Albury RSL Sub-Branch

21/10/2026

To the people who have decided to start rough sleeping out in front of the Albury RSL. If you need help and support, please ask; there is plenty on offer. I don't think you are a veteran, as I would expect you to have more respect for RSL members. I will not stand for our 80-year-old veterans washing down your urine that you've been leaving at the front door. The next photo will show your face and your contempt for Albury's aging veteran community. Cantankerously. The Albury RSL president.

20/10/2026

Things are happening at ANZAC House Albury. They moved the door to the rear hall and installed a solar battery. The biggest move was moving Jan and her fundraising team to the rear shed. Jan is loving the space and is pumping out the poppy packs for the upcoming poppy drive for Remembrance Day. All packs are ready for the soldiers who will be selling them from the 26th of October.

19/10/2026

The Come and try Pickel Ball was a terrific afternoon.
Thirty-five members, partners and family met at Sneaky Cat Pickleball Complex, Albury, for two hours of pickleball, sandwiches and chat on Sunday afternoon 18 October. The activity was organised by Howlong Sub-Branch under the auspices of RSL Sport and Recreation Program. At the invitation of Howlong to join them, players and observers came from Albury, The Rock, Henty, Wagga Wagga.

Only two players confessed to being familiar with the rules of the game. Others who were familiar with tennis found the behaviour of the paddle, the ball, and the limitations of the court markings, challenging. The Complex manager gave a soldiers’ quick five minutes then left the players to it. It was a steep learning curve but gradually the ball began to flow back and forth across the net. Rod Cooper, president Far South Western District Council, and Keaton Johnson, Community Relations Partner were at the event, and both showed some promise on the court. As did our own Glenda, Gary and Barbara.

Many thanks to Howlong sub-branch, especially secretary, Julie Considine

for organising this enjoyable event.

17/10/2026

It's hot off the press and will be available at Tomorrow's general meeting—the Albury RSL Sub-Branch's 70th-edition newsletter. Watch out for the digital version early next week. Doug Hunter our Editor has done a truly magnificent job.

15/10/2026

Just a friendly reminder that our October general meeting is this Sunday October 18th. Following the meeting we are heading out
to Sneaky Cat Pickleball
3/58-98 Bennu Circuit,
Thurgoona
1pm to 3pm

15/10/2026

Noel Francis, is our Sub-Branch IT guru. He joined the regular army in July 1962 and, after basic training at Kapooka, was posted to the School of Signals at Balcombe, where he turned 21 that year. In 1963, he began an electronic technician course, which he completed towards the end of the year. He was then posted to 3LofC Signals at Ivanhoe, Vic, where he worked on and maintained some of the army's latest equipment at the time, and conducted field trials of new equipment. He completed a cypher course, qualified as a cypher technician and was promoted to corporal.
During this time, he met Jan, and they were married in July 1965.
On 1 December 1965, he flew to Vietnam via the Philippines as reinforcement to 709 Sig Troop, working to maintain communications within Vietnam and secure links to Australia. He spent some time operating the receiver station and the HF transmitter to Australia. He spent much of his time as a systems control officer, responsible for maintaining all trunk communications within the country and links to and from Australia. He was on duty when the Battle of Long Tan started, so he was well aware that something major was happening, with all the signals going back and forth.
On his return from Vietnam in December 1966, he was posted to 5 Signal Regt at Dundas in Sydney, where he remained until his discharge in July 1968.
He bought a house in Smithfield, joined the Smithfield RSL Sub Branch in 1967 and became involved with the sub-branch and youth club. Jan and Noel settled in Sydney, where they had their two children, Steven and Rhonda. On his discharge, he started work at ATN 7 Television as an outside broadcast technician, but soon moved to its videotape department, where he worked as a technician, shift leader and trainer.
After leaving CHN 7, he worked freelance as a technical director for several TV production companies. During this time, Jan and Noel bought a photo-processing lab and set up a successful wedding photography business.
In 1995, Noel became TPI and had to stop working. As the children grew up and left home, Jan and Noel sold up in Sydney and moved to Braidwood, where Noel was elected secretary/treasurer of the Braidwood RSL sub-branch, a position he held for 11 years.
Jan and Noel moved to Albury to be closer to Rhonda, Eddie and the grandchildren.
Less than 12 months after arriving in Albury, the RSL sub-branch appealed for volunteers to staff the front desk. Jan and Noel decided to help out; little did they know the commitment would keep them there for the next 16 years, filling various committee positions, including treasurer, assistant treasurer, and vice-president.

11/10/2026

We are proud to see our younger generation of veterans stepping up to lead our RSL Sub-Branch. However, we need more young veterans and members to help organise ceremonies honouring those who served in Afghanistan and in contemporary operations.

While our RSL Sub-Branch has a rich foundation built by past generations, seeing our recent service personnel drive these commemorations ensures the stories, service, and sacrifices of contemporary Diggers are remembered with the honour they deserve.

To all who served, those who were wounded, and the 41 Australians who did not come home—We had no physical service held for you today, but we remember you. Hopefully next year will be different!

If you are a modern veteran in the Albury community and would like to get involved or help with upcoming commemorations, please reach out to us.

10/10/2026

Our Secretary Glenda visited the Australian War Memorial on the 7th of October. She was offered the opportunity to lay a wreath on behalf of the Albury RSL Sub Branch during the Last Post Ceremony.
She was honoured to be part of such a beautiful service, representing our Members, Veterans & their families. A memory I am sure she will reflect on for a very long time.
The staff were amazing throughout the visit, extremely knowledgeable & a wealth of information.

Below is a link to the Ceremony, which is posted & live-streamed daily on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/live/l9hliZjwqUs?si=w3jcLbEj56SRmbKV

07/10/2026

If you have a moment, please have a look at the last post-ceremony at the Australian War Memorial from this evening. Glenda Johnston, the Albury RSL Sub-Branch Secretary, was asked to lay a wreath around the 12th minute. Glenda’s late father was a Vietnam Veteran. I think he would be very proud of her.

In the Last Post Ceremony for 7 October, we remember Lieutenant Hor...

01/10/2026

Operation slipper began 25 years ago 2001 to 2021, with 41 Australian Diggers killed and 261 wounded. Commemorative services will be held across the nation on October 11th. Albury RSL is seeking ADF members who served either during this time or on Operation Slipper to assist us in setting up a ceremony that we could hold to honour those who served, those who were killed, and those who came home changed. Our RSL is an elder cohort, but it is in the midst of a change. If you're interested, please reach out.
The picture below is Infantry from 3 RAR patrol Tarin Kowt in August 2008 as part of Reconstruction Task Force 4.