By CHERIE DONNELLAN
ANZAC Day commemorates the past but this year Torquay Returned and Services League president Kevin Egan is looking to the future.
Mr Egan was elated RSL members would have a place to call home when redevelopment of Torquay Bowls Club – including two offices and a community hall for the RSL’s use – is completed before Anzac Day next year.
“Next year’s Anzac celebrations will be even more special,” he said.
Mr Egan praised a draft plan for the redevelopment, which land manager Great Ocean Road Coast Committee had released for public comment until last Thursday.
He also thanked the bowls club for allowing RSL members to have input in the planning process.
“We’re pleased to be working with the bowls club to plan our permanent home. We’ll get the equivalent of a 20-year tenancy agreement.”
Mr Egan said the RSL would share the hall with the private bookings for functions but have “priority”.
“We’ll book in [our functions] well ahead for dates we want. That’ll work quite well.”
Mr Egan was particularly excited about the plan’s inclusion of a “garden of remembrance” with a memorial stone and anchor in the south-west corner of the redevelopment.
Landscaping would begin after the completion of building work, he said.
Bowls club president Des Bruhn expected the community hall to attract plenty of users.
“We already have a lot of people looking to book for a range of functions with our existing club, so with the extension it will be under more demand.”
