Treasures from the Great Southern Region

Possibly the first membership badge for the organisation.  In Western Australia, the Returned Soldiers Association was formed prior to joining the National League in 1918.  We don't have much information about the RSA but was shown a badge by a member of the Denmark Sub Branch that could be the original badge.






The Denmark RSL Hall was opened in 1954 by the then State President, Mr Davies.  The Sub Branch used to      meet behind the civic centre but swapped land with the council to moved to its current location to allow for the expansion of the civic centre.  Below is a photograph of the opening of of the Hall on the 15th of May 1954 provided by the Denmark Sub Branch.

The Mt Barker Sub Branch was formed in 1919.  Mt Barker Sub Branch was surrounded by Cranbrook Sub Branch, Frankland River Sub Branch and Rocky Gully Sub Branch.  Competition existed between the sub branches, with Mt Barker competing with Cranbrook Sub Branch for the Walker Cup (Cricket).

Mt Barker Sub Branch remains active in the community running various events and functions.  The picture below is a programme from an event
                                                                                 sponsored by the sub branch in 1930.


The Mt Barker Sub Branch are at present located at the former kindergarten having moved from the annex attached to the shire offices.  Before this time the sub branch had a club in the centre of town proving support to the veterans and their families in the community.  The photograph above indicates the the club was formed in 1921 and was a war memorial club.

Great Southern Sub-Branches of the RSL

From the 15th to the 18th of February we will be travelling to the sub-branches of the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

15th   Gnowangerup Sub-Branch
16th   Albany Sub-Branch
17th   Denmark Sub-Branch
18th   Mt Barker Sub-Branch

Together with the visits we have scheduled to the sub-branches in the region we are looking at the sub-branches that were formerly in the area and have since closed down.  Information about Jerramungup, Ongerup, Tambellup, Cranbrook, Frankland River and Rocky Gully is also being sought.

What we are looking for are;

Photographs of sub-branch members, functions or commemorative services

Photographs of Hall or meeting place

Photographs of Memorials in the custody of the sub-branch

Photographs of Honour Boards and Rolls in the custody of the sub-branch

Documentation relating to the sub-branch the formation and/or operation of the sub-branch for example sub-branch charters, minutes and membership records.

We will also be conducting oral histories with those affiliated with the League focusing on the history of the sub-branch and the role of the sub-branch within the community. 

We will be equipped with a video and stills camera with which to conduct video oral histories and a scanner to make digital copies of any photographs or documents relating to the sub-branch.  All original material will be returned to the owner.

The Great Southern Region contains some of our oldest sub-branches in Western Australia with Albany, Denmark, Gnowangerup and Mt Barker all formed between 1916 and 1919.   Most of the sub-branches operated with the support of Womens Auxiliaries of which none are currently active.   

Anyone with any information about the sub-branches in the Great Southern Region can come and visit me at the sub-branches as per schedule above or contact via email at rslcentenary@gmail.com

View Great Southern Region in a larger map