Timely makeover for Bulls RSA base after truck crash

The RSA base in Bulls is looking as slick as ever, one year on from a devastating truck crash that wiped out the front of the building.

The Rangitı¯kei association was rocked two weeks out from Anzac Day last year when a truck crashed into its clubrooms in High St.

It was the second major crash to the building, after a truck failed to negotiate the sharp corner in 2012. A 37-year-old driver died.

Two people in the truck were uninjured in last year’s incident, but the building’s front veranda was badly damaged.

The street was scattered with debris and closed for most of the day.

Despite the damage, more than 800 people attended the service last year. Many of them made their way back to the RSA for breakfast.

Although spokesman Rob Holland said it was ‘‘taxing’’ to clear the front of the building in time, the day otherwise went as planned.

The club was positioned on a sharp bend and a lack of concentration often caught drivers unaware, Holland said.

‘‘It didn’t stop our operation, but it was something you didn’t need.’’

The club pleaded with officials to install rumble strips, although those requests have been repeatedly denied.

But the crash is in the rear-view mirror after the completion of a year-long community effort to give the old building a grand makeover.

Holland said the project involved painting and gardening and was aided by Bunnings Feilding, which donated a lot of the materials.

It started with a fresh coat of paint to the outside of the club and later involved installing gardens, surrounding the base.

The building’s timely rejuvenation comes just before the town’s Anzac service, which took place at 6am on High St.

A big crowd was expected at the post-service breakfast.

Holland said the association relied on the goodwill of the community.

With the building now looking younger than ever, he said the association was now the talk of the town.

‘‘It’s the best it’s looked in many, many years,’’ he said.