RSL NSW Chief Executive Officer Mr Jon Black will be visiting Parkes this Thursday to discuss the new RSL NSW Strategic Plan for 2020-2025.
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It will all take place during a meeting at the Parkes Services Club commencing at 7pm.
Parkes RSL Sub Branch secretary Paul Thomas said the discussion will be prime in NSW's move into 2020, as less than 10 per cent of its 30,000 service members are under the age of 55, and less than 1000 are under 39 years of age.
"With 89 per cent of current RSL members 55 years or older, including 32 per cent who are over the Australian male average life expectancy age, it is clear that without intervention, RSL in NSW will no longer be a viable organisation from between 10 to 18 years from now," Mr Thomas said.
"One of the major aims of the Strategic Plan is to tackle the declining membership and a reversal will see net numbers increase by about 10 per cent a year.
One of the major aims of the Strategic Plan is to tackle the declining membership.
- Parkes RSL Sub Branch secretary Paul Thomas
"And with participation of new younger veterans will see the average membership age decrease from 76 to 65 years of age."
Mr Thomas also said that another of the major aims is to support veterans and their families through access to services that improve their health and wellbeing; to assist in transition to civilian life and connection to community, and foster camaraderie and commemorate service.
READ MORE: Anzac Day services fall victim to spreading coronavirus but Parkes RSL Sub Branch is currently discussing its next steps.
Mr Thomas said the meeting is open to all ex-service personnel irrespective of whether you are a current member of the RSL.
Members from Condobolin, Forbes, Peak Hill, Trundle have also been invited to join their compatriots from Parkes at the meeting.
In the past four weeks Mr Black has been addressing large gatherings across the state and has received enthusiastic responses, especially among the younger veterans and he hopes that as many as possible, either serving or ex-service personnel, can attend this important meeting.
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