Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch

21/03/2026

20/03/2026

Lest we forget.

20/03/2026

The animal cost to war is worthy of commemoration by us x

6 Million Lost Horses

A Black-and-White Cry of War
This is not just a photograph of old saddles, it’s a silent scream from the past — a haunting echo of pain endured not only by soldiers, but by those too often forgotten: the horses.

These saddles once rested on the backs of loyal, powerful animals who never chose war.
They didn’t understand the cause — they simply followed, through snow, starvation, fire, and chaos.

An estimated 2.7 million German army horses died during World War II, with the vast majority lost on the Eastern Front. In the battle for Stalingrad specifically, the German Sixth Army and its allies lost approximately 52,000 horses.

During Operation Barbarossa, over 200,000 horses died from starvation, exposure, or combat wounds.

The German army lost over 179,000 to 189,000 horses in December 1941 and January 1942 alone.

Stalingrad Encirclement: Along with the 6th Army, Romanian forces reported around 3,300 horses remaining at the time of encirclement, with massive losses of these animals due to freezing, starvation, and consumption by soldiers as food.

While many died from artillery fire, a vast number died of heart failure due to overwork, extreme cold, and starvation, often serving a 6-week lifespan in combat conditions.

While German forces used an estimated 2.75 million horses, the Soviet Union used over 3.5 million horses.

17/03/2026

🦜 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨! 🖤
A few of our Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch members recently had the absolute pleasure of visiting a friend's home to spend some time with their beautiful birds — and honestly, what a treat it was! 😍

From cheeky Black Cockatoo kisses 🖤 to stunning Blue-and-Gold Macaws who clearly have NO problem making new friends, these gorgeous birds brought so much joy and laughter to everyone lucky enough to be there.

There's something truly special about the bond between people and birds. They don't judge. They don't care what you've been through or what's weighing on your mind. They just show up, climb on your shoulder, and remind you to smile. 😊

For our veterans and members, moments like these are a beautiful reminder that connection — even with our feathered friends — can go a long way in helping ease the stresses of life.

We are grateful for friends who share their wonderful animal family with us. 🙏

Who else is a bird lover? Drop a 🦜 in the comments!
🦜🖤💛💙

17/03/2026

🎉 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙙𝙖𝙮!

Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch members were proud to be part of this incredible milestone for veterans and their families across the Hunter region. The Hub — made possible through funding from the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs in partnership with RSL NSW and RSL LifeCare — is a game changer for localised veteran support. 🙌

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh officially opened the Hub alongside RSL NSW Acting President Vince Williams, RSL LifeCare Interim CEO Drew Pearce and RSL NSW Acting CEO Trina Constable.

And look... we're not going to pretend we DIDN'T check out the kids zone. Because honestly — how could you not?! 😂 Those nooks under the stairs were calling our names and we answered. No regrets. 🛝

This hub is a wonderful resource for veterans, families and the wider community, and we couldn't be prouder to see it open its doors.

16/03/2026

BZ Thank you for your service

15/03/2026

🌺 𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 — 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲! 🌺

Since COVID first brought us all to a standstill, the dedicated ladies of the Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch Auxiliary have been quietly doing what they do best — knitting and crocheting with heart & soul, purpose, and incredible patience.
After years of work, stitch by stitch — and as you can see, even lying on the floor to get the job done! 😂 — they have finally completed TWO stunning Poppy Blankets, just in time for ANZAC Day 2026! 🧶❤️

These beautiful blankets are a true labour of love and a magnificent tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. We are so incredibly proud of every single one of these remarkable women. 👏👏👏

Want to see these amazing creations for yourself? Come along to our ANZAC Day Main Service on Saturday, 25 April 2026 at the Cenotaph, Apex Park, Nelson Bay from 10:45am. 📍

📋 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙉𝙕𝘼𝘾 𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢:
🌅 𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 — 5:30am–6:00am, Cenotaph, Apex Park
🥞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 at Wests Diggers (prepaid — book at Wests Nelson Bay Reception)
🎖️ 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 — Form up 10:00am, Public Car Park next to Nelson Bay Bowling Club. Step off 10:15am
🌺 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 — 10:45am–11:30am, Cenotaph, Apex Park (come see the Poppy Blankets!)
🍽️ 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧 — 12:00 noon at Wests Diggers (limited to 200 — book early!)

Lest We Forget 🌹
Nelson Bay RSL sub-Branch
🌐 www.nelsonbayrslsubbranch.org.au

15/03/2026

🐣🥚 Happy Easter from the Nelson Bay RSL Sub-Branch! 🥚🐣
We had a very special visitor crash our Monthly Lunch today
The Easter Bunny himself stopped by to spread some Easter cheer with our members! 🐰

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces enjoying great food, great company, and a few sweet Easter surprises courtesy of our fluffy friend. A big thank you to the Wests staff for making it such a fantastic afternoon, and to everyone who came along and made it such a memorable occasion.

Wishing all our members, families, and supporters a safe and Happy Easter! 🌟
Lest We Forget. ✨