{"id":3853,"date":"2024-11-22T16:56:45","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T05:56:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=3853"},"modified":"2025-06-26T14:16:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T04:16:14","slug":"history-of-the-club","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=3853","title":{"rendered":"History of the Club"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preston RSL<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1919<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Preston RSL was formed in 1919 with the object of perpetuating the close ties of friendship of members of the First&nbsp;A.I.F. and to safeguard their&nbsp;interests in Repatriation and Rehabilitation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With the assistance of Councillors and Citizens, supported by the Red Cross, the Father\u2019s Association and the Women\u2019s Auxiliary, a fund of 3,000 pounds was raised to erect a Memorial Hall as an additional storey to the Preston Library.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Memorial Hall was financed by public subscription, added to which the Council struck a special rate of 3 pence in the pound.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Soldiers\u2019 Memorial Hall was free of access to all returned soldiers, and was the meeting place of the Preston Branch R.S.S.&amp; A.I.L.A.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1921<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Lord Forster, P.C., G.C.M.G., the first Governor General, laid the foundation stone on the 6th March, 1921, and the first meeting was held in September, 1921.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cr. L. Jones, J.P. Shire President, was the first President of the Preston RSL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There have been 37 persons who have filled the roll of President.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The local branch has paid particular attention to the welfare of ex-service persons and also the interests of the youth of Preston, including Cricket, Football, Basketball and Marching Girls Teams.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1951<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Memorial Hall reverted back to the Preston Council in 1951 as an extension to the Library.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>New premises were erected at the rear of the Town Hall in Kelvin Grove to accommodate our Sub-Branch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1957<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The new Sub-Branch and Clubrooms were officially opened by Sir George Holland, K.B.E., M.M., the National President of the RSL on 19th May 1957, and has been our home for over 50 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The list of service persons who gave distinguished service to the community would be too long to include in this brief resume, however mention should be made of N. Osborne, O.B.E., M.H.P. Zwar, O.B.E. who were both honoured by the Queen, with the O.B.E., Wally Guppy, B.E.M., and Hilda Spicer A.O.M.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Two Preston persons namely, Sergeant William [Rusty] Ruthven, who served in the 22nd Battalion 1st&nbsp; A.I.F., World War 1, and Private Bruce S. Kingsbury, who served in the 2nd\/14th Battalion, World War 2&nbsp;were both awarded the Victoria Cross.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their names are perpetuated by the Ruthven Railway Station, the Ruthven State School, Ruthven Park, the Kingsbury District and Kingsbury Drive through the grounds of LaTrobe University.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preston Club<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1960<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>At a meeting of the Preston Chamber of Commerce in the late 1950\u2019s the Chamber\u2019s Social Club was appointed to establish a club for the Chamber. Money raising was started immediately and sometime afterwards a property in Cramer Street Preston was purchased and a year later an adjoining property was purchased in the name of the Trustees \u2013 J.A.G. Campbell, Jim Marshall and Ern Jensen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On 10th February 1960 a meeting was held to elect the first Committee of The Preston Club<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The first annual meeting was held on the Premises of W.L. Wonder, 555 High Street on the 14th July 1960. J. Campbell was elected president. The Annual fee was set at $5.50 and membership was 51.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1973<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>A further adjoining property was purchased and subsequently these properties were sold for $200,000. Premises at 402 Bell Street were purchased for $180,000 in 1973 and after $180,000 refit, they were officially opened by the Hon. R.J. Hamer, Premier of Victoria, on the 4th May 1974.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Additional adjoining land has been purchased over the years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Preston Club provided support to local sporting bodies such as community cricket and football teams as well as local charities in addition to providing sporting and social facilities to it\u2019s members.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Darebin RSL<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2005<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>In 2005 a meeting was held with the Preston Club with the view to amalgamating both clubs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With the approval of the RSL Victorian State Branch, the Merger agreement between the Preston RSL and the Preston Club was signed on the 14th December 2005 and the New Club was formed to be known as the Darebin RSL Sub-Branch Incorporated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2006<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The first official meeting of the new Darebin RSL was held on Wednesday 22nd January 2006 at 5.20pm with six [6] representatives from both clubs making up the Committee of Management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Northcote RSL Sub Branch amalgamated with the Darebin RSL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With the approval of the RSL Victorian State Branch, an amalgamation agreement between the Darebin RSL and the Northcote RSL was signed and approved on the 29th October 2008.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major renovations were made to the Bell Street premises in 2008. Major General David McLaughlin AO officially declared the new club rooms open on Thursday 4th December 2008.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2012<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Fairfield-Alphington RSL Sub Branch amalgamated with the Darebin RSL in early 2012.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>After years of planning and unfortunate delays with Coronavirus in early 2020, major renovations are approved to start at Darebin RSL, seeing first the carpark double the amount of spots after acquiring the block in Arthur St, as well as new landscaping and shading for those hot summer days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In-house renovations start including the removal of Squash courts and swimming pool located in the building across from main entrance.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2022<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Major renovations commence at Darebin including new wallpaper, new carpets throughout the entire venue, new furniture consisting of different chairs and tables, light fixtures and upgrades to both toilet blocks. Our Bistro upgraded now with a bright and relaxed atmosphere with costal beach colors and comfy chairs. Still offering affordable meals and great entertainment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P8Racl-109","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":76,"url":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=76","url_meta":{"origin":3853,"position":0},"title":"Functions | Darebin","author":"yopui203","date":"June 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Darebin RSL is the perfect place for you to hold your next function. Whether it be a birthday party, engagement party, baby shower, family reunion, wake\/memorial, graduation, conference, workshop, meeting or seminar, the Darebin RSL can cater to all and every function need. With access to different multimedia oulets\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250713_103113-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250713_103113-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250713_103113-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250713_103113-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250713_103113-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/20250713_103113-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1815,"url":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=1815","url_meta":{"origin":3853,"position":1},"title":"Monday Madness","author":"Carly Field","date":"December 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Due to restrictions by the Australian Government about gathering capacities during COVID, the Darebin RSL has cancelled this promotion until further notice. Darebin RSL Monday Madness Member\u2019s Draw Terms & Conditions 2020 The Darebin RSL \u201cMonday Madness Members Draw\u201d will be drawn at the Darebin RSL 402 Bell St Preston\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3907,"url":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=3907","url_meta":{"origin":3853,"position":2},"title":"Associations","author":"Carly Field","date":"November 23, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Trivia NightWeekly games on Wednesday NightFame Trivia WORLD POKER PROWeekly games and tournamentshttps:\/\/www.worldpropoker.com.au\/ ROTARY OF PRESTONLunch and meeting every Wednesday 1.15pmhttps:\/\/www.rotary-prestonaust.com\/ MELBOURNE CITY MISSIONLunches and gatherings throughout the yearhttps:\/\/www.mcm.org.au\/ Who Said What Get Serious Local bands supported by Darebin RSL. Who Said What and Get Serious. For your next event:Who\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Who-Said-What-Group-Shot.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1288,"url":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=1288","url_meta":{"origin":3853,"position":3},"title":"Thursday Member&#8217;s Draw","author":"Carly Field","date":"January 17, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"MEMBERS DRAW Thursday 14th May 2026 - A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO SOCIAL MEMBER NANCY SADIKU, ON BEING DRAWN OUT AS A WINNER TAKING HOME $4,200 IN CASH!!!! Thursday 19th February 2026 - A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO SOCIAL MEMBER MARIE OLSEN, ON BEING DRAWN OUT AS A WINNER TAKING HOME $4200\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2800.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2800.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2800.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":78,"url":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=78","url_meta":{"origin":3853,"position":4},"title":"Contact Us","author":"yopui203","date":"June 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"General Contact Information Darebin RSL 402 Bell Street Preston, Victoria 3072 (Corner of St Georges RD & Bell ST, next to BP petrol station) You can access our carpark which is located at the rear of the building via Arthur Street or St. Georges Road Ph: 9484 4353 Fax:9480 0412\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/darebin.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/darebin.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/darebin.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/darebin.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3857,"url":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/?page_id=3857","url_meta":{"origin":3853,"position":5},"title":"RSL Membership","author":"Carly Field","date":"November 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Returned and Services League has some 1500 Sub-Branches throughout Australia and with a membership of 350,000, is one of the largest service and ex-service associations in Australia. Currently there are 270 RSL\u2019s in Victoria. We offer memberships to anyone over the age of 18 years. The RSL offers three\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/darebinrsl.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Ufsdfdntitled.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3853"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3853"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4066,"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3853\/revisions\/4066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/darebinrsl.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}