Coledale RSL brought back from the brink by volunteers

A cast of residents on a volunteer roster – including 88-year-old lawn mower nicknamed Rooster – have brought a beloved RSL back from the brink in a seaside village south of Sydney.

A historic RSL in a tiny cliffside village just south of Sydney faced being wiped off the map for good after financial woes forced it to shut its doors.

Now, a band of determined volunteers – including an 88-year-old lawn mower who saw the club built from the ground up in the 1940s – have brought the cherished venue back to life.

Coledale RSL closed for six months in late 2022 with seemingly no hope on the horizon for the popular club, once known by residents of the 1300-strong town as “the living room”.

Retired nurse turned barmaid Katharine Daffurn, 74, was among those who heeded club director David Lynch’s call for volunteers to bring the club from the brink.

Katharine Daffurn, 74, works behind the bar and is one of many volunteers who have helped make the resurrection of Coledale RSL a success. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I had never poured a beer, I didn’t know anything about beer really,” Ms Daffurn said.

“I didn’t want to be left out, I wanted to make a contribution – when I see all the people come in, it just makes you feel really proud to be a part of it.”

74-year-old Paul “Macca” McDonald and 89-year-old Noel “Rooster” Brackenreg who take care of the lawns at Coledale RSL. Picture: Richard Dobson

After decades of being a community institution, the club was crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic and losing money at a rapid rate before it finally gave up the ghost in late 2022.

The once-pivotal venue was shuttered for months before former Wombarra Bowlo director David Lynch hatched a plan to revive the club with a refreshed board and a band of local volunteers.

Mr Lynch put a call out – and the people who remembered the beloved club as it once was came together, as unpaid bartenders, cleaners and groundskeepers to ensure its doors could open to the community once more.

The club has been back in business with the tireless support of its volunteer staff since April 2023.

Noel Brackenreg, 88 – known to all as Rooster – mows the lawns at the RSL.

Rooster, who arrived in Coledale 84 years ago before electricity, water and sewerage – stood across the road and saw the club built on a paddock where residents used to play soccer in 1948.

Noel “Rooster” Brackenreg, 88, mows the lawns at Coledale RSL. Picture: Richard Dobson

“It was all volunteer work, after the war when the soldiers came back – they all chipped in,” Rooster said.

“Eighteen townspeople all put in 10 pound each, and they built this block.”

Fellow volunteer Paul “Macca” MacDonald said the rallying of local residents had been “phenomenal”.

David Lynch and his 2 year old son Indie. David manages Coledale RSL and he and many volunteers who donate their time with bar work and maintenance, have helped make the resurrection of Coledale RSL a success after it was forced to close two years ago. Picture: Richard Dobson

“There was no guarantee what they were going to do would work but through the hard work (of directors and volunteers) – some old buggers doing some mowing – it’s quite a success,” Mr McDonald said.

“Everyone’s extremely happy doing what they’re doing, it’s part of their life now.”

Oliver Rann is one of the club’s younger volunteers at 20.

Paul “Macca” McDonald helps with maintenance at the RSL. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I’ve seen a lot of people I haven’t seen since primary school by coming back to the club to do volunteer work,” Mr Rann said.

“It’s become pretty much a centre for the Coledale community – it’s more than just a bar, it’s become a place to meet people and revisit people you haven’t seen in years.”

Katharine, 74 and Oliver Rann, 20, work behind the bar at Coledale RSL. Picture: Richard Dobson

With its toughest days in the rearview mirror, the club is now a hive of activity – with a book club, carpet bowls, a trivia night that attracted more than 160 people, and a popular bistro to boot.

The town’s first veterans are also never far from the patrons’ thoughts, with the venue hosting a poignant Anzac Day service each year and its walls bearing tributes to local miners, teachers and butchers who never returned home from war.

Those who drive by at the right time of an evening will see patrons on their feet, gazing west, for the Ode – before the lively atmosphere the happy neighbours built back up together resumes.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]