Malcolm King argues that the Returned and Services League (RSL) needs to change to cater to young people. But the mission of the RSL is the well-being of ex-members of the Defence Force and their families, not running restaurants, bars and poker machines. Thankfully the number of personnel in the military has decreased since WW2 and therefore so has the number of potential RSL members. I suggest that RSL branches should close down their operations in a dignified way, where there is no longer the need for them and not become just entertainment venues which play a funny tune at 6pm.

Giday tomw

CLUBS that are RSL CLUBS are businesses serving their paid-up Membership (WHO DON'T NEED TO BE EX-SERVICE people) and paying guests. These CLUBS with Boards of Directors and employees have, as part of their role to cater to young people. These CLUBS are not permitted to discriminate on age other than the usual "under 18". As part of service to Members these CLUBS can run restaurants, bars and (depending on state rules) poker machines.

BRANCHES of the RSL as BRANCHES (or SUB-BRANCHES) cater to the needs of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen.

Contrary to what you say there are RSL CLUBS that are quite profitable with $millions in assets. RSL BRANCHES or SUB-BRANCHES have no right to close the CLUBS - 6pm last post or not.

RSLs, particularly the small / mid size suffer such capture as well as Bowls Clubs. But the worst tend to be the "Ethnic" clubs, at a place last week (earlyish) and they had 6 on where 1, maybe 2 would have done. Families and sinecures are rampant.

Know another where cheques were being written for services. Problem there were no services, one was for someone who was having a difficult pregnancy (hospitalisation) and then birth and did not work for them. The hubby was livid they tried to drag his wife into it.