Cronulla RSL has unveiled a memorial garden and plaque dedicated to animals who have served during times of war & peace, the first of its kind in New South Wales at an RSL Club.

A steering committee met on the 12th June 1957. This meeting led to the formation of the Cronulla RSL Youth Club, that served well over 1,000 members spread across 4 activities - Hockey, Netball, Softball & Soccer.

After rapid early growth, it was not long after that other activities started playing in the Blue & Gold of Cronulla RSL; Rugby League, Cricket, Physical Culture, Basketball, Karate to name a few!

Nestled in the back streets of Cronulla, you will find the Cronulla Community Café (New Beginnings Uniting Church). The Cronulla Community Café has been serving the people in need in our community for 16 years.

Every Wednesday, they provide a no-cost food service…plus opportunity to have a chat and grab a few essentials.

The café also has a boutique! This is a perfectly curated collection of second hand items, from books to house hold gadgets that guests can access - free of charge!

Volunteer Sue says ‘They love coming. It is an opportunity for them to browse. We go to David Jones and they don’t do that sort of thing, because they don’t have that price range.’.

The service is provided by a wonderful team of volunteers, who give their time and effort every week; they set the room, prepare lunch, serve meals and offer invaluable time to the guests.

The café receives donations from the community (such as personal items, clothing and book) and local businesses. Bakers Delight Cronulla and Lilli Pilli Patisserie provide bread and baked items for the guests to enjoy week in-week out.

Groceries are a major necessity for the café attendees. Unfortunately of late, limited storage has meant that the café hasn’t been able to offer this part of their regular service. Their storage room is in desperate need of renovation. Volunteers are currently raising funds to have this completed. Once the storeroom is finished, they can resume offering their guests pantry items and fresh fruit & vegetables.

If you are keen to support the Cronulla Community Café, key donations required are new/unopened personal items (toiletries) and new/unopened mens & womens underwear.

For more information on the café or to offer support, visit their website https://nbu.org.au/cronulla-community...

Cronullla RSL proudly supports The Cronulla Community Café.

Make a donation at any of our bars today!

NOTE - We were able to have their oven repaired so they could continue their fantastic contribution to our community!

Congratulations to Life Member & Vietnam Veteran Kerry Cattell, who has been bestowed with an 'Honorary Fellowship Of Clubs NSW' Certificate

The Honorary Fellowship Certificate recognises club directors who have served on the Board of a club for ten years or more. Kerry was on the Cronulla RSL Board of Directors for 11 years, where he served with distinction, particularly in the avenues of Finance and Development Control.

Congratulations Kerry and thank you for your service!

Dog enthusiasts from across the Sutherland Shire gathered on our deck in June, to enjoy a bark-alicious morning with their four-legged pals.

With their pooch in tow, guests enjoyed bottomless bubbles, high tea, goodie bags, prizes, giveaways and many insta moments.

Thanks to Aroma Furapy, Baker and Pooch, Puppi Lovers, Lazy Lab & Indi Pups for sponsoring the event!

Check out the pup-tastic photos from the day.

The War Widows gathered in the Gerrale room for the first time in a long time this week (due to Covid Restrictions). It was also the first time they could celebrate the birthdays of their members who had turned 90 in 2020, 2021 & 2022 (so far)!

Happy (belated) Birthday to Ruth Kennedy, Shirley Christie, Betty Jennings, Kath Macklin, Joan Staples & Marie Watson. Here are some of the birthday ladies, pictured with President Norma Arden.

About the Cronulla Sutherland District War Widows’ Guild Club

AWWNSW has a network of Guild and Social Clubs throughout Sydney and New South Wales, providing a place for members to meet and join with other war widows and members who have been through similar experiences.

In line with COVID-19 guidelines, many of the clubs have social events such as bus trips and luncheons as well as their meetings. Guest speakers are invited to attend meetings to speak on topics of interest to members. The Club Coordinators provide regular updates from AWWNSW, keeping members up-to-date on AWWNSW information as well as the various benefits available to them through agencies, such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

https://warwidowsnsw.com.au/services/guild-and-social-clubs/

Cronulla RSL fundraising activities on ANZAC Day 2021 & 2022, have raised over $15,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & Veteran Service Animals.

AWAMO is a volunteer not-for-profit group, with the aim to recognise the deeds of animals during Australian military service and to educate generations to follow of the sacrifices made by four legged diggers. They have they donated over 30 plaques honouring the deeds and sacrifices of animals during all wars at various RSLs, Parks and Military establishments and have numerous initiatives in place to support animals who have given military service or are impacted by war.

One initiative is their ANZAC Veteran Service Dog Assistance Project. A program in place to financially help retired Military working dogs from the Australian Defence Force. At the end of their service, the ADF’s duty of care ends. AWAMO raise funds to assist the dog’s handlers with purchasing medication, payment of veterinary bills, and the supply of dog items that aid comfort (such as bed, coat and toys). When the time comes, they also assist with the costs of cremation and honouring the dogs with a burial head stone. They have negotiated great arrangements with Master Pets & PetLife to provide a range of dietary foods for the animals to enjoy during their retirement.

One member of this project is a working dog named “Manic”, who served in Iraq and on Tactical Assault Group East (TAGE). Manic retired in 2020 and now lives in the Sutherland Shire.

Cronulla RSL’s CEO Sue McNeill says ‘We were approached by Manic’s handler in 2021, to get permission for Manic to visit the club after the ANZAC Day Dawn Service. We approved without hesitation; service dogs are diggers too!’.

The Club was so welcoming, that Manic was announced as the first honorary four-legged member and was issued his own membership card.

‘We were so touched by Manic’s story and saddened to hear of the limited support war dogs and their handlers receive after their service, that we were inspired to help do what we could to make a difference’ said McNeill. ‘We hope that our efforts encourage other clubs to support their local service dog, and get behind the AWAMO’.

Cronulla RSL will continue to work with AWAMO CEO Nigel Allsopp, to support the cause. Nigel and his team are currently busy preparing a container load of food and medication supplies to be shipped to Poland, to support animals in the Ukraine who are being displaced as their owners flee the conflict zone.

 For more information on AWAMO, visit their website http://awamo.org.au/

Congratulations to Gordon Williams, who recently was awarded Life Membership of Cronulla RSL Memorial Club.

Gordon is an outgoing Director of 20 years and has been an active Board Member in all aspects of the Club, serving on several committees and being a representative at many community and Club events.

In particular, Gordon has played an pivotal role in Club Grants and in the donations sector for many years, in particular local school scholarship programs.

Cronulla RSL ‘Clash of the Chords’, a voters choice competition featuring live music acts from around the Sutherland Shire, has given the local music industry a boost.

In celebration of International Guitar Month, 17 local music acts had the opportunity to gain experience performing in a club setting. The Cronulla RSL Memorial Club is a local institution and shire landmark, whose current membership numbers exceeds 30,000.

Supported by local businesses (The Brass Monkey, Menai Music, Engadine Music & DI Music), the 4 week competition saw bands, soloists and duos from all around the Sutherland Shire compete to take home a $2000 cash, a recording session and a headlining spot at a renowned live music venue in Cronulla.

Presented in the Cronulla RSL Sunroom, each act was given a twenty minute time slot to perform an act of their choice. QR codes were placed throughout the venue, which club patrons could use to cast their vote for their favourite act of the night. The most popular band of each heat progressed through to the final round, as well as winning other great prizes (including cash, a half hour coaching session from singer-songwriter and owner of Menai Music, Craig Woodward).  Unsuccessful competitors were given a second chance to compete in the final round, through a consolation wildcard online vote. Close to 4,000 votes were cast during the competition.

Cronulla RSL Tailored events manager Michael Astill, says that this concept was a ‘great way to is to expand the clubs entertainment portfolio, and give local performers a platform to perform’.

Competing acts included:

Heat 1

• Fine Lookin' Fella's - 60's 70s 80s Ukulele Band

• Cain back  - Pop

• The Dead Posies  - Hard Rock/Punk/Grunge

• Dolor - Rock Band (Finalist)

Heat 2

• Georgia & Hayden - Acoustic (Finalist)

• Lethal - Rock n Roll

• The Mango Brothers - Classic Pop/Rock

Heat 3

• Brits & Pieces - 90s Brit Pop Cover band (Wildcard)

• Ryan and Jade - Pop, Folk and Country (Finalist & Winner)

• Sunburst - Melodic Rock

• Richard McGloin - Covers/Tribute

• Emerson Bailey - Pop

Heat 4

• Sonic77 - Pop

• Stereodayz  - Rock

• Stitched Up  - Rock (Finalist)

• Jayden Clarke - Pop

• Muzic Room - Rock

Local duo Ryan & Jade were selected by the guest judges as the winners of the final round, on April 29th.

Ryan is an experienced musician, who has played with Kirrawee High School's Jazz & Wind Orchestras. Jade is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, with lead role experience in musical theatre and drama productions.

In addition to receiving the inaugural ‘Clash of the Chords’ trophy and a cash prize (donated by Cronulla RSL), Ryan and Jade now get to record a song of their liking with Craig Woodward at Menai Music. Dates on their headlining spot at the Cronulla RSL & The Brass Monkey Cronulla to be soon.

Clash of the Chords is set to return to the stage later this year.

In addition to supporting the welfare of veterans of Australian (& their families) and commemorating the efforts of all who have served our nation in uniform, Cronulla RSL proudly supports community programs. They aim provide valuable and meaningful support to our members and the people of the local area.

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Cronulla RSL https://cronullarsl.com.au

Brass Monkey https://www.brassmonkey.com.au

DI Music https://au.linkedin.com/company/di-music

Engadine Music https://engadinemusic.com.au

Menai Music https://www.menaimusic.com.au

Cronulla RSL will be hosting the final of Clash of the Chords, a voters choice competition featuring live music acts from around the Sutherland Shire.

5 local acts will be battling it out once to walk away with $2000 cash, a recording session with Craig Woodward and a headlining spot at The Brass Monkey Cronulla.

Heat 1 - Dolor Music

Heat 2 - Georgia & Hayden

Heat 3 - Ryan & Jade

Heat 4 - Stiched Up

Peoples Choice - Brits & Pieces

Huge thanks to the following for their support of Clash Of The Cords:

Brass Monkey https://www.brassmonkey.com.au/

DI Music https://au.linkedin.com/company/di-music

Engadine Music https://engadinemusic.com.au/

Menai Music https://www.menaimusic.com.au/

Since November, over 130 local participants (boys and girls between 14 and 18) and their families, have been taking part in the 2022 Cronulla RSL Southern Districts Accelerated Development Program.

This junior development program is designed to help players prepare for their first year in colts or women’s and onward through grade and higher representative honors, and is proudly supported by Cronulla RSL.

On the 24th December, in the since demolished Cronulla RSL Cecil Ballroom, Tony Purcell, John Brickwood and Allan Howarth convened a meeting which saw the formation of the Cronulla RSL Swimming Club. 71 years later the club is still in operation providing its members with many social and physical benefits.

Swimming in the local waterways all year round, the members participate in handicap races. Life Member Paul Cavanagh has been swimming with the club for 43 years, following in the footsteps of his late father. Paul states that the Cronulla RSL Swimming Club has helped him lead a very healthy life.

Club Captain Lisa Hedge says the club is an important part of it’s members lives. It is a very friendly club, it has the sporting side, the activity of swimming, the benefits of which are very well know. An indication of that, is some of our members are in their nineties and swimming is one exercise that they can keep up’ says Hedge.

Cronulla RSL Swimming Club get together at Cronulla Beach, North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Pool and Gunnamatta Baths. The club promotes the enjoyment of swimming and companionship. All ages and swimming levels are catered for and new members are always welcome. ‘What I think we would love to see down here, is some more members. Some young people, families to help boost our numbers and enjoy the fun’ said Hedge.

During summer season (1st October to 30th April), the Club swims at Gunnamatta Baths on

• Sunday mornings, registrations at 8.30am,

• Wednesday and Friday mornings, registrations at 9.30am

• Thursday evenings at 6.30pm

During the winter season (1st May to 30th September), the Club swims on

• Sunday mornings from 8.30am at Cronulla beach

• Wednesday mornings from 9am at North Cronulla SLSC pool

• Friday morning from 9am at North Cronulla SLSC pool

For more information, visit www.cronullarslswimclub.com.au

Cronulla RSL support animals that are impacted by War, through the Australian Animal Aid, a Sub-branch of War Animal Memorial Organisation. Recently, Australian Animal Aid returned to help the people and animals of the Ukraine. Here is their report.