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Part 1: Getting started (1916-1919).

Part 2: The battle for the badge.

Part 3: Less is more (1921)

The Gaythorne RSL offers a warm welcome to veterans and their families from all over Brisbane and South East Queensland. The Gaythorne Sub Branch is part of the Brisbane North District of RSL Queensland.

Gaythorne is located 7 kms north-west of Brisbane City, settled on the slopes of Enoggera Hill. Many of the streets are named after World War 1 sites.  

The suburb adjoins one of the largest military barracks in Australia, the Gallipoli Barracks. Because of its rich history and collection of post war memorabilia, Gaythorne RSL holds one of the biggest Anzac Day services in Brisbane. 

Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch is part of the Brisbane North District and is located on the premises of Gaythorne RSL. 

From our earliest years, we’ve been providing assistance, welfare and social connection to local ex-service and current service men, women and their families.  

A wellbeing hub, where the community can meet, socialise and be entertained. 

Information

Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch Inc is open from 8:30am – 1:30pm, Monday to Friday 

Gaythorne RSL have a restaurant and other facilities operating 7 days per week.

Services offered

The Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch Inc is established for the principal purpose of promoting the interests and welfare of former and current serving members of the ADF and their dependants. 

Veterans requiring assistance with DVA claims are encouraged to contact our Welfare Administrator before lodging paperwork on 07 3355 4655 (option 1)

Our Welfare Administrator organises ANZAC Day and other significant veteran events. Our dedicated team of volunteers assist with our badge and poppy sales and fundraising through the year.

We have several trained Veteran Advocates and a Welfare team operating at the Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch and offer the following services:

• Advocacy – DVA Claims Processing

• Welfare Support Services

• Padre Services

• Poppy Funeral Service

• Badge Sales

• Commemorative Services

• Social Connection through our Social Clubs 

Social clubs

Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch have several Social Clubs that members are a welcome to join at any time. The Social Clubs available to members are: 

Cards - 500
Wednesday 1pm – 4:00pm 
Venue – Gaythorne RSL – Room DF4 
Cost - $10.00 

Cards - Euchre
Thursday 7pm – 10:00pm 
Venue – Gaythorne RSL – Room DF4 
Cost - $10.00 
For enquiries – John Underhill – 0409 066 098  

Indoor Bowls
Tuesday 10:00am – 1:00pm 
Venue – Gaythorne RSL – Room DF3 
Cost - $5:00 per year and $5:00 per week  
For enquiries – Jill Ashdown – 0412 651 826 

Mitchie Day Club
Wednesday 10:00am – 12:30pm 
Venue – 7th Day Adventist Church, Mitchelton 
Cost - $15 and includes activities, morning tea and lunch 
For enquiries – Bev Bell 0423 176 504 or Lesley Morrison 0417 605 310  

Golf Club
Meets twice per month 
For enquiries – Tim Asher 0414 552 667 

War Widows
Brisbane West (Gaythorne) 
For enquiries – Narelle Stanton 0418 731 686 

History

Norm Cox, an original member of the Mitchelton Sub Branch, and a foundation member of Gaythorne RSL, sat down with one of our team to recall some of the history of Gaythorne RSL Inc. 

The Mitchelton RSL was formed in 1947 to a group of World War II diggers who were looking for the opportunity to get together and share camaraderie together on Sundays. In those days it was a long trip from Alderley to the Samford Pub, so a local watering hole was needed. For some years they met most Sundays at the Mitchelton Hall, behind where the Gaythorne RSL now stands. In 1952 the group had grown and wanted to establish a more permanent association, build a club house, and secure a liquor licence. 

Enoggera RSL had a similar history and met regularly at the Enoggera School of Arts in Wardell Street. 

In 1953 the two groups met at the Mitchelton Hall to iron out the combining of the two groups into one club, this would therefore give them enough clout to convince the Liquor Licencing Board into giving them a licence. 

There was a heated debate on what to call the newly formed club. Norm Cox raised his hand and suggested ‘Why not meet half way and call it the Gaythorne RSL? After all its half way between Enoggera and Mitchelton.’ The motion was put forward and quickly seconded by Allan Bailey and the vote was carried. The new club was officially called the Gaythorne RSL Club. 

Become a member

 

Townsville RSL Sub Branch offers a warm welcome to all veterans and their families. The Townsville RSL Sub Branch is part of the North Queensland District of RSL Queensland.

 

Contact Info:

Website: www.townsvillersl.com.au

Facebook Page: Townsville RSL Sub Branch

Open Hours: 10.00am to late 7 days a week

 

History:

The founding Charter of the "The Returned Soldiers & Sailors Imperial League of Australia", Townsville Sub-Branch is dated 1st September 1919, less than 12 months after WW1.

The foundation President was Mr Bert McKimmin. The meetings were held on the veranda of the then Town Hall in Flinders Street. The Soldiers met regularly on the veranda for three years until they moved into a clubhouse in the T & G Building.

In the 1930's the club moved to its own Memorial Hall in Stuart Street. (Figure 1)

Under the leadership of past Patron, Jim Carey, land was purchased on Charters Towers Road, and in 1966 a new headquarters and club was constructed and opened on 9th December 1966. (Figure 2)

 

The club is still located on Charters Towers Road, but over the years, has gone through many renovations an additions.

 

Information:

The Townsville RSL Sub-Branch is established for the principal purpose of promoting the interests and welfare of former and serving members of the ADF and their dependants by:

• Assisting and caring for the sick, elderly and needy

• Preserving the memory and records of those who served, suffered and died for the Commonwealth of Australia

• Encouraging the members of the League and citizens to serve the Nation with a spirit of self-sacrifice and loyalty

• Nurturing of the youth of Australia to ensure that the strength, vitality and security of our Nation is preserved and enhanced.

• Home and Hospital Visits

• Padre Services - Poppy Services

• Family bereavement assistance

• RV Arvo each month

• RSL Adventures each month

• Discounted price on food and drink

• Voting rights

• Eligibility to hold a board position

• Townsville RSL Bursaries for Year 10 Students (available to Children and Grandchildren of Service Members)

• Library with qualified Librarian

• Access to Crystal Creek Respite / Fishing Hut

 

Pension & Welfare Advocacy:

In addition, we assist the veteran community of Townsville by the provision of pension and welfare advocacy for compensation and benefits; medical treatment and other forms of welfare.

 

 

Our Welfare Office (Quinn's Post) is located at 135 Charters Towers Road. The location is a shop front, just down from the RSL Building, has a bus stop right at the door, parking is available at the rear of the building and there is wheelchair access.

The house of operation for Quinn's Post are Monday - Friday, 8.00am - 4.00pm.

P: 4772 5936 - E: tsvrslwelfare@bigpond.com

At Quinn's Post we are able to help with information and assistance on any of the following:

• Service-related medical conditions

• Reassessment of accepted conditions

• Lodgment of appears to the Veterans' Review Board and/or Administrative Appeals Tribunal

• War Widow/Widower benefits

 

Annual General Meeting:

The Townsville RSL Sub Branch AGM is held on the second Sunday of March each year.

 

Board meetings:

Townsville RSL Sub Branch Board Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month

 

Commemoration days:

• Fall of Singapore

• ANZAC Day

• Remembrance Day

 

Townsville RSL women's auxiliary

The Townsville RSL Women's Auxiliary has played an important role in assisting our veterans and their families in their time of need, and support Townsville RSL Sub Branch in the following ways:

• Provide support to the Townsville RSL Sub Branch & Members

• Provide support to all serving and ex-serving members and their families

• Visits serving and ex-serving members and their families in hospital and nursing homes

• Fundraise for the needy within our community

• ANZAC Day & Remembrance Day badge sales

• Promotion of commemorative events

Membership of Townsville RSL Women's Auxiliary is open to all females, serving and ex-service members of a Commonwealth or Allied Military Force: Female relatives of serving and ex-service members; and any adult female approved by the Auxiliary.

 

Wellbeing and community engagement are the top priorities of Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL Sub Branch.

Many RSL Sub Branches across Queensland honour remembrance year-round through war graves and memorial restoration projects.

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