skills, experiencing firsthand how to sail yachts. Importantly, the program also embraced a family-friendly atmosphere, with parents and grandparents invited to stay, watch, and volunteer during the training sessions—making it a true activity for the whole family.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch to introduce more family-oriented sporting and recreational activities in 2025. This approach has resulted in a noticeable increase in younger veterans and their families joining the sub-branch, fostering stronger community bonds.

Looking ahead, the sub-branch will team up with the St George Sailing Club again on October 18th for a one-day adults’ ‘Come and Try’ sailing event. Members and interested local veterans will have the chance to sail MG14s under the guidance of local instructors, including an Olympic sailing champion, RSL NsW members, along with local veterans interested in attending this or other upcoming events, are encouraged to contact the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch for more information

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Father’s Day Spotlight – Lieutenant Commander Damian Briggs

Yesterday we celebrated Father’s Day, and today the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch is proud to pay tribute to one of our own: Lieutenant Commander Damian Briggs, a current serving Marine Engineering Officer in the Royal Australian Navy.

Damian has served our nation with distinction since 2001, when he joined the Navy from his hometown of Mackay, Queensland. He is also a proud Wiradjuri man, dedicated to representing his heritage with pride throughout his career.

Away from duty, Damian is a devoted dad and stepdad to Kobi, Chelsea, Ainsley and Callum. Balancing the demands of naval service with the responsibilities of family is no small task, yet Damian exemplifies the strength, resilience, and commitment shared by so many Defence dads across Australia.

We salute Damian and all fathers, stepfathers, and father figures in our veteran community for the sacrifices they make at sea, ashore, and at home.

From all of us at the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch we hope all our Dads had a great Father’s Day!

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Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025 

Today, the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch President and Vice President were honoured to attend the 2025 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards after being nominated for Adult Volunteer of the Year (President), Senior Volunteer of the Year (Vice President), and our Sub-Branch being nominated for Volunteer Team of the Year.

Out of 140,000+ nominations, we were humbled to be named finalists, as highlighted by today’s presenter. We are truly honoured and flattered by the recognition and sincerely thank everyone who put us forward for nomination. Our nominations will now progress to the pool for review for the State Awards.

We would also like to congratulate and commend today’s incredible winners:
~Young Volunteer of the Year: Jessica Farries – St John Ambulance NSW
~Adult Volunteer of the Year: Robyn Mapleson – Gymea Community Aid & Information Services
~Senior Volunteer of the Year: Joy Cuthbertson – Carlton South Full of Joy Playgroup
~Emergency Volunteer of the Year: Neil Tinker – Marine Rescue NSW Botany Port Hacking Unit
~Volunteer Team of the Year: Grow, Restore, Connect Volunteer Program – Sutherland Shire

A special congratulations goes to the amazing Joy Cuthbertson, who stole the show, being named the 2025 Southern Sydney Volunteer of the Year! As the founder of the Carlton South Full of Joy Playgroup, Joy has welcomed thousands of children and their families with a warm smile and open heart for over 50 years – a truly remarkable achievement. 

A huge thank you to everyone involved in today’s event, and once again, congratulations to all nominees and winners.

Onwards and upwards!

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Yesterday at our 81st Birthday Lunch, we had the privilege of recognising Mr Max Britton as the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch Volunteer of the Year.

Max is someone who doesn’t seek the spotlight, but his dedication, hard work, and quiet (and sometimes loud!) commitment to our Sub-Branch have not gone unnoticed. This recognition is very well deserved, and we are grateful for everything he has done and continues to do for our members and the veteran community.

Congratulations, Max!

Celebrating Our 2025 Award Winners! 

We proudly recognise and congratulate our 2025 award recipients for their incredible service and commitment to the veteran community. Your dedication, passion, and selflessness are what make the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch such a strong and supportive family.

Special congratulations to Mr Colin Bryant, recipient of the 2025 President’s Award, for his amazing, unwavering, and passionate volunteer support in his role as Treasurer. Colin has not only streamlined our operations but has also saved the Sub-Branch thousands in administration and accounting fees—funds that can now be directed back into our charitable purpose of supporting veterans and their families. His impact will be felt for years to come.

Special congratulations to Mr Max Britton, recipient of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award, for his continued and tireless commitment to veterans and their families in our local community as our Wellbeing Support Officer. Max’s willingness to step up wherever needed, whether it be assisting at commemorations, lending a hand to members in need, or being a steady source of support and encouragement, has made him an invaluable part of our Sub-Branch family.

To our award winners—thank you. Your efforts don’t just keep our Sub-Branch running; they strengthen the bonds of mateship, service, and remembrance that underpin everything we do.

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What a wonderful night members of the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch and the local community had, watching the documentary Bravery & Betrayal at the Oatley RSL Community Club. It was an insightful, fascinating, and very sobering story that reminded us of the incredible men who served with our SASR in Afghanistan during the war on terror.  

We’re immensely grateful to everyone who attended and supported this important event. Special thanks to Brigadier (Ret) Dan Fortune and Mark Direen (SASR veterans) for your service, your attendance and the insightful Q&A following the movie, Mark Coure MP for his attendance and unwavering support, Wandering Warriors, and Simon Heath (Director) for financing and producing such an essential documentary — helping to tell the truth and honour our heroes.  

Oatley RSL Sub-Branch President Clay Marks, Vice President David Giddings and Treasurer Colin Bryant were privileged to present a cheque for $1000 to Wandering Warriors on behalf of our members, with a pledge to support them even more in 2026. Additionally, Mr Tim Larkin, President of the Oatley RSL Community Club, made a donation to Wandering Warriors on behalf of the club board.  

Thank you to everyone who made this night such a heartfelt and meaningful success!

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We are incredibly honoured and proud to share some fantastic news! This morning, our President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch received a community recognition statement from Mark Coure MP (Member for Oatley) during a heartfelt service. 

We are truly humbled to be recognised within the state Parliament for our outstanding 2025 Anzac Day Dawn Service and Family Day. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire community. 

A huge thank you to all the community groups and organisations recognised today by Mark Coure MP for their remarkable contributions — together, we make Oatley a better and stronger community. 

Special thanks to our Anzac Day committee, chaired by Mr Max Britton, for their tireless work in organising a service that brought a huge and very memorable turnout. We couldn’t have done it without you! 

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 It is with great honour and excitement that we share the fantastic opportunity for us to host a screening of the powerful documentary Bravery & Betrayal at the Oatley RSL Community Club, in the sports bar, on Sunday, 3rd August 2025.

Bravery and Betrayal tells the true story of the SAS in Afghanistan. After 9/11, our nation sent the Aussie SAS into harm’s way to keep us safe. Now, 25 years later, their ongoing suffering is finally being told. The documentary features exclusive, never-before-seen interviews with officers and soldiers of the SAS, and shares poignant stories from their families. Prime Ministers Rudd, Howard, and Abbott also offer candid insights into what they knew during those critical times. American pilots reveal their perspectives, and the stories from wives, mothers, widows, and children left behind are among the most heartfelt.

The screening will begin at 2:00 pm sharp, followed by a live, face-to-face Q&A session with the producers and many of the SASR operators featured in the film. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from those who served and to ask questions in a friendly, informal setting. After the session, stay and enjoy a chat, a beer, and light refreshments.

Tickets can be purchased via the "Get tickets" link below. All proceeds go to Wandering Warriors, an organisation founded by SAS veterans to support our veterans through impactful fundraising initiatives. Wandering Warriors also contributed to making the film, which makes this event even more meaningful.

Please also join us afterwards for drinks and refreshments and or dinner at the Oat Mill and socialise with your fellow members, locals and veterans. We look forward to sharing this significant occasion with you.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we hope to see you there.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/.../bravery-betrayal-new...

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Exciting News for the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch! 

We are absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news with our community!

On 26th June 2025, the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch received formal notification from RSL NSW that their Board has approved the transfer of our Sub-Branch charter to Oatley RSL Sub-Branch Limited.

This is a significant milestone in our history — we are now officially operating as a fully incorporated entity, and proudly join the ranks of only a select few Sub-Branches across the state to reach this status.

This development not only reflects our commitment to good governance, sustainability, and service to veterans — it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

Our President, Clay Marks, shared the following with members:

⸻

Dear Members,

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news with you all. On 26th June 2025, we received formal notification from RSL NSW that their Board has approved the transfer of the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch charter to Oatley RSL Sub-Branch Limited. This marks a significant milestone for our Sub-Branch as we now operate as a fully incorporated entity — one of only a select few within the state to achieve this status.

RSL NSW will now proceed with the preparation of the new charter and will be in touch once it is ready. This development is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our amazing Secretary, Major Justine Denton, and our Treasurer, Colin Bryant. Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in fixing, completing, and submitting all the required documentation, information, and audits necessary for the incorporation process. Their commitment not only ensured the successful completion of this process but also saved the Sub-Branch thousands of dollars in legal and accounting costs by managing everything internally.

As we move forward, I want to emphasize the importance of responsible governance. The election of fit and proper persons to chair and oversee the management of our assets will be a priority to ensure the continued success and sustainability of our Sub-Branch.

Effective from 26th July 2025, the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch Model Constitution will come into effect. All our operations and meetings will now be conducted under this new constitution, in accordance with relevant state and federal legislation.

We also want to acknowledge and thank RSL NSW for their ongoing support, especially Mr. Ivan Brisot, our Sub-Branch Advisory Manager, whose unwavering guidance has been invaluable throughout this process. In fact, we have become a model for other Sub-Branches during their incorporation journey, with RSL NSW now referring other Sub-Branches to our Secretary and Treasurer for support — a true reflection of their professionalism and dedication.

As we transition into this new era, I am optimistic about the future of our Sub-Branch and the opportunities ahead. We invite all members to actively participate and join us on this exciting journey. Once our new charter is issued, we will hold a formal celebration — please stay tuned for details and your invitation.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support during what has been a challenging eight months. Together, we are building a stronger, more sustainable future for the Oatley RSL Sub-Branch.

Warm regards,
President Clay Marks

⸻

Congratulations to everyone involved — especially Justine and Colin — for making this possible. This is your win as much as it is ours.

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