Statement to the Headland Preservation Group meeting to address the partial divestment of HMAS Penguin
RSL Australia and RSL NSW presented a statement supporting HPG at the recent Public Meeting (held on Thursday 21 May at the Mosman Club, Mosman NSW).
RSL Australia and RSL NSW stated that they: “…will continue to support and collaborate with the Headland Preservation Group and other organisations to preserve our military and community heritage. “
You can download a PDF copy of the statement here ➞
Read the full statement below:
Statement to the Headland Preservation Group meeting to address the partial divestment of HMAS Penguin
RSL Australia and RSL NSW thank the Headland Preservation Group for its hard work and advocacy to address the partial divestment of HMAS Penguin, and for the opportunity to support efforts to retain this important site within the Defence estate.
RSL Australia and the seven state and territory Branches represent 1,087 Sub-branches/ locations and over 153,000 members, promoting the interests of current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families.
Our veteran community understands and agrees with the rationale for auditing properties held and divesting properties that no longer hold strategic or operational value, are straining resources that could better be used elsewhere, and/or could have greater benefit to the community in other hands.
However, divestment decisions must be made in the context of today’s environment of new and evolving strategic challenges and provide a greater benefit to the community by being divested than by being retained. That means taking a principles’ based approach to divestment that is measured, fair, grounded in transparency – and that will deliver the best outcomes for Defence, serving members including Reserve and Cadet members, veterans, their families, and the broader Australian community.
The lack of consultation and concern for the views of members of the veteran and broader communities is palpable, concerning and ongoing. Evidence presented to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Reference Committee Inquiry has exposed the lack of research and consultation undertaken in making decisions of national importance.
HMAS Penguin is one of the most important Defence sites in Australia. It is still used for Navy training and accommodation, has irreplaceable military and community heritage value and is home to a pristine and ancient angophora forest. As well as the risk of loss to the community, it is clear that that the Government has not learnt lessons from previous divestment exercises that did not realise expected financial returns and were ultimately abandoned.
Many of these issues, together with strategies to save HMAS Penguin will be discussed today. RSL Australia and RSL NSW will continue to support and collaborate with the Headland Preservation Group and other organisations to preserve our military and community heritage.
21 May 2026