Emma Pritchard
The recent sale of the Maclean RSL sub-Branch’s River Street premises on January 14 will result in a significant investment for the local community.
Speaking with the Clarence Valley Independent last week, President of the Maclean RSL sub-Branch Stephen Walton confirmed proceeds from the sale will go towards establishing a new support and wellbeing centre for veterans and their families throughout the region.
The decision to sell the original property, which was previously leased to the Maclean Services Club, was made following a review in 2018 which determined the building required substantial repairs.
In a written statement, Mr Walton revealed the Maclean Services Club’s ongoing financial decline meant recouping any financial investment in the building would put the Maclean RSL sub-Branch’s charitable funds at considerable risk and consequently, members voted not to extend the lease beyond mid-2022 and to sell the property.
While Mr Walton did not disclose the identity of the buyer or the sale price, he did confirm the property has been purchased by a local business with members of the Maclean RSL sub-Branch expected to be fully briefed of the developments during their upcoming meeting on January 24.
In utilising the proceeds towards establishing a new facility, Mr Walton said the Maclean RSL sub-Branch aims to develop a centre which is fit to deliver the services necessary to support older veterans looking for a place to come and engage in comradery, and for younger veterans with families.
“Instead of trying to hold an old building together, we decided to invest the funds from the sale and prepare to build a new support centre,” he said.
“We are proud to be a part of our local community and we remain firmly dedicated as a veteran’s charity to providing financial, social, and all other kinds of support to our veterans from all backgrounds so we can meet their various needs.
“We have a lot of plans moving forward and this is a great investment in our future.”
To help them identify new ways of engaging with younger veterans and expanding the valuable services they provide, the Maclean RSL sub-Branch will be consulting with the local community during the next few months and analysing data collected from the 2021 census to provide them with additional insights into the needs of veterans and their current population within the Clarence Valley.
While the Maclean RSL sub-Branch will continue to use their River Street premises for the remainder of the year following an agreement with the new owner, Mr Walton revealed they are looking for “the right piece of land” on which to build their new centre.
“We’ll find it,” he said confidently.
The Maclean RSL sub-Branch currently has 110 members.
Mr Walton also wished to advise membership is free as of January this year and any veterans interested in joining are welcome to register online at www.rslnsw.org.au
The Clarence Valley Independent will continue to provide updates regarding further developments, community consultation and the establishment of the new centre in Maclean.