Ex-servicewoman says RSL clubs are 'more than pints, parmies and pokies'

Cherisa Pearce rides the waves wearing fluoro neoprene in early morning sunshine surfing with like-minded returned servicepeople and friends on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Their surf community comes together each weekend to laugh, openly talk about mental health and impress with eye-catching cozzies. The fluoro is a far cry from the camouflage and khaki of their former lives.

Her time in the military was "not always awesome", due to sexual harrassment and other challenges, but the friendships and connections she made during her career helped her through the hardest parts, she said.

And it's through these connections and her work with Australia's Returned and Services League (RSL) that Ms Pearce has found a renewed sense of purpose after two decades in the military.

"It's a lifeline for me. Now I get to listen to people and be their voice. I get a lot of joy out of it," the RSL volunteer national ambassador said.

Ms Pearce said her sub-branch has "worked hard to dispel the perception that RSLs are all about the three Ps: pints, parmies and pokies, and we focus on the three Cs: care, commemoration and camaraderie".

She is a passionate advocate for ex-servicepeople who are suffering after their time in the military.

"My career gave me the resilience and determination to help those that are still having a tough time coming out of defence," she said.

Along with her sub-branch's usual ANZAC Day Dawn Service on Currumbin Beach, Ms Pearce ran a quiet memorial for those still struggling with the unseen injuries of conflict.

"It's a very small, intimate service for veterans who can't sit in front of thousands of people because they have PTSD," Ms Pearce said.

Suicide among defence force personnel remains a major concern, a 2023 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found.

At least 1677 deaths among serving and former defence force workers were attributed to suicide between 1997 and 2021. This averages to almost 70 deaths per year.

Ex-serving women were twice as likely to die by suicide than Australia's general female population, the report found.

Ms Pearce took the national role in 2021 and hit the ground running as an advocate, particularly for female returned servicepeople.

She aims to inspire younger defence workers to join the RSL as well as listening to a range of perspectives and voices on veterans' issues.

"I had a good career, some bits were better than others, but defence still has a long way to go for making work better for women," she said.

"I'll do everything I can to be a part of that process, women have a lot to offer."