AN AMBITIOUS turnaround strategy is on the cards for the faltering Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League as it battles plunging membership numbers and a zero profit margin over the last five years.
Celebrating its centenary on July 15, the iconic institution is the oldest and largest RSL in the state, and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
“We are at the lowest point in recent memory – and can only go up from here,” Mount Gambier RSL president Bob Sandow told The Border Watch yesterday.
A global economic downturn, rapidly ageing members and the fact the RSL is a not for profit organisation are just some of the factors negatively impacting it, not just in Mount Gambier, but across the state.
“The problem is not only statewide, but national,” Mr Sandow said.
“The need for a traditional RSL is reducing as we move further away from the world wars and the conflicts in Vietnam and Korea.
“If we don’t reinvent ourselves, we’ll find it very hard to continue doing business in Mount Gambier as a community club.”
His views were echoed by RSL South Australia state president Brigadier Tim Hanna AM who said yesterday the RSL needs to adapt, modernise and become more relevant in an ever-changing society.
“In keeping our very important Anzac values and traditions, we should also be meeting the hospitality expectations of new members.
“In a sense we should be running the RSL more like a business, and not just a service club.
“Membership fees and donations are no longer enough to keep many RSLs going.
“In South Australia our membership peaked at 47,000 in 1947, but has decreased to around 12,000 at present,” he said.
Mr Sandow said the Mount Gambier RSL has devised a turnaround strategy focusing on a number of key aspects at its recent Annual General Meeting.
“This will include leasing out our bistro and establishing a sports bar.
“These steps will work in tandem with other initiatives like the recently established coffee shop, and the appointment of a new manager and assistant manager.”
Mr Sandow said the AGM decided the bistro should be leased to a “component operator who understands the principles and values of the RSL”.
In addition the current pokey machines in the bar area should be moved to a new location at the back of the facility.
“This will give us space to develop the front bar into a sports bar with more appeal to younger members.”
He said membership had dwindled to around 1800 from 2800 a few years ago.
Local veterans have also become fewer as the years went by with only a handful remaining in Mount Gambier.
“It’s an image problem,” says newly appointed assistant manager Sam Dwyer, 23.
“The traditional RSL does not offer much to young people who grew up in times of peace.
“We did not grow up during a major war which means we see things differently from those who have.
“I think the sports bar concept could make a difference at our RSL in attracting younger patrons,” he said.
Mr Dwyer was appointed with manager Mark Dwyer (no relation) earlier this year when both positions became vacant.
Together and with the guidance of the RSL Committee they hope to rejuvenate the organisation before it’s too late.
“Mark has the management experience and Sam the youthful optimism which are necessary for the way forward,” Mr Sandow said.
“Sam has also been working in finance and marketing and will play a key role in making the RSL more attractive to younger members.
“More importantly, both have hospitality industry experience which is critical in our line of business.”
However, Mr Sandow was adamant the traditions and values of the RSL were non-negotiable.
“The RSL has an obligation to keep the memories alive of those men and women who put their lives on the line for the freedoms we have today.”
“It simply cannot be allowed to close.
“But without the support of the community, it may well be that we won’t survive for much longer than our centenary in July,” he said.
