DROMANA Red Hill RSL faces oblivion after RSL state headquarters demanded the sub-branch come up with $200,000 by March 23 to repay debts or close down.
The sub-branch is the latest Mornington Peninsula RSL to face forced closure, with Sorrento-Portsea closing in November 2007 with debts of about $150,000, but being rescued in early 2008, and Mornington being saved the same year.
Dromana is holding a public meeting on Monday at 6pm to mount a rescue campaign. Dromana RSL secretary Pam Rowler said it was hoped residents of Dromana and the wider peninsula community would ‘‘pledge, donate or loan money’’ to save the club.
On Wednesday, the club started its rescue campaign by sending a press release to local media, MPs Martin Dixon and Greg Hunt and Mornington Peninsula Shire.
On Thursday morning a caller to 3AW’s ‘Rumour File’ sparked metropolitan media interest with ABC radio picking up the baton and a Network Ten camera crew hot-footing it down to Dromana and the Herald Sun interviewing club officials.
Dromana RSL has been serving the returned services community since 1931 and moved to new premises in Noel Street, Dromana, in 1963.
It extended the members’ bar and gaming room in 2008.
Pam Rowler said the sub-branch knew it was in financial trouble late last year and held a meeting with Victorian RSL officials at Anzac House just before Christmas.
Ms Rowler said Brian Cairns, the state RSL’s chief operations officer, told Dromana it should consider merging with Rosebud.
Rosebud considered the proposal but rejected it earlier this week. Dromana was informed on Tuesday morning.
Ms Rowler said factors leading to the growing debt included high costs associated with running the gaming room and extensions made to the members’ bar and gaming room in 2008.
‘‘We are not permitted to use volunteer labour because of our 20 poker machines,’’ she said.
To cut costs the club has reduced opening hours and cut some meals from the weekly schedule. It no longer serves meals on Sundays or Mondays as well as Tuesday lunch.
Closure of the club would be a blow to the southern peninsula. Many community groups use the RSL including Peninsula Health’s Agestrong exercise program for seniors and Dromana Football Club, which announces its teams there every Thursday night during the season.
Dromana RSL also runs a praised scholarship program for primary and secondary school students. Its members last financial year volunteered 3400 hours for home and hospital visits, respite care and transport for senior citizens.
Sub-branch president Lindsay Edgerton stated: ‘‘Discussions with Rosebud RSL ... on a proposed amalgamation had broken down despite the best efforts of both committees.’’
He stated the sub-branch was established to recognise the war sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of Dromana and ‘‘we must again look to our community for its support’’.
An updated version of this story will be published in The Mail next Wednesday following the public meeting on Monday night.
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