Hope to Inspire War Animal Day Around Australia

To help inspire organisations such as clubs and schools around Australia, to commemorate War Animal Day on February 24th each year, Cronulla RSL have established a helpful downloadable guide, to assist staff with implementing the special day in their commemorative calendar.

In 2019 Minister Scott Buchholz announced in Federal parliament that the 24th February would be Australia's official War Animal Day. Australia joins other countries, including the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in officially recognising the deeds and sacrifices of our war animals serving alongside our troops, with their own day of remembrance.

Animals have been put to many uses in war; serving as transport, beasts of burden, messengers, protectors, mascots, and pets. They have played an important part in all wars in which Australians have been involved. This day, Purple Poppy Day, helps us reflect on the deeds and sacrifices made by animals in conflict and here on our own shores.

In 2023, Cronulla RSL recognised National War Animal Day, and the important roles that animals have and continue to play in war and on our own shores. A special memorial service was held at the Club’s Memorial Garden.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cronulla RSL, Sue McNeill commented, “local veterans have educated us on the courage of animals who have served their country and the peace they have fought hard to achieve. It is only fitting that we commemorate our service animals on this day, acknowledging the sacrifices they too have made.”

Cronulla RSL fundraising activities on ANZAC Day 2021, 2022 & 2023, have raised over $22,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & the Sutherland Shire’s local Military Working Dog, Manic.

Because of the typical age of military working dog’s retirement, the people who take on responsibility for veteran dogs are unable to take out pet insurance to help with the costs of their veterinary care. Unfortunately, many of the significant health costs come at the end of a dog’s life. This can be a significant impost on those that have given our military working dogs their retirement home.

AWAMO are currently working tirelessly to support and provide much-needed food, medication, and ground support to those helping the innocent animals of Ukraine suffering through conflict via their sub-branch, Australian Animal Aid.

‘We hope that our efforts encourage other clubs to support their local service dog, and get behind AWAMO’ said McNeill.

The War Animal Day guide includes useful resources, such as event planning, execution and marketing tools. Also included, is a letter template for individuals to use when contacting their local club, requesting that they consider adding War Animal Day to their commemorative calendar.

Cronulla RSL have raised over $22,000 for AWAMO & local Veteran War Dog, Manic (pictured on ANZAC Day 2023).

For their efforts in this space, Cronulla RSL have been announced as a finalist in the 2023 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards, in the ‘Heart of the Community’ category.

The Heart of the Community Award recognises the outstanding efforts of clubs that have had a significant positive impact on their community by contributing to and/or improving the social, cultural, financial or environmental wellbeing of the community.

The Club’s nomination “No Dog Left Behind” was based on these club’s fundraising efforts to support the Australian War Animal Memoiral Organsiation (AWAMO) and the Sutherland Shire’s local Veteran War Dog, . In addition, Cronulla RSL was recognised as the first RSL club in NSW to establish an AWAMO supported memorial plaque for war animals and the first club in Australia, to provide a retired war veteran dog club membership

All finalist’s stories are reviewed by an independent panel of judges, who score nominations based on a judging criteria. Judges for 2023 include Gemma Rygate (CEO The Centre for Volunteering), Nathan Hindmarsh (ClubsNSW Ambassador), Louise Roberts (National Editor 360 Commercial for News Corp Australia) & Steve Pearce (CEO Surf Life Saving NSW).

Winners of the awards will be announced at the 2023 Clubs & Community Awards Night, held in Sydney on the 18th May.