Garden of Remembrance at the Port Lincoln RSL

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. S.L. Game:

That this council—

1. Recognises the Garden of Remembrance at the Port Lincoln RSL as a deeply significant site for the local community, providing a space for reflection, remembrance, education and connection for veterans and their families;

2. Commends the tireless efforts of the Port Lincoln RSL, its volunteers and the local veteran community in maintaining and preserving this important site;

3. Affirms the broader importance of honouring and supporting veterans across South Australia, not only through memorials but also by addressing the challenges they face post-service, including mental health and social reintegration; and

4. Calls for continued investment in initiatives that support veterans and their families, ensuring they receive the recognition, care and services they deserve.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (17:06): 

I rise today in strong support of the motion moved by the Hon. Sarah Game, recognising the importance and deep significance of the Garden of Remembrance at the Port Lincoln RSL, both for veterans and for our broader community. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the honourable member for co-hosting the 2025 Parliamentary Friends of Veterans Forum with the minister and shadow minister for veterans' affairs yesterday, which I had the pleasure and honour to attend.

Established in 1916, the Returned and Services League, better known as the RSL, has long been a vital institution in Australian society, advocating tirelessly for the rights, welfare and recognition of those who have served our country in conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Today, nearly 48,000 South Australians proudly call themselves veterans, each bearing their own unique stories of courage, sacrifice and service.

The Garden of Remembrance at the Port Lincoln RSL holds special significance within this proud tradition. It is much more than a memorial; it is a sacred space dedicated to reflection, remembrance, education, and connection. Over 550 veterans and their spouses rest there, commemorated for their service in conflicts from the Boer War through both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and beyond. The cemetery stands as one of only four in Australia fully owned and maintained by an RSL sub-branch.

I want to acknowledge the President of the RSL Port Lincoln Branch, Mr Gary Clough, and his team of hardworking, resilient volunteers and their families who ensure that the Garden of Remembrance serves effectively as a memorial—a place to reflect, to honour and to heal. Yet, despite its importance, this treasured site faces an ongoing struggle. The dedicated volunteers of the Port Lincoln RSL bear the heavy responsibility of maintaining the garden largely on their own. They work tirelessly, demonstrating great resilience and creativity, often relying heavily on community fundraising and social initiatives such as a recent GoFundMe campaign to meet even the most basic maintenance needs.

While their efforts are commendable and deeply inspiring, the question must be asked: why should these volunteers have to struggle so profoundly to fulfil what is undeniably a collective social responsibility? The maintenance of the Garden of Remembrance is not merely about preserving history or beautifying a landscape; it is about honouring the legacy of those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. It is about educating future generations on the true cost of war and peace, ensuring the stories of sacrifice, courage and resilience are never forgotten—but honouring our veterans extends beyond memorials alone. We must also address the significant challenges veterans face when they transition from military service to civilian life.

Issues such as mental health, employment barriers, social isolation and difficulties adapting back into everyday life demand serious, sustained attention and investment. It is crucial that we as a parliament, as a society, actively invest in initiatives and support services that facilitate meaningful integration of veterans into civilian life. We have a moral obligation to help them continue making valuable contributions to our community. Properly funding these initiatives not only honours their past service but actively supports their future, allowing veterans to continue serving society in new and fulfilling ways.

In supporting this motion, let us commit not just to the memory of those who have served but to meaningful, practical and ongoing support for veterans, their families and those who dedicate themselves to maintaining such important places as the Garden of Remembrance in Port Lincoln. With those remarks, I fully support the honourable member's motion.