Tamworth has secured the prestigious NSW RSL State Congress for three consecutive years, in a major win expected to deliver more than $500,000 to the local economy.
More than 600 delegates will descend upon Tamworth from October 24–26, 2025, for the first Congress ever to be held in the city — and notably, the first time it will run across a weekend.
“It’s exciting,” said Tamworth RSL Sub-Branch President David Howells.
“This is the first time we’re having Congress in Tamworth.”
Tamworth Regional Council has backed the event with a three-year sponsorship worth $60,000, supporting Congress from 2025 to 2027.
The successful bid, which was shortlisted alongside Bathurst, Wollongong and Liverpool, was supported by both Council and the Tamworth RSL Sub-Branch and assessed on costings, catering, accommodation, transport links and access to the CBD.
The event will be held at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre (TRECC), which RSL NSW said could accommodate more people than previous host venues, including Newcastle. That means more observers can attend, creating a stronger flow-on effect for Tamworth’s economy, hospitality, and tourism operators.
Observers can include anyone from any RSL sub-branch across the state, and for those in the New England and North West, the local location makes attendance easier than ever.
“For the sub-branches in the New England and North West, it’s a great opportunity because not all of them attend Congress normally,” Mr Howells said.
“But having it nice and close to home will probably mean we will see a better representation from the region’s sub-branches.”
Congress is where major decisions for RSL NSW are made, including proposed constitutional changes, advocacy efforts, and voting on national matters relating to veterans’ services and the wider RSL community.
The three-day event will begin on the Friday with a welcome ceremony featuring the Governor of NSW, followed by awards presentations and a formal reception, which Mr Howells said is “always a big event.”
Saturday features a series of presentations, reports, and guest speakers, followed by the RSL’s sport and recreation program in the evening.
“On Saturday night, there is a sport and recreation program which is something RSL NSW instituted because it helps with the socialisation of veterans and RSL members and decreases social isolation,” he said.
Sunday will bring the RSL NSW Annual General Meeting, where members will vote on minutes, policy directions, and any constitutional changes. Government lobbying matters and national-level issues also form part of the official agenda.
With the Congress now falling on a weekend, Mr Howells said it’s hoped the format will also attract more younger veterans, whose weekday work commitments may have previously prevented them from attending.
“It’s a fairly big full-on program and it will showcase Tamworth and bring people here who might return for say the Country Music Festival or other events like that,” Mr Howells said.
As part of the event, the Tamworth RSL Sub-Branch will also host a raffle featuring local produce, including contributions from distilleries, honey makers, breweries and other regional producers.
“Our sub-branch will run a raffle of local non-perishable produce showcasing our distilleries, honey makers, breweries and all sorts of other produce from Tamworth and the New England and North West,” he said.
Those interested in donating can do so at the Tamworth RSL Sub-Branch office, located on the corner of Bridge and Denison streets.
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