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“Military service is the greatest lesson in looking after your mates.” Camberwell RSL treasurer Daryl Christie’s experiences at Fire Support Base Coral in 1968 forged a lifetime commitment to veteran support. His powerful story spans five decades of service to his country, the community, and the RSL family. In this candid interview, Daryl shares how Vietnam shaped him, footy and the RSL sustained him, and supporting fellow veterans became his mission.

Sir Robert Risson: Quiet Strength, Lasting Legacy. We’re proud to continue our Anzac Spirit blog series by honouring a man whose leadership left a quiet but powerful mark on our community.

From the front lines of Tobruk to the heart of Melbourne’s tramways, Sir Robert Risson was a soldier, civic leader, and a steadfast supporter of the Tramways East Melbourne RSL. His legacy reminds us that service doesn’t always seek the spotlight — but it always leaves an impact.

This Anzac season, we honour the extraordinary legacy of Major General Harold ‘Pompey’ Elliott — the courageous leader, loyal advocate, and namesake of our Sub Branch.

From the trenches of Gallipoli to the halls of Parliament, Pompey embodied the values we hold dear: courage, compassion, and unshakeable mateship.

Honouring Tramways East Melbourne — A Place to Reflect: this April, we reflect not only on the Anzac Spirit — but on the legacy of Tramways East Melbourne (TEM). Our newly unveiled commemorative seat and reflection garden at Camberwell Pompey Elliott RSL are now open to all.

Take a quiet moment to remember, reflect, and reconnect with the stories that shaped our community.

Vietnam veteran Paul McCrohan OAM has dedicated decades to education, sports administration, and veterans’ affairs. His commitment spans 48 years in teaching, extensive RSL leadership, and passionate advocacy for remembering veterans’ sacrifices through school engagement and welfare programs.

From winning Twitter’s Golden Tweet to her current board roles, Cat Parker brings global leadership expertise to our RSL. This golf enthusiast with perfect recall dreams of Antarctica. With deep military family connections, she came to our RSL for ANZAC Day two-up, but stayed for the mateship.

Long-term RSL member Brian Watt served with the Royal Engineers in North Africa in the wake of WWII. He was involved in constructing a railway as well as clearing mines and defensive installations in the challenging desert conditions of Libya, Egypt and Palestine. Life after service took him to the goldfields of Ghana before he married and made a home in Australia.

One of our newest members, Elisabeth (Liz) Quinn has over 20 years’ experience in the Royal Australian Navy. She’s passionate about women’s sport, mentorship, and adventure – like hiking the Great Ocean Walk in Crocs! A sci-fi fan and dedicated leader, she’s already making waves at our RSL.

Olyve Clarke (née Sykes) joined the RSL in 1945 after serving in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service (AAMWS) during World War II. Recognized for her exceptional secretarial skills, Olyve was selected personally by Colonel Mary Douglas, the AAMWS controller, to serve as her assistant, with whom she travelled to the Solomon Islands, Borneo, New Guinea, and throughout Australia

For nearly 50 years, Barry Jones has been an integral part of the veteran community, with his military background rooted in covert operations with the SAS 2 “Sabre” Squadron in Vietnam during the early 1970s.

The history of Tramways & East Melbourne RSL Sub-branch’es – a testament to resilience, camaraderie and adaptability. Now the merged Camberwell Pompey Elliott RSL sub-branch.