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Trading Hours:
Mondays to Thursdays:
9am to Midnight
Fridays & Saturdays:
9am to 3.00am
Sundays:
8.30am to Midnight
Location:
96 Shaftesbury Road
Burwood NSW 2134
Phone: (02) 9744 7444
Fax: (02) 9747 6204
Information: |
| info@burwoodrsl.com.au |
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Club
History
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HOW
IT BEGAN……
The Burwood Sub -Branch of the Returned Services League was
formed in 1918 when several returned Diggers realised to obtain
full benefits for Returned Men, they needed to be united as
one and as a result a formal structure was established and the
RSL Sub - Branch was chartered on the 19th June 1919.
The first venue used for meetings was the premises known as
St. George's Hall in George Street, Burwood. A short time later,
meetings were transferred to meeting rooms adjacent to Heals
Saddlery in Railway Parade. During 1921 permanent rooms were
available at 23 Belmore Street, Burwood.
All matter of means and methods to draw the attention of the
citizens of Burwood to the functions of the League were initiated,
including rallies in Burwood Road and Burwood Park, also street
sales, raffles, etc.
Burwood Council were requested to provide either a memorial
arch or memorial club rooms. The Council, as a result of a public
meeting, sought public subscription to implement these schemes,
and then held a vote to determine whether it should be an arch
or club rooms. A majority voted in favour for the arch and in
1923 it was finally unveiled in Burwood Park.
The Sub - Branch built its financial status to a healthy level
by 1939 and with the advent of World War II, all surplus monies
were invested in war bonds to the extent of 8,000 pounds. The
Sub - Branch supported both the Burwood Municipal Council and
the Federal Government in many practical ways during the War
years, and also made available its Club premises as a Head Quarters
of the National Emergency Service.
Following the return of our men from overseas in 1946, the membership
of the Sub - Branch increased to over 2,000.
With the younger generation seeking an interest in the functioning
of activities of the League, various communities were formed
to control the increased amenities of the Sub - Branch, and
by 1948, Billiards, Snooker, Cricket & Football were being played.
By 1949 it was quite obvious that larger premises were needed
to accommodate the needs of the members. In October 1949 the
Sub - Branch purchased a 2-storey home at 96 Shaftesbury Road,
Burwood, the present site of the Club. A photo of the original
2-storey home is adjacent. By September 1950 all formalities
had been completed and the Burwood Sub - Branch commenced utilising
the premises.
BURWOOD RSL CLUB LTD - THE HISTORY
The Burwood RSL Sub - Branch Club commenced operations on the
18th September 1950 at 96 Shaftesbury Road, Burwood. The functioning
of the RSL in Burwood was now being carried out by two (2) distinct
organisations, the Burwood RSL Sub - Branch who were responsible
for carrying out the policy of the League of the RSL, and the
Club who were responsible for the social activities of the League
members.
By 1951 membership of the club had increased to 150 and the
Committee had determined to carry out extensive alterations
to the premises to enhance the new club, and a decision was
also taken to construct a bowling green and to establish the
Burwood Diggers' Bowling Club.
In September 1958, a large extension to the Club comprising
of a spacious auditorium was opened. At the time this was one
of the largest Club auditoriums in Sydney and featured the most
prominent entertainment available. A photo of this extension
is adjacent.
On the 28th day of January 1972 the Burwood RSL Sub - Branch
Club being unincorporated was incorporated as Burwood RSL Club
Limited. A new Memorandum of Association was adopted and still
applies today.
Following many years of negotiation, the Burwood RSL Club Limited
purchased the club premises at 96 Shaftesbury Road from the
Burwood RSL Sub - Branch on the 10th August 1993 for $4million.
This was truly a momentous occasion for both organisations as
it provided long term financial security for the Sub - Branch
and the Club Limited became the owner occupier of the premises
and thus had security and equity in the site, and could further
invest in its own premises to further enhance the facilities
for the expanding membership of the Club.
By 1992 the Club had approximately 6,000 members and due to
the very strong demand for social, function and sporting facilities,
the premises were too small to meet the peak demands.
In April 1995 a major reconstruction and expansion of the Club
was commenced. The Club was approximately tripled in size to
provide spacious and opulent facilities for members and the
community of Burwood generally. Refer to the Facilities Guide
for a listing of the Club facilities. The project cost of this
expansion programme was in the order of $19million. Refer to
adjacent photos for a photo of the Club façade, when it was
opened in November 1996.
The spectacular growth of the Club has continued with a present
membership of approximately 30,000 members. |
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