Community
1 November, 2023
RSL rolls on with hall work
LOOKING to improve the sub branch and finalise the restoration of the 94 Gordon St hall, the Gordonvale RSL Sub Branch has elected a new committee that aims to bring more efficacy and effectivity to their projects.
Elected on October 8, Gordonvale Sub Branch president Phil Bertuch said the special general meeting looked to address effectivity issues within the organisation to improve processes ahead of Remembrance Day and to help speed up the restoration of the RSL hall.
“We were at a stage where things were not getting done because there were disagreements, so we held a special meeting and voted a new committee,” Mr Bertuch said.
“It’s going to take time, but we want the betterment of the RSL, and to finish the restoration of our hall.”
The new committee is made of president Phil Bertuch, deputy president Glenn Lee, vice-president Ian Simms, treasurer Peta Ison and new board members Stephen Carr, Tony Leslie, Minio Canton and Bob Jameson.
With the restoration of the RSL hall on Gordon St ongoing, the new committee is focusing on raising the rest of the money necessary for the project.
“Currently there is a couple of hundred thousand to be paid, we have to also pay $500,000 in labour but it has been 90 per cent volunteer work. We have members who are painters, carpenters and steel workers who are helping us,” Mr Bertuch said. “We received $163,000 from the RSL in three grants, which we’ve only had $60,000 so far, we received $30,000 from the casino grant, $20,000 from the women’s auxiliary and $20,000 from Bob Katter.
“We’ve put in the roof trusses, the gutters, it’s all category six cyclone proofed which the building couldn’t have withstand before, two thirds of the walls have been done, they have been sheeted with plaster, cleaned the floor, bar has been restored.
“And we’re hoping to have everything done before Christmas, but it’s all come down to money, but we’ll get there.”
Mr Bertuch thanked the community, citizens auxiliary and women’s auxiliary for their support on market days, garage sales and sausage sizzles that have gone to raise funds for hall restoration.
The sub branch is also gearing up for Remembrance Day on November 11, with a small service at the Norman Park cenotaph at 10.45am and a gathering after the service at the RSL hall sponsored by women’s auxiliary.
