FACILITIES & INFORMATION:
Kingston Beach RSL Club Membership is open for the General Public as well as those who gave Military Service to our country and their relatives. Situated at 39 Beach Road Kingston Beach we offer quiet, cosy clubrooms with a friendly atmosphere where members can enjoy a congenial drink or three. (Cost per year is $40.00). Functions: The club is available free of charge to Members and for a very small bond to non-members, this makes it a very economical way to run your function. We have successfully hosted many Anniversaries, Birthday parties, Christmas parties and many more Functions. Catering can be arranged, or as in most cases Members have opted for “self-catering”. This involves free use of small kitchen, BBQ area, bain-marie etc. The main bar extends to an outside deck area which is ideal for the summer months. Other facilities/activities include TAB betting, 8-ball table, dart board, AFL Footy tipping competitions, Thursday night raffles. For further information about our operation please contact the Club on 6229 4800
HISTORY:
The Kingston Beach RSL Club was formed following the unfortunate demise of the Kingston RSL and Sub Branch in 2002 who were operating out of Redwood Village. The KBRSL Club was incorporated in October 2002 after discussions with the RSL State Branch whereby structural changes were debated and agreed upon. The main change being the way the RSL was to be structured in relation to Sub Branch and other operations. It was determined that the Club was to be responsible for the Business arm of the RSL in the Kingston area, including provision of a suitable venue in which the Sub Branch could operate and look after all the important business of the RSL in the area. This could occur without having the burden of the day to day business and finance operations. The roles of the Sub Branch include looking after ANZAC & Remembrance Day and all other Commemorative operations of the RSL, including Welfare matters, Women’s Auxiliary support and Funeral services (when requested). It was the first model in the State whereby associated bodies would sit “under the umbrella” of the Business arm and Club. These bodies include Sub Branch, Women’s Auxiliary as well as other Social operations/clubs such as Social Golf Club, 8-Ball Club, Darts (and so on). It was a model that some said would not work but the inaugural board was strong on the premise that if the RSL ideals were to continue in the long-term, it would be up to relatives of those who gave Military Service and at least to have an opportunity to “take over the reins” and ensure the memories of those who served and those who gave the supreme sacrifice for our country would continue indefinitely. Although there have been a few minor ups & downs the concept has and is working extremely well. The inaugural board of management was formed in conjunction with State Branch and had a strong representation of business people from the area and consisted of: President Dennis Fuller, Vice President Graham Hills, Treasurer Rob Barden, Secretary Lindsay Whiteway and Board Members John Clennett, Chris Hazell, Russell Haas and Graeme Mackey. The KBRSL Sub Branch was formed and incorporated as a separate entity four months after the KBRSL Club in February 2003. The Club is most proud of the strong bond and working relationship which have existed over the past 12 years. The Club was “kick-started” by 26 Foundation Members @ $500.00 each and is proud of the fact that it has never been in the red since incorporation. These Founding Members are acknowledged on a plaque in the clubrooms as well as Annual Reports. The new Club operated out of Redwood Village in the early months and took an opportunity to move to the Welcome Inn Motel early 2003. This was run as a commercial operation with full Hotel facilities including accommodation etc. Due to changes in government policy (who owned the facility), we needed to vacate the Welcome Inn in December 2004 moving to a new home at 39 Beach Road Kingston Beach. Prior to this we had to convert 39 Beach Road from a house environment to the venue we operate from today. This was done in the main by volunteer club members who carried out around $75K worth of works at a minimal cost of $40K. We started operating from our new home at 39 Beach Road Kingston Beach on December 21, 2004 with the official opening by the Mayor of Kingborough, Donald Hazell MBE on Wednesday December 22. Over the past 15 years the club has continually contributed to the building fund in preparation for securing a long-term home of its own in the area.
