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.
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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.
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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.
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"Because they've been inactive, the head office is looking to close them.
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"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.
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"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.
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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.
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The RSL club is it's own entity and would continue to operate as normal if the sub-branch closes.
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Mr Bennett said the club already had a heavy role in organising ANZAC Day services last year and would take on full responsibility.
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He also expects memorabilia like rifles and swords would remain at the club, although sub-branch funds would be absorbed by NSW RSL.
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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.
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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.
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"I encourage all ex-servicemen to get involved, but where are they?" he said.
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"People today just don't want to get involved in committees. They just want everything given to them.
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"There might be three young fellas in town under 50, but they're not interested."