Harrup Park Country Club board approves move to manage Mackay RSL

Harrup Park Country Club’s board has voted in favour of the arrangement, bringing considerable gravitas to shore up the Mackay RSL Sub-branch’s longevity in the CBD.

One of the best clubs in Australia will manage the Mackay RSL Sub-branch operations should ReNew Mackay’s ambitious waterfront development get the go-ahead.

Harrup Park Country Club’s board has voted in favour of the arrangement, bringing considerable gravitas to shore up the longevity of the RSL’s management at its potential new home in the Mackay CBD.

The plan would include Harrup Park running the licensed club aspect of the operation such as the cafe and bistro, and gaming functions.

General manager Adrian Young said the arrangement was a continuation of the RSL’s long association with Harrup Park, with discussions in the background ongoing over the past year.

“We think having the RSL would be fantastic for the region’s ex-servicemen and women,” he said.

“We are currently the home of the RSL Sub-branch in Mackay and we have worked with the RSL for a number of years during that time on a number of different things.

“We have started the conversations and we are a not-for-profit community club which aligns with the values of the RSL who don’t have the experience we hold.”

The Daily Mercury’s Hub for our Heroes campaign has supported the ambitious plans to revive the RSL Sub-branch in Mackay and secure its new home in the ReNew Mackay development.

Harrup Park has an enviable list of accolades that put its operation among the best in Australia including being recognised for its community connection, overall management and hosting prowess.

Mr Young said the club’s past success would help create a more sustainable RSL and address concerns some returned service clubs had been poorly managed in the past.

“There would be synergies between Harrup Park and how an RSL would run, and from our point of view, it would have to be able to complement operations and also offer points of difference,” he said.

“Part of our feasibility and business case went into what we have done so far is that it can’t be something that could cannibalise Harrup, but we see it as something different.

“To be part of the ReNew Mackay and the waterfront precinct, we see there would be real benefits.”

It is those “runs on the board” that HPCC board chairman, and Mackay Cricket Association president, Terry Doolan said would help secure the RSL’s future.

“It is very exciting news for the RSL who have been great supporters of us over many years and this is an opportunity to look after them a little bit,” Mr Doolan said.

ReNew Mackay Pty Ltd has released their plans for a proposed development in the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area.

“We like to be involved with the RSL – that’s tradition and most people have some relationship with people in the RSL.”

Mackay RSL Sub-branch president Ken Higgins said the organisation had worked “very slowly and quietly” to secure the agreement.

Mr Higgins said the collaboration between the RSL, Harrup Park and ReNew Mackay was pivotal to securing the future of the organisation.

“We are proud and happy to hold hands with Harrup Park,” he said.

“We have got a great association already and that will continue and expand.”