Local businesses reach out to offer support for unemployed RSL staff in wake of Darwin CBD blaze

DEVASTATED long-term patrons of the Darwin RSL slowly turned up to see for themselves what was left of their beloved club, which went up in flames yesterday morning

Darwin RSL after the devastating fire. Pic Katrina Bridgeford.

DEVASTATED  long-term patrons of the Darwin RSL slowly turned up to see for themselves what was left of their beloved club, which went up in flames yesterday morning.

The RSL is now a crime scene after a fire tore through the Cavenagh St premises between 1am and 2am.

Darwin RSL Sub Branch president Bob Shewring said it was devastating to see the venue, which had undergone a $2 million renovation last year, gutted by fire.

Concern has turned towards the irreplaceable service medals and photos kept on premises.

“It’s extensive damage really and damage to the memorabilia which is our main concern,” he said.

“The whole thing is a concern don’t get me wrong, when you’ve just spent $2 million doing the whole place up and then find that when you look at the place now it’s really sad.”

He said many of the items had been donated by families of deceased veterans.

“Everything else can be replaced but some of that might be irreplaceable because it was gifted to us from people who have passed on,” he said.

“Hopefully we can replace some of that stuff but we’re not sure.” He said insurers had been notified but it was too early to know if the building would have to be demolished.

Mr Shewring said the blaze was a massive hit to the club’s finances and said it would be upsetting to learn if the fire was deliberately lit.

“We’re pretty annoyed that the fire has destroyed everything anyway, that would just be another added piece of rubbish to us,” he said.

NT Fire and Rescue Service fire investigator Tony Miles said the ground level had little heat damage but is water logged.

It is not known how much damage has been caused to Vintage Cellars.

Crews were called to the fire just after 1am.

“It was an intense fire and crews did a great job in protecting the adjoining properties and confining the fire to the upper floor of the RSL building,” he said.

The fireys fought the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control at 4.30am.

“Fire investigation will be taking place in conjunction with police forensics and working towards trying to determine what caused the fire and what started the fire,” he said.

It is understood fireys are investigating two main areas at the site.

Darwin Sub Branch RSL president Bob Shewring and committee members gather at the scene. Pic Katrina Bridgeford.

Mr Miles said it was too early to say if the fire was suspiciously lit. Among the club’s supporters surveying the damage was Raymond “Doc” Doherty, who’s been a member of the Darwin RSL on and off since the 1970s.

Each Wednesday he and his partner Marianne Flemming would head in for a lunch and a flutter on the pokies.

“We’re retired, this was our outing each Wednesday, for a lovely meal and an hour on the machines,” he said.

He said it was devastating to see the venue reduced to rubble.

“I have a lot of fond memories, I remember having a drink at the old original corrugated iron green shed,” he said. As a former serviceman himself, he said the advocacy services the club offered from the Cavenagh St site was vital.

“It’s not only the club it’s the services to the veteran community, they are advocates and look out for the veterans,” he said.

Mr Shewring said advocacy and support services would temporarily move to the Palmerston RSL site. There are 2000 members of the Darwin RSL social club and a further 300 members through the Darwin Sub Branch.

RSL Sub Branch vice president Keith Joseph said he was deeply concerned about the 30 employees who now would not have a job.

Local hospitality business owners including restaurateur Jason Hanna and The Chippy owners Mark and Andy Wixted have reached out to employees offering up employment. “Even if one or two of them take up the offer it will be a help,” Mark said.

Mr Hanna has also put the idea out on social media to have the RSL social club move into the vacant building of the Vic Hotel.