RSL

Sir Roden Cutler opening the Gulgong RSL Club, 7 March 1970. A Vice Regal Ball was held in the evening.

 

Source: Libby Sills

Paul Khoury with Sir Roden Cutler
Debutante ball on the evening of the RSL Opening.

Source: Laudy Russo

Notes made by Keith Murray

RSL HISTORY by KEITH MURRAY

Original meetings were held in Gulgong Town Hall.

The sub branch was formed shortly after the 1st World War, and had its 21st anniversary just before the second war started.

At a meeting on 4 May 1945, at which Herb Cross, Geo Jackson and K Murray were present, it was resolved to form a Women’s Auxiliary.

Balance of a Building fund was £28 plus Bonds in the bank, this money was raised by a Building Committee; a design of the proposed Club was discussed and it was decided to get suggestions from the League head quarters Panel of Architects for plans.

These plans were obtained gratis.

1947 Building fund £5144.16.10 plus Government Bonds

5 September 1947 First meeting held in Odd Fellows Hall

16 September 1947 Moved that the RSL sub branch for an RSL Club.

Sub Branch Coronation Park for this purpose.

1948 Moved that the sub branch apply for a liquor licence as per plan as above

2 February 1949 Sub branch offered Show Society £10 for rights to run a boxing tent.

It was decided about this time that sub branch would not build on Coronation Park block which was eventually sold to Council for £200 and the premises were used for some time until it was decided to buy a block of land in Herbert St from Geo Jackson and build a club on it.

About this time sub branch records and relics of the first war and Boer war which were kept in the room above the Commercial Bank disappeared.

Meetings continued at Tuxford’s until the first club was built, then we sold Tuxford’s and held our meetings at the new club.

Further records were lost about this time when a Secretary’s young family got amongst them. We have little history of our part and nothing very tangible to show for over 60 years of existence.

Source: Libby Sills

1979 - Double Honour - Gulgong RSL

Two members of the Gulgong Sub Branch of the RSL of Australia were made life members, received life membership badges and presented with certificates of merit for services to the RSL at a dinner at Gulgong on Wednesday last week.

The Life Members are Mr Keith Murray and Mr Jim McCowan of Gulgong., who together had given a total of 74 years of service to RSL Australia.

The presentations were made at a function held in the Gulgong RSL Club.

The presentation was made by Vern Traeger, District Councillor of the Western District of the RSL.

He was supported by S. K. Saul, vice president of the Northern District region of the RSL. Mr Saul was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Betty Saul.

Mrs Nella Murray and Mrs Norma McCowan were also presented with letters of appreciation from RSL League Headquarters expressing appreciation of the help given to their husbands during the year of service to the League.

The dinner was attended by 100 sub-branch members and guests. Many came from Mudgee, Dubbo, Gulgong and surrounding districts.

Mr P L Crossley, President of the Gulgong Sub Branch was the chairman at the dinner.

Mr Crossley said Gulgong was doubly honoured in having two of its members receive the highest honour awarded by the RSL League.

Mr Murray said he first joined the RSL about 1944 and had been associated with “a hard crew”.

Some of them he named: Dr R Alport (president), Dr L Tunley (vice-president). He mentioned active at the time Major Tunley, Don Burns, Jack Middlemiss, Tom Perram, Artie Adams, Clive Smith, A H Fortescue, E C Trouton, R Gurney, and Bill Smith and admitted he had omitted a number in the list.

Mr Murray said he was appointed to look after Repatriation and he said he “Was too scared no to do the job properly”.

Mr Murray had been the pensions office-bearer of the RSL for more than 35 years.

Mr McCowan said he had come to Gulgong about 1952 and shortly afterwards had been appointed President and had continuous service since that date.

Members of Mr Murray’s family, daughters Jennifer (with husband Ken Miller) and Libby (with husband Bill Sills). Also Mrs Murray’s sister, Mrs Gem Croft and husband Jim were present.

Mr Murray’s son, Sam, from Brisbane, was unable to be present.

Members of Mr and Mrs J McCowan’s family were unable to attend. Mrs Ethel McEwen of Gulgong catered for the dinner.

Source: Mudgee Guardian, Tuesday 27 February 1979 (clipping kept by Libby Sills)