RSL WA Centenary

The Listening Post - first two decades due for release

In 1936, the RSL in WA began to explore options in relation to the provision of a War Veteran Home in Western Australia.  In a report printed in the October 1936 edition of the Listening Post, it was said that efforts made to support returned service personnel were ‘in the direction of assisting to consolidate the position of the man in his own home, which position advancing years may jeopardise’.

A committee was put together to explore the feasibility of the project and a report submitted to congress in 1936.  The committee was tasked with examining;

·         Estimate of numbers (present and future)

·         Acquisition or erection of premises

·         Government, administration and maintenance

·         Finance (and sources of)

·         Admission (conditions of)

It was calculated that in 1936 there were forty six war veterans in institutions in Western Australia, namely the Old Mens Home at Dalkeith, and the Salvation Army Retreat.  A considerable increase was predicted over the next ten years with estimates ranging from 300 – 500.  Adelaide, Launceston and New Zealand were all put forward as examples where work had already commenced in establishing War Veteran Homes.

The recommendations of the committee were that a ‘cottage-colony’ or separate homes were out of reach of the League at that time.  The committee suggested concentrating on providing inmates with ‘outdoor relief’ in the form of cash, food, clothing, board, lodging and medical attention and to explore the possibility of extending the Old Men’s Home at Dalkeith.

It would be another ten years before the League operated a War Veteran Home at Faversham House in York.  Faversham House was subsequently sold in 1961 with the opening of the War Veteran Homes at Menora which fulfilled the committee recommendations in 1936 of a ‘cottage-colony’.