West HQ, formerly Rooty Hill RSL, marks 60 years in business with jubilee celebration

A beloved western Sydney establishment, once famously dubbed “the Vegas of the west”, is celebrating a milestone with a rolling jubilee. Take a trip down memory lane.

The venue over the years.

A beloved western Sydney entertainment precinct, once dubbed “the Vegas of the west”, is gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

West HQ, formerly known as the Rooty Hill RSL, began as a humble 12-metre by 17-metre shack when it opened in 1964.

But it quickly evolved into a cornerstone of Sydney’s cultural and entertainment scene, expanding into multiple venues across roughly nine hectares, or 20 acres.

Now, decades on, the venue is set to mark its 60th anniversary with a rolling celebration across 60 days.

Chef Sean Connolly‘s restaurant, Steak and Oyster Co, is one of the many high-end eateries at West HQ. Picture: Danilo Spirandelli

These celebrations include a $19.64 menu at Eat Street Central - priced as homage to the year the Rooty Hill RSL opened - with favourite dishes such as glazed pork ribs and chicken parmigiana.

There will also be a three-day music festival, called GIG60, in the Sydney Coliseum from September 25 to 27.

Acts performing each night at the festival surround a particular theme.

Night one — “total legends” — will feature performances from The Horses singer Daryl Braithwaite, Australian hard rock band Baby Animals, and television personality and singer Marcia Hines.

Night two has been dubbed “total country”, with performances from Troy Cassar-Daley, country duo Brooke McClymont and Adam Eckersley, and 2024 new talent of the year Max Jackson.

Daryl Braithwaite is one of the acts set to perform at a three-day music festival celebrating 60 years of West HQ. Picture: Supplied

Night three will be “total icons”, with indie folk band Boy and Bear, alternative Sydney rock band Middle Kids and 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright.

Take a walk down memory lane and explore the history of the iconic venue:

History

The Rooty Hill RSL opened its doors for the first time in 1964, with only 127 members.

The RSL’s original location was at North Pde in Rooty Hill, but after a rise in the number of members, the premises later moved to Sherbrook St, where it remains today, in 1972.

The Rooty Hill RSL back when it opened in 1964. Picture: Supplied

The following year, the RSL received its first major televised mention when the late, great Bert Newton, who was presenting the official opening of the Sydney Opera House with the late Queen Elizabeth II, said goodbye to “all my good friends and the Rooty Hill RSL”. It was rumoured the Queen then asked Mr Newton if “such a place exists” after the comment.

The RSL began expanding in 1974 with the addition of the Fred Chubb lounge - named after the founding father of the RSL - and was quickly followed by the opening of the Tivoli showroom in 1976.

In 1992, the precinct opened its first accomodation, the RSL Resort. This later became Novotel.

The next major development at the RSL did not come until more than a decade later, with the opening of the sports lounge, which included a TAB, in 2003.

West HQ. Picture: Supplied

The next major investment joining the growing number of developments at the Rooty Hill site was not announced until five years after the sports lounge opened, with the news of a new, state of the art Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre.

The custom-built centre itself did not open until 2013, accompanied by the SGAC Health Fitness and Aquatic, now known as One55 Health and Fitness.

The year 2019 proved to be a major point for developments for the RSL, with the grand opening of Eat Street Central - a high-end dining precinct showcasing several eateries headed by top chefs - along with the Sydney Coliseum Theatre and Chu Restaurant by China Doll, which joined other eateries in Eat Street Central.

The RSL officially changed its name that year also, from Rooty Hill RSL to West HQ.

More recently, in 2023, two new restaurants joined the premises with Harriet’s Chicken opening at Eat Street Central and New Town Thai also opens.

Inside West HQ's Sydney Coliseum Theatre. Picture: Contributed

West HQ has played host to many prolific performers over the years, from the Bee Gees to Daryl Braithwaite to Jimmy Barnes, and was even once named “the Vegas of the west” by late TV host Don Lane.

There was even once a push for the precinct to get its own postcode and mayor, due to its size.