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.