The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) is a National Organisation operating through National Headquarters, State Branches, District Boards and Sub-Branches. The RSL ideals and objectives which had characterised the initiation of the first state associations in 1916 were correlated and finally adopted, in the following form, as the aims and objectives of the League. Objectives Assist and care for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their dependants who are sick, suffering from mental illness, elderly, homeless or otherwise in need of relief. Support serving personnel of the Australian Defence Force at home and abroad and actively assist them in their transition to civilian life, especially if they are detrimentally affected by their Defence service. Provide assistance to serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their dependants to secure compensation, benefits and assistance that they are eligible to receive under law. Assist in the preservation of the memory, honour and records of those who suffered and died for Australia. Do any act, matter or thing which is ancillary or incidental to carrying out these Objects. WA State Branch RSLWA has 7,528 Service Members and 2,230 Affiliates (as at November 2017) that belong to a network of 129 Sub-Branches ranging from several thousands in the metropolitan and regional centres, to but a few in small rural areas who are determined to retain the identity of the ex-service community in their location.