MAYOR Andrew Lee this week purchased a membership at the Mount Gambier Community Returned and Services League in a show of support for the embattled organisation.
Mr Lee said he hoped the gesture would inspire residents to join the cause.
“The membership fee is only $25 each year,” Mr Lee said.
“It’s only a small cost, but a little goes a long way if a large number of residents purchase a yearly membership.
“The RSL is an important community organisation and I encourage everyone to support the league in whatever way they can.”
Vice President Chris Smaling said memberships had increased since the league made its plight known.
“A number of businesses have purchased memberships for their entire staff,” Mr Smaling said.
“Only a few years ago we were handing out $10,000 cheques to other organisations and we would love to see the community return some of that support.
“Even as vice presidents and committee members, we pay for our memberships too – we hope other locals are willing to contribute.”
Vice President Peter Bruhn said it was disheartening for the RSL committee to turn down requests from other community groups.
“It really hurts to have, for example, a netball club write in to ask for sponsorship for their uniforms and to have to turn them down,” Mr Bruhn said.
“That’s what we are here for and those are the type of donations we have always made until recently.”
Committee member Dale Fox said he was confident the league’s turnaround strategy would return the establishment to surplus.
