The Anzac appeal: helping veterans and their families in times of need
This Anzac Day is an opportunity to remember the fallen on the centenary of the Gallipoli landing. Major General David McLachlan explains how the ANZAC Appeal assists current and former service-men and women in need.
The Returned & Services League of Australia relies heavily on donations, primarily through the ANZAC Appeal and Poppy Appeal, in April and November respectively. It is this money that goes directly to support and assist veterans and their families in times of need.
Victorians are an enormously generous donating community. The ANZAC Appeal is a primary example of this, reaching new heights in 2015, which of course is the Centenary of the Gallipoli landings at ANZAC Cove.
Much of the charitable work undertaken by the RSL goes unnoticed and in many cases, is provided without request. So often, we hear of veterans in dire need of assistance, but they still hesitate to ask or even accept assistance when offered. They believe that there are others who may be worse off than they are.
Volunteers are the cornerstone of our Appeals efforts, selling tokens and rattling tins on street corners, at train stations and in various other key locations throughout the community. The reality is we can only ask so much of our dedicated volunteers and we must continue to explore new ways to raise funds, as the needs of veterans today are more significant than ever.
It is critical that, in an appropriate and properly approved manner, we engage with corporate Australia to assist with the distribution of our ANZAC Badges, to engage in commemorative activity and to make significant donations to Veteran welfare.
An example of this is the VB Raise a Glass Appeal, which now into its seventh year has raised more than $7Million for the RSL nationally. This money has been significant, particularly in the smaller states. What’s more, through the Raise a Glass promotional campaign, significant public awareness has been raised and we are particularly pleased with this year’s campaign, commemorating the 16th Battalion AIF.
Likewise, since November 2014 each of our Appeals tokens have been available in Woolworths stores throughout the country, allowing access to people from regional and city centres where we simply can’t mobilise enough volunteer sellers to meet the growing demand. Some volunteer selling in shopping centres and communities where stores are located have also reported an increase in badge sales, likely as a result of increased awareness.
The RSL welcomes the community conversation about how best corporate Australia should commemorate ANZAC Day and is very much willing to speak to and assist all organisations, large and small to make a meaningful contribution to the commemoration of ANZAC Day and the raising of vital funds for veterans.
ANZAC Day and what it stands for is an integral part of Australian culture and society. The ANZAC Appeal is a very important time for us each year as it encourages Australians to reflect and remember the courage and sacrifice shown by our servicemen and women throughout history.
David McLachlan was born in Harden NSW on 13 March 1937. He graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in December 1959 and was allotted to the Royal Australian Army Service Corps. The early years of his service saw regimental and staff appointments in Australia. Malaysia during Confrontation with Indonesia, and in South Vietnam. He underwent training in the UK, attending the University of Reading and followed with a series of attachments to British and United States Army units in Germany. On return to Australia in 1972 he was promoted to Major and appointed Officer Commanding of a logistic unit in NSW. In 1973 he attended the Army Command and Staff College at Fort Queenscliff and was then posted to Headquarters Logistic Command as a staff officer until the end of 1977. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December 1976. In January 1986, David McLachlan was promoted to Brigadier and assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff, Headquarters Logistic Command. In July 1989 he moved to Sydney as Commander 2nd Military District where he stayed until the end of 1990. Returning to Melbourne in January 1991 he was promoted to Major General and assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding Logistic Command. Logistic Command was a national Command with 10,000 military and civilian personnel, an annual budget, excluding salaries in excess of $600m and assets valued at over $2.5billion located in 67 different locations throughout Australia. David McLachlan retired from the Regular Army in March 1994. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and promoted to Officer in the Order in the Queen’s Birthday list in 1993. He is now is the Chairman of Industry Capability Network Ltd, acts as a Corporate Advisor to a number of listed companies, is a Director of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia and a Trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance. Since June 2002 he has been the State President of the Victorian Branch of the Returned and Services League. He was also, proudly, the Honorary Colonel of the 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment. David is married to Louise; they have three children and presently live in Beaumaris.
