Mackay RSL, Kinchant Dam Wellness Centre, Memorial Pool proposals renewed

An unfulfilled $5 million pledge has ‘killed the dreams’ of a Vietnam War veteran who valiantly fought to revive the glory days of Mackay’s RSL Club. But he hasn’t lost hope yet.

An unfulfilled $5 million pledge has “killed (the) dreams” of a Vietnam War veteran who had valiantly fought to revive the glory days of Mackay’s RSL Club.

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce had said the money was “locked in to the budget” but that funding dissipated when LNP lost the election, and by October 2022, it was clear the 2022-23 federal budget would not honour the coalition’s election-driven assurances.

Mackay RSL Sub-branch president Ken Higgins had hoped, with a financial boost from the government, to saddle a new RSL club onto a high-rise that Renew Mackay was planning to build on Brisbane St.

The lower floor would house the RSL restaurant and bar, with the team behind Harrup Park Country Club at the helm, and Level 1 would house veteran support services.

The former Mackay RSL Club, which is now home to Community Solutions. Picture: Heidi Petith

But Mr Higgins said a “few curve balls”, including the non-existent $5 million, had forced them to pivot in a new direction.

“We’ve got 4000 veterans in the Dawson electorate (who are) absolutely missing out,” he said.

“When we had that $5 million promised to us, everything was dinky-dory and away we were going, but that all got squashed and so did a lot of our dreams.

“That’s exactly what killed us.”

Mr Higgins said they were now focused on revamping their current Sub-branch home at 7 Sydney St including installing a lift to the upper floor, after the federal Department of Veteran Affairs invited them to apply for a share in a $20 million grant pool.

He said they hoped to receive about $2 million.

Mackay RSL sub-branch president Ken Higgins in front of the old slouch hat at the former Mackay RSL Club in Sydney St. Picture: Heidi Petith

As part of the Hubs for our Heroes campaign, spearheaded by this publication, there are also proposals to open support services for veterans and first responders at the Memorial Swim Centre, and build a veterans and first responders wellness hub at Kinchant Dam – a project led by PTSD Frontline chairman Dr Peter Wirth with the backing of Sir Peter Cosgrove.

“Basically we need a home for our veterans,” Mr Higgins said, adding even if they missed out on the River St high rise, Renew Mackay had other commercial and accommodation projects in the works.

”We’re in the mix (but) we haven’t been given any funding, that’s the bottom line,” he said.

“Our wish list is long, and we know we wont get it all in five minutes, but some of the feedback we’re getting from government is very promising.”

Mackay RSL sub-branch president Ken Higgins and Dawson MP Andrew Willcox have renewed calls for a purpose-built RSL and wellness centre. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Joining him in Mackay on Thursday a day before the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War’s cessation was Dawson MP Andrew Willcox, who renewed calls for Labor to invest in the region’s veterans.

Mr Willcox echoed Mr Higgins concerns and called on the Albanese government to honour the LNP’s $5 million promise, saying the issue was “way bigger than politics”.

“Currently in Australia we’re trying to recruit people for the Defence Force,” Mr Willcox said.

“So we should be able to show to them, hey, we value your service and when you come home, we will look after you.”

Solomon MP Luke Gosling, one of comparatively few Labor MPs with military experience, is expected to meet with Mr Higgins and Mr Willcox at the Vietnam War memorial service in Mackay on Friday to discuss bipartisan support for the various proposals.

Mr Higgins said they already had support from Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert as well as from Mackay Regional Council and Mayor Greg Williamson.