70 Years on Gerrale Street

Cronulla RSL celebrates it’s 70th year on Gerrale Street

The Cronulla Sub Branch of the Returned Sailor’s Soldier’s Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia (RSSAILA) leased their first club rooms at the Cecil Hotel, now the site of the Cecil Apartments, back in November 1942. Just over three years later the Sub Branch purchased what was known as the “Whitelaw” land in Gerrale Street and the first club building was officially opened by the Governor of NSW on May 16, 1953.

Since the official opening on May 16, 1953, the Club is proud to have serviced the Cronulla and wider Sutherland Shire community.

Chief Executive Officer, Sue McNeill said, to celebrate the 70-year milestone, the Club would be offering all members a special offer everyday starting on June 1 and running for 70 days, ending on August 31. Find out more here.

The Club also celebrated at the Annual General Meeting held at the Club on Tuesday May 16.

“We are proud of our Club’s years of service to the community and will continue to honour our heritage and the role we play in the community,”Ms McNeill said.

“Since 1953, when the Club was registered with its current name and address, membership has grown to over 30,000 and the site has been redeveloped to continue to offer our members a place where they can relax, dine and connect with friends by the beach.”

Ms McNeill said “in the last 12 months, the Club has provided support totalling more than $180k in Club Grants and Club initiatives within the community. By working with over 30 local sporting clubs, volunteer groups & charitable organisations, the Club has been able to give back & help grow the community of Cronulla’.

“This area (the community) is of great priority to us and will continue to be a focus going forward’ said McNeill.

Cronulla RSL have been recognised for outstanding social contributions, by being announced as a finalist in two categories for the 2023 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards.

In the ‘Arts & Culture’ category, The Club’s sponsorship of the Cronulla Walk the Walls Festival, and the transformation of the club’s car park wall in an effort to beautify urban space, reduce crime and support artists has been recognised.

At the awards night Thursday 18 May, Cronulla RSL won the Heart of the Community (Club Award) which recognises the Club’s fundraising efforts to support the Australian War Animal Memoiral Organsiation (AWAMO) and the Sutherland Shire’s local Veteran War Dog, Manic.

Cronulla RSL was recognised as the first RSL club in NSW to establish an AWAMO supported memorial plaque for war animals and the first club in Australia, to provide a retired war veteran dog club membership.

Cronulla RSL have plans to renovate Level 3 with a new and exciting catering offering and the renovation of the new Deck will be completed in July 2023.