To help inspire organisations such as clubs and schools around Australia, to commemorate War Animal Day on February 24th each year, Cronulla RSL have established a helpful downloadable guide, to assist staff with implementing the special day in their commemorative calendar.

In 2019 Minister Scott Buchholz announced in Federal parliament that the 24th February would be Australia's official War Animal Day. Australia joins other countries, including the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in officially recognising the deeds and sacrifices of our war animals serving alongside our troops, with their own day of remembrance.

Animals have been put to many uses in war; serving as transport, beasts of burden, messengers, protectors, mascots, and pets. They have played an important part in all wars in which Australians have been involved. This day, Purple Poppy Day, helps us reflect on the deeds and sacrifices made by animals in conflict and here on our own shores.

In 2023, Cronulla RSL recognised National War Animal Day, and the important roles that animals have and continue to play in war and on our own shores. A special memorial service was held at the Club’s Memorial Garden.

Cronulla RSL fundraising activities on ANZAC Day 2023, have raised $7,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & Veteran Service Animals.

Members & guests gathered on the club’s bowling green, for a great day of two-up, with all proceeds from the day being donated to AWAMO’s current initiatives and local retired veteran war dog, Manic.

Proceeds from Two-Up held at Cronulla RSL on ANZAC Day, will be donated to the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & local veteran war dog, Manic.

AWAMO is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation made up of community members from diverse backgrounds, that have the likeminded aim to recognize the deeds of animals during Australian military service, and to educate generations to follow of the sacrifices of four legged diggers have made.

They are currently working tirelessly to support and provide much-needed food, medication, and ground support to those helping the innocent animals of Ukraine suffering through conflict via their sub-branch, Australian Animal Aid.

In 2022, Australian Animal Aid arranged a shipping container of supplies to be hand delivered by their team to the frontline. In 2023, they hope to visit once again, this time with a team of engineers, to help construct dog kennels for 2,000 displaced dogs. In addition, they hope to purchase heaters, generators, horse blankets and other items to assist the local organisations keep our four-legged friends warm as the area heads into winter later this year. Funds raised from ANZAC Day activities will help AWAMO on this mission.

Funds raised will help support the Club’s first honorary four-legged member, Manic. Manic was a special operations military working, who served in Iraq and on Tactical Assault Group East (TAGE) and retired from service in 2020. Manic has been helping us spread the word about the fantastic work or AWAMO, and to help us commemorate War Animal Day (Purple Poppy Day). Funds raised will help Manic’s family cover expenses relating to food & veterinary costs.

Guests can also pick up an ANZAC treat for their four-legged friend at the club, with all proceeds being donated to AWAMO & Manic. The treats have been kindly donated by Pooch Treats.

In 2022, Cronulla RSL donated over $15,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & Veteran Service Animals.

For more information on AWAMO visit their website and be sure to follow them on social media.

Southside Malibu Club recently took to the waters of Bate Bay in fresh new Rashies, supplied by Ohana, and Australian made local brand.

The new Rashies are thanks to a donation from Cronulla RSL.

The club will soon be benefitting from an equipment trailer upgrade, also supported by the Club.

Established in 1984, Southside Malibu Club is Southern Sydney’s leading longboard club. Based in Cronulla and affiliated with Surfing Sutherland Shire, it provides its members with a friendly yet competitive surfing environment.

Keep an eye out for the colour surfers this weekend, as they head out for their April round on April 2nd.

Cronulla RSL are proud to be the major partner of the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival in 2023.

Presented by Shire Events Live, Code One Music, Cronulla Chamber of Commerce & Brass Monkey, the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival is a free event staged across multiple locations in Cronulla from the 1-4th June. Guests can enjoy live music in public parks, in-venue live music, beer & wine bars, a film festival, kid's events and food & retail stalls

Cronulla RSL will be hosting in-venue live music from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th June.

Cronulla RSL CEO Sue McNeill says ‘the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival is a fantastic community initiative; Not only does it bring people together to enjoy our incredible suburb, it also helps promote the live music industry showcasing some incredible talent.’

Since the events inception, in 2021, Cronulla RSL have been big supporters of the event.

‘Cronulla RSL regularly support a wide range of activities, projects and programs to help build a stronger community. The Jazz and Blues Festival provides so many benefits to our local community of Cronulla, not just entertaining by our members, but also supporting our local economy.’ McNeill said.

‘Becoming major partner this year was important to us, as we see this event as a valuable fixture in our suburb’s calendar; supporting the festival allows the club to give back & help grow the community of Cronulla.’

The Festival has partnered with Plastic Free Cronulla, and will be a single-use plastic free event.

Grab your friends, sit back and relax to the bluesy tunes or have a dance to the eclectic beats with a weekend filled with live music.

More information on artists and set times, coming soon!

Cronulla RSL have been announced as a finalist in the 2023 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards.

The Clubs & Community Awards recognise the outstanding social contributions made by clubs in their local communities. In 2023, ClubsNSW received over 120 submissions across the 9 categories of awards.

Over the years, ClubsNSW have heard thousands of stories from their members about the amazing relationships clubs have both with individuals and groups within their local communities. The Clubs & Community Awards is an opportunity to share the stories, and celebrate them.

Cronulla RSL are finalists in two categories in 2023;

On Friday 24th February Cronulla RSL recognised National War Animal Day, and the important roles that animals have and continue to play in war. A special memorial service was held at the Club’s Memorial Garden.

In 2019 Minister Scott Buchholts announced in Federal parliament that the 24th February would be Australia's official war animal day. Cronulla RSL are one of the first clubs in NSW to hold a War Animal Day service, to encourage the community to think not only about our soldiers who gave their lives in war, but also spare a thought for the four-legged and winged heroes that fought and died alongside our troops.

The service was attended by The Hon. Mark Speakman, NSW Attorney General & Member for Cronulla, Mayor Carmelo Pesce & Cnr Leanne Farmer of Sutherland Shire Council, Chief Inspector Craig James & Superintendent Julian Griffiths of the NSW Police Force Dog & Mounted Command, the Directors of Cronulla RSL and the Committee of the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch. Students from Woolooware High School, De La Salle Caringbah & Cronulla High School also paid their respects.

Local retired Military Working Dog, Manic and furry members of the NSW Police force (horses General & Prince and dogs Casper & Grug) were in attendance to pay tribute to their fellow four-legged and winged hero friends. Manic served in Iraq on Tactical Assault Group East. He assisted in training the forces deployed in Iraq, by providing early warning adversary hunt and detection, plus assault capabilities.

Animals have been put to many uses in war. Serving as transport, beasts of burden, messengers, protectors, mascots, and pets. They have played an important part in all wars in which Australians have been involved. It is estimated that more than 8 million animals died in WW1 alone: 400,000 horses left our Australian shore - only one was allowed to return home. 20,000 dogs, 200,000 pigeons, camels, mules, donkeys and even insects all played their part in battle.

On our own shores, many agencies still use animals like Casper, Grug, Prince & General to perform duties in our police and border force, such as patrols, special operations, parades & escorts. Our police dogs are amongst the best trained in the world, crucially important in the detection of drug, firearms/explosives and human remains.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cronulla RSL, Sue McNeill commented, “local veterans have educated us on the courage of animals who have served their country and the peace they have fought hard to achieve. It is only fitting that we commemorate our service animals on this day, acknowledging the sacrifices they too have made.”

Cronulla RSL are proud to be major sponsors of the Sutherland Shire Council’s Australia Day celebrations.

The three day program across the Sutherland Shire includes events reflective of the Australia Day Council theme: Reflect, Respect, Celebrate.

Commencing with a sunset cultural ceremony and including major concerts, outdoor cinemas and pool parties at our Leisure Centres, Sutherland Shire Council are delivering an epic entertainment program for our community over three days

The Cronulla RSL Sub Branch have coordinated conservation work on the the Cronulla War Memorial in Monro Park. Thanks to partial funding through a grant ($10,000) from the Community War Memorials Fund from the NSW Office for Veteran Affairs, the memorial will undergo cleaning, wreath repair, paving repointing and the replacement of metal plaques.

The original plaques will be preserved by the sub-branch as memorabilia.
Cronulla War Memorial commemorates Australian servicemen and women who have served in all wars and conflicts.

Skillz4me held their Wave Warriors event at Wanda Beach this weekend.

Created in partnership with Cronulla Surfing Academy, this event allow families who have a child with a disability the opportunity to go to the beach and have a surf experience in a fun and supportive environment.

A visit to the beach for children with a disability is a complex task; unfortunately it is an activity that most families rarely undertake. The Ocean Wave Warriors event provides these families access to specialty equipment (such as a mobi-chair, which cost in excess of $5,000) and peace of mind that there are experienced helpers on-hand to take their child safely into the water.

For most participants, the Wave Warriors event provides the only opportunity to access the water or ride on a surfboard at the beach. For some, it is their first time.

Cronulla RSL are proud to support this event, and hope to be able to engage our surfing community to help make this opportunity a regular occurrence for families in our area who have a child with moderate to severe disability.

The Cronulla Crays program is designed to teach children between the ages of 5 and 13 years of age, the fundamentals of surf beach and open water safety.

Being a competent swimmer is a critical part of water safety. To help encourage the development of this core skill, Cronulla Crays facilitate a structured learn to swim program as part of the children’s surf awareness and life saving education. Delivered in partnership with Cronulla Beach Swim School, the “Learn 2 Swim” classes are aimed at the youngest members in the U6 & U7 age groups.

The Crays are the only club in the Bate Bay area to offer this essential learning to 150 to 200 nippers every summer. Cronulla RSL are proud to support the Learn 2 Swim program in 2022/2023.

“Supporting the Crays swimming program means we are providing the youngest members of our community an opportunity to develop life-long skills’ says Sue McNeill, Cronulla RSL CEO.

Cronulla RSL will be once again supporting local schools through their ‘School Grants Scheme’, designed to assist local students further their academic, sporting, or artistic endeavours.

The School Grant Scheme enables schools to provide selected students with scholarships to help fund extracurricular activities.

Since it’s inception in 2012, the Scheme has donated $65,000 to students in the Cronulla area through the ClubsGRANTS program.

This year a total of $7,400 scholarships has been awarded to students across 9 schools. These schools include;

• Burraneer Bay Public School

• Cronulla High School

• Cronulla Primary School

• Cronulla South Public School

• De La Salle Cronulla

• Kurnell Public School

• St Aloysius Primary School

• St Francis De Sales Primary School

• Woolooware High School

Cronulla RSL Directors will be presenting scholarships to the selected students at school end of year celebrations over the remaining weeks of the school term.

The School Grant Scheme helps ensure the development of our community members and to help us all to work towards building a more progressive society.

Cronulla RSL’s support of the community is ingrained in the way they conduct business. They work with schools, local sporting clubs, volunteer groups & charitable organisations who in turn support our local Sutherland Shire region.  Providing support helps sustain the region and helps it to grow.  

Walk the Walls is coming back to Cronulla! From 9-11th December, there will be 30 artists painting large, medium and small walls around Cronulla, adding to the existing art trail in the area.

The festival will be targeting ‘problem walls’ that are frequently tagged, in a bid to minimise vandalism and increase beautification of our public spaces.

Renowned street artist Tim Phibs, who is project manager and curator for the festival, hopes it will ‘promote the importance of public art in our urban spaces as well as the positive impact it can have in our community’. Works will feature stories about country from first nation artists, portraits, pattern making and traditional graffiti.

Walk the Walls will also be supporting established and emerging artists, by creating opportunities to paint their beautiful work around the area. This industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cronulla RSL are supporting the festival once again this year, with the addition of their car park wall being transformed. The wrap around wall (adjacent to The Esplanade & Cronulla Park) is frequently tagged with graffiti.  A mural has been painted on the Club’s wall by Phibs and other talented street artists Ashley Johnston, Paul Riot & Brode Compton.

The foursome have created a site-specific mural with coastal themes and a nod to our ANZAC Diggers. Working together over one week, they have created one large harmonious piece which features wildlife, marine life and landscape familiar to Cronulla. Some of the elements included are the Green & Golden Bell Treefrog, Board Billed Sand Piper & Eastern Blue Groper.

This wall is the first of the 2022 Walk the Walls festival walls to be produced, and has already created interest and a buzz around town for the main event in December.

‘Overall we have had a very positive response from the general community. We are excited to create a giant outdoor gallery, for anyone and everyone to experience.’ said Phibs. Phibs likens art to “…food and music. Everyone is going to have a different taste. We have tried to select a large diverse mix of different styles to showcase throughout the festival.”

The Cronulla RSL wall is on display 24hours a day. The remainder of the artworks can be viewed by following the art trail around Cronulla 9-11th December (details to be released).

For more information about the Cronulla RSL wall, the inspiration and the artists visit https://www.cronullarslcommunity.com.au/walkthewalls

For more information about Walk the Walls, visit https://www.instagram.com/walkthewallsfestival/?hl=en

Congratulations to Cory Rinaldi (Sub-Branch President) & Janet Kent (55s & Over Club President) for receiving a Cook Community Award.

The annual Cook Community Awards provides the opportunity for people to be recognised for their contribution and selfless service in the community. The awards are given to volunteers actively involved in community groups, those who are working to better the environment in which we live or those who are simply “giving back” in our Cook community.

Both Cory & Janet have selflessly helped our members and have contributed greatly to our club.

Kal Glanznig jets out to Egypt this week, to attend the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in Sharm El Sheikh.

Kal has been identified as an outstanding emerging leader in the in the climate and sustainability space, and will be 1 of 3 young Australian delegates heading to the conference.

COP 27 will see countries come together to take action towards achieving the world’s collective climate goals. Kal will have direct engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Ambassador for the Environment, and Australian Diplomats, advocates, leaders, and global innovators. Plus multiple networking opportunities with over 30,000 conference delegates from 197 nations represented at COP27.

Kal hopes this experience will “provide the opportunity for global conversations which put Cronulla, Sydney and Australia on the map”. “As we have seen with recent storms and beach erosion, climate change has financial, social and environmental ramifications on Cronulla” Kal said.

Kal plans to share his knowledge on issues, solutions and ideas to combat climate change and other environmental issues. He will be documenting his experiences, challenges, ideas and questions that arise from his experience regularly on his blog.

Kal has also previously been selected onto the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council. Through Plastic Free Cronulla, Kal has helped our venue eliminate single use plastic from our operations, plus incorporate other waste reduction initiatives.

Along with Cronulla RSL, other local organisations have supported Kal in his endeavours to represent the youth of Australia at this event. Special thanks to Cronulla Chamber of Commerce, Cronulla Rotary, Commonwealth Bank and Caringbah Rotary.

It is with great sadness we inform you of the passing of our beloved Club President and Life Member Ian Bourke, who passed away peacefully today.

Ian served with distinction on our Board of Directors for over 19 years and as President for the past 12 years. Ian's core focus was to improve the lives of our Members and the community, epitomising the philosophy in which Cronulla RSL is founded upon.

Guided by Ian's leadership, Cronulla RSL has undergone significant transformation and growth.

The Board, Management and Staff extend our deepest condolences to Ian's wife Ann and his daughter Stephanie at this difficult time. Ian will be missed by us all who fondly chatted with him as he checked on his beloved Club regularly.

We are forever grateful for Ian's dedication and leadership.

Cronulla RSL are proud to help the Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking Unit get their new Naiad vessel, Botany Hacking 32 (BH32), fully equipped to be able meet the requirements of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority requirements, as a ‘Search & Rescue’ vessel.

BH32 joins their fleet of vessels in order to allow the Unit to better respond to the increasing calls for assistance from boaters and fishers in distress, and to keep their members safe in responding to calls for emergency assistance.

Our waterways have the State's second highest level of boat licence holders, the highest level of PWC (jet-ski) licence holders and the Port Hacking area accounts for 29% of maritime accidents in local waterways. In the previous boating season, their Unit took over 6000 calls, assisting 240 vessels. The new vessel will provide increased capacity to meet community need, both by increasing their response capability and also by expanding their operational ability into more shallow areas.

Thanks to the donation of Cronulla RSL, through the supplier Whitworths, the Unit has been able to purchase essential personal protection and safety equipment which will be used during search & rescue activities.

This new equipment ensures that the vessel conforms with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority requirements, as a ‘Search & Rescue’ vessel.

Cronulla RSL are proud to support the Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, Cronulla Cray Nippers Learn 2 Swim program for children U6-U7.

Cronulla Beach Swim School will work with the club’s littlest nippers across 12 sessions to assess their skill levels, build confidence and develop critical water safety knowledge as these nippers grow into future Cronulla SLSC life savers and potential Ironmen and Ironwomen.

This program will run on alternating weekends during the season, where the children will rotate between activities at Gunnamatta Bay and/or the indoor heated swimming complex.

Cronulla RSL are proud to display "Sacrifice” - Painted by Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch President, Cory Rinaldi.

‘Sacrifice’ was part of Cory’s Exhibition ‘A Soldiers Healing’, which documented his journey of service and healing through the creative power of art.

Cory was part of the Anzac Memorial's Veteran Artist in Residence Program, which aims to increase opportunities to promote wellbeing and support veterans through visual art, music, drama and creative writing.

The painting was inspired by a memory of an experience Cory had during his service in Iraq in 2006. Whilst attending a 'sunset parade' held for British military personnel who perished when their helicopter was shot down in the city of Basra, Cory stood to the attention of two coffins for over half an hour.

You can view ‘Sacrifice’ on display, at the Reception hallway. We are very honoured to display this beautiful piece.

To revisit Cory’s story or to learn more about the Veteran Artist in Residence Program, visit https://bit.ly/CoryRinaldi

Cronulla RSL have been presented with a life membership award, by the Australian War Memorial Organisation (AWAMO).

Presented by AWAMO Director James Rae, the award is in appreciation of outstanding contributions to the animal kingdom.

AWAMO has also recognised Cronulla RSL as the first RSL club in NSW to establish an AWAMO supported memorial plaque for war animals. In addition, AWAMO has declared Cronulla RSL to be the first club in Australia, to provide a retired war veteran dog club membership.

Local veteran dog Manic, was announced as the first honorary member in 2020. Manic served Iraq and on Tactical Assault Group East (TAGE).

Mr Rae also presented the club with a bronze statue, “The Walers Mate”, which will be on display for members and guests to see.

Cronulla RSL are incredibly proud to receive the award, and are committed to continuing to support AWAMO and their initiatives.

AWAMO are also currently working tirelessly to support and provide much-needed food, medication, and ground support to those helping the innocent animals of Ukraine suffering through conflict.