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Over 20 years’ service to Australia
Updated 11 Feb 2024 (first published Feb 2024)
Meet Vincent Hale, who is our dedicated hero for VIP Heroes Draw 17. With long-term injuries from his military service, Vincent was struggling with pain in his knees.
After navigating the DVA compensation policies by himself, an RSL Queensland Compensation Advocate (Rebecca, a “good egg”) helped guide Vincent through the claim process, resulting in his successful knee surgery.
Thanks to supporters like you, veterans have access to these vital services.
I'd like to say to the supporters of the RSL Art Union ‘thank you very much’, because without that support, a lot of the services wouldn’t be available, Vincent said.
How Vincent’s life has changed
As a Medic in the Australian Army, Vincent’s service always supported those in need. That desire to help others saw him advance to the rank of Captain, through the role of a Laboratory Technician and then, after completing his degree, he became a Scientific Officer. Throughout his service from 1984 to 2007, Vincent was deployed around Australia, abroad to Rwanda, and to East Timor twice.
While Vincent served his country for over 20 years, his connection to the military has been lifelong, with several family members also serving in the armed forces.
“My family background is military. I have an uncle that served in World War II and my father served in the Malayan emergency... my mother also served for two years as a WRAAC. My wife also has a military background... I guess it’s in my DNA,” Vincent said.
With military roots in his family, Vincent’s bond with RSL Queensland has also been a huge part of his life. His father, Denis, has always been an RSL member and after moving north, joined the Tiaro RSL sub branch. Vincent is now a life subscriber at Tiaro as well.
That bond with the RSL has only grown stronger, since he and his wife started accessing group activities hosted by RSL Queensland’s Active Lifestyles program. The program has been designed to provide Defence community members with a range of activities that focus on health and wellbeing. The activities are quite diverse and include abseiling, cooking, blacksmithing and art classes, to name just a few. Vincent and Natasha leapt into the program’s abseiling day before he tried his hand at blacksmithing.
“What we found was a good way to meet up with like-minded people, to be involved with Active Lifestyles and promote healthy living… it was a really positive experience,” said Vincent.
It was during the Active Lifestyles blacksmithing workshop that Vincent met an RSL Queensland Compensation Advocate. Vincent revealed he’d been struggling to navigate some of the Department of Veteran Affairs policies on his own. He also asked the advocate about some of his more complex medical claims.
With expertise across the various policies and legislation, the advocate was able to split up Vincent’s service into the appropriate acts and advised the correct information needed to make his claim successful. She assisted in getting provisional access to medical treatment, and while Vincent was waiting for a claim to go through, he was able to get bilateral knee surgery.
It was amazing. Now, I don't actually have pain in my life. I can navigate stairs a lot better, so it's been a really positive outcome, said Vincent.
Apart from accessing the Active Lifestyle programs and Advocacy services offered by RSL Queensland, the couple are both also involved with other RSL Queensland initiatives that help veterans and their families achieve a better lifestyle. In fact, Natasha now works as a Wellbeing Officer with RSL Queensland.
“If I was speaking to other veterans, I would suggest they contact RSL Queensland and speak to them, because there are other resources they provide too,” said Vincent.
How your support changes lives
Our regular supporters are so important for RSL Queensland to provide much-needed help to veterans and families. The money raised helps deliver a range of impactful services and programs to help in real and meaningful ways. In 2023, 20% more veterans and families were supported by RSL Queensland’s services than the previous year, including:
8,411
veterans and families supported by RSL Queensland’s services.
6,712
claims and appeals submitted to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
285
jobs found for veterans and their partners.
202
veterans and families housed in safe, permanent accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Funds raised through RSL Art Union allows RSL Queensland to provide practical support, assistance, advice and camaraderie to current and former Australian Defence Force members and their families across Queensland and nationally.
RSL Queensland’s mission is to provide care, commemoration and camaraderie to enable veterans and families to live with dignity and respect.
For example, in 2023, RSL Queensland supported 8,411 veterans and their families with their services, found jobs for 285 veterans and their partners, and helped 202 individuals into safe, permanent housing.
You can read about our services and stories at rslartunion.com.au/about/impact.
Life always has its ups and downs. But as a veteran, or the partner of a veteran, you don’t have to face them on your own.
Whether you're looking for employment, scholarships, wellness programs, or assistance with DVA claims, RSL Queensland has free programs, and people at the ready, to help you achieve your life goals.
To learn more and get assistance, visit www.rslqld.org or call 134 RSL.
Every year we bring you 10 multi-million dollar properties, some with added gold bullion or even luxury cars. Get a sneak peak at future prizes with up to 5 games available for purchase or pre-order at any time. See the VIP Calendar for more on prize draw dates.
In addition to our 10 prize home draws each year, VIP Club members have exclusive entry in two VIP-only Heroes Draws worth millions in gold bullion (subject to State/Territory Licensing approval). In other words, you must be a VIP Club member to be able to purchase these tickets. See the VIP Calendar for more on prize draw dates. Or find out about how you can become a VIP here from $5 a ticket.
Get in early and reserve your tickets before a game officially opens through pre-order. Simply add the tickets to your cart now and we won’t deduct any funds until the draw’s nominated open day. See the VIP Calendar for more on prize draw dates.
If you purchase a ticket book worth $10 or more in one of our 8 prize home draws, or a ticket book worth $30 or more in one of our 2 Golden Treasure prize home draws, you're eligible to win a Bonus Gold prize!
Ranging between $10,000 and $100,000 in gold bullion, the Bonus Gold prize is awarded to the first prize winner and determined by the value of their ticket book purchase.
For more information, please see the Terms and Conditions.
You have the option of taking possession of the gold bullion or selling the gold bullion to claim its value in cash.
Please note that selling costs and market variations apply when selling gold bullion.
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After each draw, we attempt to contact the winner by phone as the priority. The winning ticket number will also be posted on our Winners page, Facebook and Instagram shortly after the draw.
See our latest winner stories.
Full details of our current, and some of our upcoming draws are available online – see Prizes.
For the latest draw updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
If you're signed up for our emails, we'll email you on the open day of each draw, giving you all the draw details and the chance to order tickets.
See the VIP Calendar for draw dates.
The transfer of all our lottery prizes to prize winners is not taxable for the prize winner. There may be tax consequences for the prize winner for the ongoing use or sale of the prize. More detailed information can be found via the Australian Taxation Office.
Please note RSL Queensland is not able to provide financial or taxation advice. We advise all our prize winners to seek professional financial and tax advice to fully understand any implications.
RSL Art Union draws are held at ANZAC House, 283 St Pauls Terrace, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 or as specified in the Terms and Conditions for each draw. Draw results will be published online, on Facebook and Instagram.
The majority of RSL Art Union prize homes are built brand new, while some are existing homes, expertly renovated. In both instances, RSL Queensland works closely with our accredited partners in the building industry to ensure the highest quality of standards is maintained.
Due to the often residential location and popularity of our prize homes, RSL Art Union has not been permitted by regional councils to conduct open homes because of the disruption to the local community.
Our prize homes might be closed to public viewing, but you can explore them in just as much detail online, any time you like! Visit our Prize page to access draw brochures, photos, videos, floor plans and virtual tours. All addresses are listed on our prize pages, so why not take a drive past and explore the neighbourhood. RSL Art Union will continue to assess opportunities to re-open prize homes to the public into the future.