What is
Trees of Hope?
Trees of Hope is Cronulla RSL’s annual festive campaign celebrating local community initiatives. Each year, the Club is transformed with Christmas trees decorated by organisations from our community. Since 2016, Trees of Hope has showcased and supported programs that make a real difference in people’s lives. Every decorated tree represents a program, turning the Club into a symbol of generosity, hope, and community spirit.
In 2025, Trees of Hope returned with an exciting new twist — the community was invited to nominate for the first time. Organisations put forward programs that deserved recognition and support to be considered for a decorated tree. You can read more about the three programs chosen
Members will then have the chance to vote for their favourite tree. The organisations behind the winning trees will share a $7,000 prize pool. Voting opens Monday, 10th November…stay tuned!
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‘Trees of Hope’ has been brightening up Cronulla RSL during the festive season since 2016. The campaign raises awareness for the wonderful work undertaken by these organisations and helps provide much needed funds to their cause.
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This year, Cronulla RSL is inviting the local community to help shape the campaign. Local organisations that serve Cronulla and the Sutherland Shire can nominate programs and initiatives that deserve recognition and support.
A panel will select three programs to feature as decorated trees inside the Club during the festive season.
All nominated programs, including those not chosen as finalists, will be acknowledged on a Community Tree in the Reception area.
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Voting will be open to Cronulla RSL financial members only.
Financial members can collect weekly voting tickets at the Members Kiosk, every Monday from 10 November to 14 December 2025.
Tickets can be placed in the barrel of their favourite tree.
Members can vote for more than one tree, but one ticket can only be placed in the barrel of a single tree each week.
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Winning trees will be announced on 15th December.
The tree with the most voting tickets receives the top prize. The other two feature trees share the remaining prize pool.
Prize Pool for Programs:
1st Place: $3,500
2nd Place: $2,500
3rd Place: $1,000
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Financial members who vote, also have a chance to win a Cronulla RSL gift card, valued at $500. The winner will be drawn on 16th December.
Surfers Rescue 247
Surfers Rescue 24/7 is a community safety initiative delivered by Surfing NSW with the support of the NSW Government, designed to equip surfers across New South Wales with vital CPR and board rescue skills. The program aims to reduce the risks associated with ocean recreation by providing free training to surfers who are often first responders during beach emergencies, especially on unpatrolled beaches. Open to all surfers regardless of age or experience, the initiative includes practical CPR instruction and board rescue workshops developed in collaboration with professional surfers who also serve as lifeguards. These sessions focus on real-life rescue scenarios to ensure participants are prepared to act confidently and effectively in emergencies. By empowering the surfing community, the program seeks to enhance safety along the NSW coastline, reduce incidents of drowning, and formally recognise the critical, often unsung, role surfers play in beach safety. Funded entirely by the NSW Government, Surfers Rescue 24/7 is accessible to all and aims to strengthen community resilience through education and proactive engagement.
LifeUnleashed - Integra Sergice Dogs
Life Unleashed, a non-profit founded by Veterans with one mission: to support Veterans and First Responders facing PTSD and related mental health challenges from their service. Our incredible dogs help these individuals and their families lead happier, fuller lives.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the second most common mental health issue after depression. Supporting over 130 Australians and their families, our expertly trained Service Dogs provide Veterans and First Responders with unparalleled care, offering them a new lease on life.
Through the transformative power of the human-canine bond, we can change lives.
Platform 9 - Kingsway Care
You’ve heard it said, there’s no place like home. Ever wondered what that would sound like to a single mum or a distressed gentleman who have no place to go? The reality is, for many across South Eastern Sydney, home - a safe place to sleep - simply does not exist. The impacts of domestic violence, homelessness, addiction, unaffordable housing, and family breakdown are driving many in our community to the margins of society.
As our name suggests, we are a platform, a place of transition and compassion where people can stay, recover, belong, and prepare for a new future.
Platform Nine is a community of compassion which exists to provide temporary and crisis accommodation for individuals or families who have survived domestic violence or been impacted by homelessness. Through providing emergency accommodation it is our mission to connect, support, and empower people toward longer term housing solutions and independent living.
Our culture is one that is founded on safety, family, community, and belonging. Everything we do has our clients best interests in mind. This means we are client-centred, non-judgemental, and we don't discriminate based on any race, religion, gender, or sexuality. Platform Nine is a genuinely inclusive accommodation service that meets the needs of everyone who accesses our services.
Since we opened our doors in 2015, we have housed and assisted over 1200 women, children and men.
Our Crisis Accommodation service has a success rate of over 90% in supporting clients into longer term housing solutions. Kingsway Care is also South Eastern Sydney’s largest provider of adult Temporary and Crisis Housing.
Platform Nine offers temporary and crisis accommodation services catering to stays from 1 night to 3 months. Our services are spread across multiple locations in the South Eastern Sydney region.