RSL to discuss merger

Karen Hart
Merger plans are on the table for two Bellarine Peninsula sub-branches of the RSL.
The Ocean Grove sub-branch, which has around 110 members, will discuss merging with Queenscliff-Point Lonsdale during an annual general meeting this month.
Ocean Grove sub-branch president David Gilroy said a merger was among several options for finding a permanent home.
“Members are looking at a range of options for the future and amalgamating with another sub-branch, possibly Queenscliff as it’s the biggest on the Bellarine Peninsula, is an option.”
“We currently rent a room from the Ocean Grove Football Club because we don’t have our own premises, although getting our own premises is another option as well.”
Mr Gilroy said he could not comment further until after the club’s annual meeting.
Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale RSL vice president Bill Spriggins said he was unaware of amalgamation plans.
He said the Ocean Grove sub-branch had not contacted Queenscliff-Point Lonsdale about a possible merger.
But Mr Spriggins could not rule out the clubs coming together.
“It’s very unlikely that this would happen in the next 12 months,” he said.
“It was mooted some years ago but members voted against it and we have not been approached since.”
Mr Gilroy said it was possible all sub-branches on the Bellarine Peninsula and in Geelong would merge into one branch sometime in the future.
However, RSL Victoria has rejected a regional amalgamation.
“Amalgamating all sub-branches in Geelong and the surrounding area is not something that’s being planned,” a spokesperson said.
The RSL is the largest ex-service association in Australia, with 53,107 Victorian members in 307 sub-branches.
Meanwhile, Mr Spriggins said the Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale branch would erect plaques commemorating World War one and two, conflicts in Vietnam, Borneo and Malaya and the Merchant Navy on the club’s commemorative wall in the next few weeks.