River McCrossen
06 February 2025, 2:40 AM
Condobolin's RSL sub-branch is at risk of closing as the local charity struggles to boost its aging membership.
The local RSL club will host a meeting from around midday on Saturday, where it's hoped former service people and their supporters will put their hand up to form a new committee.
Condobolin RSL Club manager James Bennett said the current committee has been in a holding pattern over "the last few years."
"Everyone's getting a little bit older," Mr Bennett said.
"Because they've been inactive, the head office is looking to close them.
"The head office is having a meeting on 25 February, and I have to give a due cause as to why the sub-branch should not be closed.
"It's just been part of the community for such a long time, so that's why I'm fighting to keep it open."
Mr Bennett said the branch currently has three members and that executive roles have to be filled by ex-services personnel.
Condobolin RSL Club. IMAGE: Wikimedia Commons
If a committee does form on Saturday, he said they will discuss potential projects they want to take up with available funds, including restoring headstones in the old Condobolin Sacred Park cemetery.
The RSL club is it's own entity and would continue to operate as normal if the sub-branch closes.
Mr Bennett said the club already had a heavy role in organising ANZAC Day services last year and would take on full responsibility.
He also expects memorabilia like rifles and swords would remain at the club, although sub-branch funds would be absorbed by NSW RSL.
Seventy-three-year-old Condobolin resident James 'Bluey' Stewart was a national service call-up and reservist in the 1970s and 1980s, and has been an RSL member for over 40 years.
When he first joined, there was no shortage of people to man the sub-branch.
Now, Mr Steward says he can probably count the town's former services personnel on one hand.
"I encourage all ex-servicemen to get involved, but where are they?" he said.
"People today just don't want to get involved in committees. They just want everything given to them.
"There might be three young fellas in town under 50, but they're not interested."