200 Land Rovers offered to RSLs

This story corrected from original – Reasons here… “Free Land rovers aren’t free after all“

Plus: An update added at the end of this post…

 

Returned and Services Leagues (RSLs) around the country are being offered a share of 200 ex-Army Land Rovers being made available for use on ANZAC Day and other occasions.

FILE PHOTO (November 2013): An Australian Army Land Rover lands on a beach in the Philippines during Operation Philippines Assist. Photo by Corporal Jake Sims.

Minister for Veteran’s Affairs Darren Chester made the announcement at the Australian War Memorial today.

Mr Chester said Australia had a rich history with the Land Rover 4×4 fleet and was he pleased to think this legacy would live on for decades to come.

“Soon RSLs around the country will have their own piece of history on display to share with their communities,” Mr Chester said.

“The Land Rovers have served thousands of soldiers in the Australian Defence Force, on home soil and in operational service in Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“The Land Rover will be remembered fondly by soldiers as a tough and rugged vehicle and can now be used to transport veterans at remembrance and other services.”

The Land Rovers are being refurbished by 22 Broadspectrum mechanics and spray painters at the Defence site at Bandiana, Victoria, before distribution.

At least 100 Land Rovers will be offered through an Expression of Interest and ballot process before ANZAC Day 2019, and the balance will be available before ANZAC Day 2020.

RSLs that would like to apply are encouraged to email AMSO@defence.gov.au.

 

UPDATED (February 2025): CONTACT asked Defence for the results of this offer…

“Defence wrote to all Returned Services League (RSL) State Branches in October 2018 to seek expressions of interest in the 200 Land Rovers that were made available.

“Following assessment of the responses, 25 RSLs accepted a Land Rover on a cost recovery basis.”

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