TUESDAY marks D-DAY for the state’s Returned Services League and Leeton has a part to play.
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The NSW RSL has been embroiled in scandal since last year following allegations of financial mismanagement among its executive.
As a result the entire RSL council stood aside pending an investigation into the matter, which is still continuing.
Seven existing NSW councillors are running for re-election this week, including stood-aside president John Haines,
Leeton’s RSL Sub-branch will have its chance to have a say on whether or not those members will return.
The state conference is being held in Albury with a vote to be held on who will be elected.
Leeton RSL Sub-branch president John Power was hopeful to see change at the very top.
“As a Sub-branch we have decided on who we will be voting for as our representative for this area … he is one that has been doing a good job,” he said.
“It’s going to be a very tricky and interesting vote.
“Hopefully some new people get in because too many appear to have known what was going on and never said anything to anyone.”
The investigation into the financial issues is focusing on former state president Don Rowe's credit card expenses of $475,000, including more than $200,000 in cash withdrawals and, crucially, how the state council handled questions about these payments at the time.
It will also consider some council members receiving shares of consulting fees totalling $2.5 million from the league's aged care arm, RSL LifeCare, despite holding voluntary positions.
The issues with the state body have not come without a cost.
Mr Power believes the RSL has been a dealt a blow in the process.
“We’ve had one member in our sub-branch not sign up again,” he said.
“I do think it has given the RSL a bad name, which is really unfortunate.
“It’s a real shame.”
Mr Power did reiterate at a local level the Sub-branch continued on with its work as always.
He said the issue had also in some cases been given treated badly by the media.
“There has been cases where things that are being reported are incorrect,” Mr Power said.
“I’m just looking forward to the vote and to see how it all plays out.”