RETURNED & SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA (Queensland Branch)

283 ST PAULS TERRACE FORTITUDE VALLEY Q 4006 Phone: (07) 3634 9444

Media Release
28 October 2013

RSL and Military Nurses Unite for Queensland Poppy Appeal

RSL carers and military nurses from conflicts past and present joined forces today to launch the RSL (Queensland Branch) 2013 Poppy Appeal in Brisbanes Anzac Square. For almost as long as nurses have been serving in the Australian military, the RSL has been caring for returned service personnel. Chief Executive Officer Chris McHugh CSC said the RSL in Queensland is provides contemporary care and support in the same compassionate way that dedicated nurses do on the frontline. For many brave soldiers, coming home doesnt mean the fight is over, Mr McHugh said. They need support for physical and emotional wounds. A lot has changed in the 97 years that the RSL has been offering support services for returned servicemen. For instance, our modern day services include rehabilitation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which affects more than 20 per cent of returning personnel. The RSL is constantly evolving to meet the needs of veterans young and old. Supported by funds raised through the annual Poppy Appeal, RSL (Queensland Branch) assistance includes: Low cost and emergency housing Respite accommodation Hospital visits Emergency funding Poppy funeral services Pension, Advocacy and Welfare Service (PAWS) program.

PAWS has been refined into a dynamic and professional service which secures current and former service personnel their rightful entitlements. RSL (Queensland Branch) Veteran Services Manager Tom Le Cornu said veterans in their care acknowledged the nurses, whose role was sometimes overlooked. We honour these nurses who are often in the field and whose contribution to freedom and liberty is a critical component of mission success, Mr Le Cornu said. Nurses provide first level support and, afterwards, the RSL welfare teams pick up the baton to continue caring. Defence Service Nurses RSL Sub-Branch QLD President Wendy Taylor said it was gratifying to know their work was continued long after the initial trauma. Looking after for our servicemen and women doesnt end when the conflict has ceased, Ms Taylor said.

The patching up we begin is just the first step towards recovery. Australians have on ongoing duty to these servicemen and women and thats where the RSL steps in. Army nurse Captain Timothy Hughes said Defence nursing offered variety, challenges and travel that you cant get as a civilian nurse. Australian military nurses are a pretty exclusive club, and its great to be here today to swap stories with the past nurses and lend our support to the ongoing care of our veterans, Capt. Hughes said. Australian nurses have served in every conflict since the Boer War. Their motto is Pro Humanitate - For Humanity. For more information about the RSL Poppy Appeal, 28 October-11 November 2013: www.rslqld.org/events/poppy-appeal MEDIA CONTACTS: Andrew Trewin Sequel Communications 0403 090 915 or (07) 3251 8111. Vasili Loizou - RSL (Queensland Branch) 0424 755 321 or (07) 3634 9423.

BACKGROUND
The RSLs free Pensions Advocacy & Welfare Service (PAWS) was established to provide a range of ongoing care for Australian service personnel. Veterans and members of the Australian Defence Force who have an injury or illness related to their service or have been discharged on medical grounds may be entitled to certain benefits. PAWS officers are qualified under a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) program to provide advice and advocacy regarding entitlements according to service history. RSL (Queensland Branch) PAWS staff and volunteers can assist with: Disability pensions Compensation payments Allowances and income support payments Information on treatments available to veterans.

PAWS teams also visit terminally ill or sick soldiers and veterans in hospital, spend time counselling soldiers and their families, and organise and/or attend funerals for veterans with no known family. RSL (Queensland Branch) supports soldier recovery centres in Brisbane and Townsville, and operates emergency accommodation for veterans in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns. Veteran Service Locations: Brisbane - 283 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley. 07 3624 9444 Cairns 129 Abbott Street, Cairns 07 4031 5446 Greenslopes Private Hospital Newdegate Street, Greenslopes 07 3394 7294 Hervey Bay Legacy House, 1 Bryant Street, Pialba 07 4194 1511 Maroochydore 43 Cottonwood Street, Mudjimba 07 5458 8302 Rockhampton 214 Quay Street, Rockhampton 07 4922 7747 Southport 10 Welch Street, Southport 07 5526 3471 Toowoomba 126 South Street, Toowoomba 07 4636 5712 Townsville 139 Charters Towers Road, Hermit Park 07 4721 1530 For more information visit: www.rslqld.org/veteran-services
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