Dubbo RSL turns 70!
Staff from the Dubbo RSL Club are celebrating the facility’s 70 years of service and support in the region for returned service men and women, their partners, family and the wider community.
IT only seems a short time ago, that I wrote a report for Members, Members guests, and Visitors, on the Club celebrating its 65th anniversary, as a Registered Club. Time certainly has a habit of passing quickly these days, as I find myself writing again to celebrate the Club’s 70th anniversary, as a Registered Club.
Just a brief history of the Club, going back to the end of World War One, when the then Dubbo RSL Sub Branch, had the foresight to realise that a permanent meeting place was high on the then Committee’s goals. Back then Meetings/ Social Meetings were held in members’ homes, but as the membership grew, meetings were then held in local hotels, and afterwards in the Old Empire Hall and the Masonic Hall.
In 1947 the Sub Branch finally moved to a permanent home, now the Old Bank in Macquarie St, and was granted a licence to operate as a licenced Club, where it stayed until 1958.
In 1958 the then Committee with permission, purchased an existing building in Wingewarra St, for its new Club premises, the site the Club still operates from today. Renovations on the building commenced in 1959, with the then new Club being opened in November 1960, by Lieutenant General Sir Eric Woodward, KCMC,CB,CBEDSO, along with Lady Woodward. Along with the new premises being opened, came a name change to Dubbo RSL Memorial Club.
Over the past 57 years the Club has operated on its present site, but has seen many, many changes to the original structure of November 1960. As the Club grew, additions such as the Youth Club, Health and Aquatic Club, Multi-story car park,4 Star Motel, and purchases of properties adjacent to the mother Club, for future developments as per the Clubs Strategic Plan.
The past FIVE years, has seen the end of an era, with Mr Geoffrey Holland retiring, after 16 years as Secretary Manager, Geoffrey overseen many changes during his tenure, such as “Axe the Tax” Non Smoking Policy, and other legislative changes affecting the Club Industry, Geoffrey also saw major renovations to the Aquatic Health Club areas, and new outdoor Gaming areas.
But with the end of one era, a new era begins, with the Clubs new General Manager Mr Gus Lico, being appointed in January 2014.
Gus has brought new ideas and a different skill set, to the Club, and has overseen a major renovation to the ground floor, including the foyer, bottle shop, administration offices, new hair salon,complete rebuild of the Club bistro, Sports bar area, Child minding area, total costs of the major works was $5.5 million. This major works has proved a success with many positive comments being received. Other renovations overseen by Gus have been the Snooker area, outdoor TAB area, and Dart Club area.
The Club has also purchased more property adjacent to the Club, and are being leased on short to medium leases.
This 70th Anniversary of your Club, has seen it grow not only in membership, but also within the community as a very successful business within Dubbo City and, its surrounding areas, serving the community very well.
Staff numbers are approximately 200, and I’m proud to say that hardly a month goes by, without staff members reaching personal milestone in time served at the Club, with some staff members achieving 30years plus, which is a great personal achievement, and shows loyalty to the Club.
My many thanks to all staff members for your contributions in making the Club a friendly and welcome place to visit.
I must also acknowledge my fellow Board Members and previous Board Members over the years who have given their time and dedication in ensuring Corporate Governance and Direction is given to Management and Staff thus ensuring compliance.
As Dubbo RSL Memorial Club approaches its 70th year, as a Registered Club, its record speaks for its self, with a wonderful history of serving its members, members guests and visitors, and the community as a whole.
The Club has demonstrated over its history that it is a leader in the Club Industry across N.S.W. and beyond. Its record is something we can all be justly proud of.
There will be many promotions/ functions within the anniversary month of September for members, please make a special effort to join us in celebrating the 70th. Kind Regards, John Millar, President.