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General News

24 August, 2020

Atherton RSL opening announced.

After two years of waiting the Atherton RSL Club is finally ready to open its doors, but a sense of mystery is still shrouding the beleaguered club.

By Phil Brandel

Atherton RSL opening announced. - feature photo

After two years of waiting the Atherton RSL Club is finally ready to open its doors, but a sense of mystery is still shrouding the beleaguered club.

The RSL announced on its Facebook page that they would finally be able to throw open the doors to the public on Monday, September 7 along with its new restaurant.

When approached for more details or comments about the staff, the opening and the restaurant current President of the club Seamus (Sean) Carroll told the Express “We can’t allow any photos inside until we are open and I am not going to make any comment until I have spoken to the board.”

The original Atherton RSL Club in Main Street closed in July 2008 due to financial hardship; the premises were then sold in August 2009.

Construction on the new building started in 2018 and was meant to be finished by ANZAC Day 2019.

The club remained closed in early 2020 due to NBN problems and then COVID closures, which meant the club couldn’t open for ANZAC day 2020.

According to RSLQLD’s webpage, “After three years of submitting applications, the Sub Branch was finally successful in obtaining a grant from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund.”

“The grant was provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis to match what the Sub Branch has saved, along with some revenue received from the sale of the old RSL building by RSL Queensland in 2008.”

Back in January of this year, The Express reported that the club was having trouble opening in time for Anzac Day due to internal troubles and at the time we were told “no comment” or “we can’t answer that sorry.”

The new club opens on Monday, September 7 and will have a small bistro an outdoor children’s play area, an undercover area for eating as well as an office for the sub-branch.

The Express made several approaches for an official comment.

 

 

 

 

 

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