Almost a month after Coledale RSL Club reopened its doors for the Easter long weekend, the club continues to welcome large crowds and the volunteer crew is going strong.
Coledale RSL Club secretary Greg Todd says while numbers peaked over the Easter public holidays, the honeymoon period continues and the Anzac Day commemorations drew a crowd last Tuesday.
“Anzac Day, as far as I'm aware, was our most profitable day, but also people just enjoyed themselves,” Greg says.
“We would've had a crowd in excess of 500 people… after the service in the morning held by the Coledale RSL Sub-Branch, the club supplied breakfast to probably close to 300 or so people for largely just a gold coin donation, but some people were a lot more generous than that.
“As for patrons during the day – hard to gauge – but I reckon there would've been 200 to 300.
“People [were] wanting to come back to the club and make sure that it was true that we had reopened, that we were trading again, so it's been very encouraging.”
As well as two-up games on Anzac Day, the club has hosted live music, bi-weekly raffles and various food trucks. Greg says the patrons who have returned to Coledale RSL Club are only part of the story, as those behind the bar are having just as much fun as those in front of it.
“What has been such a pleasant surprise is that the volunteers are having such a good time behind the bar – they're enjoying themselves.
“I remember myself on the first night, it was a little bit daunting, but then you realise that the people that are coming to the club are totally understanding of the fact that you are learning what it is that you need to do behind the bar and are very patient and very pleasant.
“Everybody's just happy to be there – whether they're there as a volunteer or as a patron.”
Fellow volunteer Ian Badham – who also volunteers his media and aviation experience at HARS Aviation Museum – agrees.
“I'm now one of the team [at Coledale RSL Club] doing a shift a week, plus extras on days like Anzac Day, and I’m thoroughly enjoying having a new dimension of involvement in my local community,” Ian says.
“It’s good to see families involved down there; there's kids playing games on the grass outside the club, the food trucks have food available – a variety of different foods… it’s a totally different experience down there now.
“The community is embracing the reborn club – it’s here to stay.”
Greg says the club will remain predominantly volunteer-run for the foreseeable future, with paid staff to be kept at a minimum.
If the Easter long weekend and Anzac Day turn-outs are anything to go by, the club’s volunteers will be braced for more crowds on Mother’s Day and the club's 75th anniversary celebrations on July 29.
“I have to say Anzac Day was such a revelation to myself in particular as to how important it was to so many people that the club could commence trading again and reopen,” Greg says.
“It’s been a very steep learning curve for myself and the other directors… a lot of these things we're having to learn, plus also having to come up with schedules for bar staff for [60-odd] people, that is another challenge in itself.
“It has been so heartening for me and the other board members to realise that we've done something that so many people appreciate.”
To stay up to date with events at Coledale RSL Club, visit the website.