After a tumultuous few years, the NSW Returned and Services League (RSL) says it needs to refocus on caring for veterans and their families.

Key points: The NSW RSL has about 350 sub-branches and 35,000 members across the state

The NSW RSL has about 350 sub-branches and 35,000 members across the state CEO Jon Black believes the organisation needs to modernise to help all veterans and their families

CEO Jon Black believes the organisation needs to modernise to help all veterans and their families Other charities such as Soldier On and Walking with the Wounded have attracted younger veterans

With a former president facing fraud charges and a report finding their fundraising compliance had failed, the Returned and Services League has faced some of the greatest challenges in its century-long history.

The organisation believes these issues, along with a lack of action, has meant younger veterans have been left behind by the RSL and the gap in services has led to the popularity of other charities such as Walking with the Wounded, Soldier On and Defence Sheds.

"I think the RSL, regrettably, has been too inward looking," said the organisation's new chief executive, Jon Black.

"But there is a mood, a positive mood to move forward so that we can demonstrate as a 100-year-old organisation we can modernise and support every veteran and their families.

"We need [defence personnel and veterans] to reach out to us too, so we can listen to them and find out what we need to provide to them, particularly when transitioning out of the services and what we can do to help that process."

'Alarming' veteran suicide rate

Male veterans under the age of 30 are committing suicide at double the national rate, indicating a serious failure in support and services.

Mr Black said he believes this disturbing figure can be reduced with action from the RSL.

"These statistics are alarming and the RSL will play a key role in the future here," he said.

"It's about valuing people, rebuilding their esteem.

"Having been a serviceman myself, I can understand how they feel when they leave a family that's been part of their life for a long time, and they feel lonely.

"We've got to stop looking at ourselves internally and look at helping others."

Young veterans turning away from RSL

The need to give younger veterans a better experience with the RSL is at the forefront of David Abbott's mind.

In 1997 when Mr Abbott joined as a young veteran he says he was made to feel as if he had "two heads and six eyes" by older members.

RSL member and former soldier David Abbott from Wagga Wagga is confident the RSL can attract younger veterans. ( ABC Riverina: Emma Brown )

After two years he withdrew from the organisation, but rejoined a decade ago.

Now a sub-branch secretary, Mr Abbott says he is hopeful about where the RSL is heading.

"As an organisation we have almost failed to engage with a lot of our younger veterans," he said.

"So organisations such as Soldier On, Defence Shed, Wounded Warriors have filled that need and that is a detriment to the New South Wales RSL.

"What we can do to address that is hopefully start working closely with these other organisations.

"The social aspect of Veterans Health Care is probably one of the most significant things that people fail to think about.

"A lot of veterans don't feel comfortable dealing with members of the public … getting veterans out of the house to meet and socialise with other veterans does wonders for their mental health — it restores confidence.

"Moving forward, I think that's something that the RSL has to definitely address."

Optimism for the future

One of the organisations Mr Abbott wants to work with is Defence Shed, a program based on the Men's Shed.

Jason Frost is one of the driving forces behind the scheme, which aims to bring together current and ex-Defence personnel and their families in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Soldier On is one of the organisations some RSL members feel are succeeding at catering to the needs of younger veterans. ( Supplied: Soldier On )

Mr Frost says bringing the program to the regional centre happened in part because he felt there was nothing else available, including from the RSL.

"I spent 16 years in the Army, you're in quite a tight-knit environment … that civilian side of the shop is not something you're exposed to a lot while you're in the military," he said.

"A lot of these guys are suffering from mental health issues, physical injuries and things that are really slowing them down and keeping them locked up inside their house.

"[The NSW RSL] seemed to have got stuck in their old ways … which slowed down a lot of progress.

"However, that's changed now, and I'm very optimistic about the future of the RSL.