The award-winning Coledale RSL Club features on the cover of the Illawarra Flame's February 2025 edition. To download the magazine layout, click here, or find the article text below. 

Rising phoenix-like on the shoulders of its committed volunteers, Coledale RSL Club is going gangbusters into 2025.

Just a defiant two years after its financial collapse, the local community has taken on the club and is driving its resurgence.

Now more than 100 volunteers (cleaning facilities, caring for the grounds and performing bar duties) support two full-time bar staff, the club’s volunteer board of directors and the efforts of the Coledale RSL sub-branch.

Open four days a week – Thursday to Sunday, plus special days in addition – the club’s bar offers a range of commercial and craft beer on tap, cocktails and an increasing list of wines.

Club president Melissa Ellery says the aim is for Coledale RSL Club to not just continue as the heart of its community but to be recognised as a destination for live music.

“We want Coledale RSL to be known as a place where there’s always something happening, a place where people of all ages and interests are welcome.

“After hosting Coalchella last year, our very first music festival, we’ve continued the momentum this summer with a great line-up of diverse music genres. Music and entertainment were key to our year two plans, and they’ve truly made a difference, both in the enjoyment of our guests and in boosting our financial success.”

Volunteers are key

“If the community works behind the bar then we want it to feel like their second home,” Melissa says.

Coledale RSL sub-branch is more than the daily 6pm ode or Anzac Day with the two boards working closely to put on commemoration events. Coledale RSL sub-branch is also going from strength to strength, with a growth in membership.

Last year, Coledale RSL Club won three accolades: the Lord Mayor’s Award at the City of Wollongong Awards, a Club NSW award for community effort and in December they were named 2024 NSW Club Volunteer of the Year at a state event hosted by The Centre for Volunteering.

Future looks bright

“We are working closely to support community groups, including our local soccer club, high school and primary school, while you will see our live music program expand further this year along with some short film movie nights,” Melissa says.

With the NSW Government looking to support live venues, the club recently has won grants to install double-glazed windows and acoustic curtains so its live music will not upset nearby residents.

One of the original operators of the food trucks that stepped in when the club resumed in 2023, Claudio Russomanno staged a “kitchen takeover” last February and has continued to operate the club kitchen as ‘Rosso Pepe’, with signature pizza and Italian-themed meals.

With Claudio’s brother, chef Eugenio Russomanno (formerly of Kneading Ruby and Restaurant Santino), joining him in the kitchen, Melissa says to watch for some exciting options to come through on the food front.

Try Rooster’s craft beer

As one of the 61 locals who put up our hands to volunteer pouring beers and pick up glasses, this author and former journalist has personally experienced the passion of pushing Coledale RSL Club’s success at a time when cost of living is curbing other licenced facilities and forcing many cafes and restaurants to close their doors.

Although I’ve lived here for almost 40 years, it’s only through volunteering at the RSL that I now know so many more members of our community … including Noel “Rooster” Brackenreg who grew up watching the club being built 78 years ago.

Rooster’s contribution now is mowing the club’s lawns and keeping the gardens looking good … in addition to some bar duties. And storytelling.

As a surprise to celebrate his 89th birthday, club operations manager David Lynch arranged the creation of a new and now exclusive craft beer on tap. When visiting, ask for a Rooster Cold Ale.

It’s not just locals who love it

Over summer a Sydney-based couple called in for drinks and a bite to eat when I was on shift at the RSL, telling me they were camping at the nearby Coledale Beach.

Staying at Coledale, the only traditional north-of-Wollongong beach-side campground left, with Bulli and Corrimal long being Council-owned full tourist parks, they were tenting with their grandchildren. The husband proudly recalled those summers in his mum’s tent at Coledale over 60 years ago in an era when all northern beaches then permitted camping.

Campers from afar still enjoy the year-round popularity of Coledale Beach where this provides not only income for its surf club but patronage for the RSL. As he told me, Ryde may be his home address but – for four generations of this family – summer is always staying at Coledale Beach and spending time at Coledale RSL Club. A much-loved second home for this family.

For residents and visitors alike, it is their community’s Coledale RSL Club. A traditional building with a great past and now a huge future.

Visit coledalersl.com.au or follow the club on Facebook and Instagram