Mackay RSL reveals new community facility at Illawong Beach
After years of searching a North Queensland RSL has found a new home for its members while also hoping to bring younger vets and their families into the fold via their new community centre.
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A beachside sports and recreation venue will be reopening as a community centre and new home for the Mackay RSL.
The Mackay RSL sub-branch lost its base on Sydney St in 2006 due to a number of financial factors, but has since been able to recover and, thanks in part to a campaign led by the Daily Mercury, now has a new home.
Citibeach Volleyball at Illawong in East Mackay will be leased by the RSL club and opened to veterans of all ages, as well as community members who purchase RSL membership.
RSL Mackay sub-branch president Ken Higgins said what drew him to the new location was the location and the site’s sporting facilities.
“I instantly thought of our younger veterans with kids,” Mr Higgins said.
“We’re currently focusing on attracting the East Timor, Afghan and Somalia veterans.
“Now they have somewhere to bring their family.”
The new RSL headquarters, named the Mackay Memorial Services and Community Wellness centre, comes with beach volleyball courts, a pool, minigolf and laser tag arena, all of which will be accessible by the broader community.
“We just wanna serve the community,” he said.
“We love them to come here and have a coffee or a sandwich.”
Although the new facility has already hosted groups of school students for beach volleyball, the process of reopening all of the venues facilities and redeveloping the site will be a slow one.
“Our focus is going to be on sustainability and service,” Mr Higgins said, asking for patience.
“We know we’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we have got a wonderful beginning.”
The club is aiming to be out of their offices on River St and moved into the Illawong Beach location before Christmas, with the possibility of hosting Dawn Services next year.
“At long last we have a home, and we are going to focus on having a facility that veterans and the community will be happy to come and support for all the right reasons.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Mackay RSL reveals new community facility at Illawong Beach
Man tormented elderly cancer victim, drew pentagrams
A Queensland man accused of making his elderly neighbours feel like prisoners, including drawing pentagrams outside their homes and tormenting a cancer patient has tried to fight his eviction.
Minister’s Bruce Highway fix hope amid funding row
While bickering over the funding split between state and federal governments continues, Australia’s Infrastructure Minister says she believes the Bruce Highway could be complete one day.
10 bidders: Island that inspired Chronicles of Narnia sold for amazing price
An Aussie island that inspired beloved cult classic The Chronicles of Narnia has sold at auctionwith 10 local, interstate and overseas bidders competing for the stunning retreat.
Teen worker’s limb crushed in Qld mining accident
The mine safety watchdog has issued a directive to isolate the incident site at a Central Queensland mine where a young worker was partially crushed by the rim of a truck tyre. LATEST
Scrap metal truck rollover, man hospitalised
A man has been hospitalised following a truck rollover which blocked an important rural road.
‘Hang in there’: $130 rent increase threatens family with homelessness
After living in a rental for more than two years, one family found themselves job hunting on a fixed income with the threat of homelessness breathing down their neck.