RSL to host ANZAC Day service at Copacabana

This year’s ANZAC Day service on The Green at Copacabana will be hosted by the RSL, after Central Coast Council refused an application to run the event from the Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association of NSW (NVWA), which has hosted it since 2020.

A spokesperson said Council made the decision as the RSL is a “recognised facilitator for ANZAC ceremonies around Australia, and generally the lead in all other Central Coast ANZAC events”.

“The RSL is committed to working to unite all stakeholders for future memorial events at Copacabana,” the spokesperson said.

“Council looks forward to a successful 2023 ANZAC Day community event and will confirm future arrangements at a later date.”

Copacabana Community Association (CCA) President

Sue Steedman said the group is “delighted” that the RSL is to host the dawn service this year.

“As the largest organisation representing veterans and their interests nationally, we believe the RSL is the appropriate body to lead ANZAC Day services in an inclusive and respectful manner,” Steedman said.

“The CCA has been invited to attend and lay a wreath on behalf of our members.”

But Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association of NSW spokesperson Roque Hammal is unhappy with the decision and said he has collected almost 300 signatures on a petition and several letters of support calling on Davistown RSL, which lodged the application to host the event on behalf of the Central Coast District Council of RSLs, to withdraw it.

“I have been assisting veterans and their families (in) dealing with The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) since 1991, and later I was the Founder of The Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans’ Welfare Association of WA and NSW,” Hammal said.

“In 2021, due to the advancing ages of the Vietnam veterans remaining as volunteers, it became necessary to close down the WA Association, and the NSW Association changed its name and became incorporated.

“It is now known as The Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association of NSW.

“This was done to open the door for younger veterans to come on board to do advocacy work.

“Our association has been based in Copacabana for the past 20 years and has been active in supporting veterans of all three branches of the armed services and the Copacabana community.

“Some of our activities have included Australia Day ceremony on The Green, Clean up Copacabana Days when required, Easter for the Children on The Green, ANZAC Day services on The Green, Vietnam Veteran’s Day on The Green, Remembrance Day on The Green, collection of money for Legacy, Father Christmas for the children of Copacabana on The Green, collection of presents for the Salvation Army and receiving phone calls from veterans and Copacabana community members for assistance.

“Our association has been hosting the ANZAC Day dawn service since 2020 on The Green near the Surf Lifesaving Club, with approval from Central Coast Council.”

The Navy Veterans’ Welfare Association’s mobile memorial

Also at issue is approval in principle (not approval) from Council for the RSL to erect a permanent memorial at the site, to eventually replace the mobile memorial used by the NVWA.

“The RSL will need to lodge an application and satisfy all conditions related to a Development Application,” the Council spokesperson said.

“Council staff have met with stakeholders including the RSL, community associations and the Navy Veterans’ Welfare

Association on site to discuss the proposed location and project details.”

Hammal said the decision was an insult.

“In 2019, I designed and built a mobile memorial dedicated to all three services and the Merchant Navy for use by Copacabana residents to pay their respects to those who paid the supreme sacrifice in time of conflict,” he said.

“This memorial met with the approval of Chief of The Navy and (is) registered with the Australian War Memorial as (an) Official War Memorial.”

Central Coast District Council of RSLs President Greg Mawson said the council held no animosity towards any group.

“The RSL is the custodian of all ceremonies and services in Australia,” he said.

Mawson said Davistown RSL had been asked by the council