Wauchope RSL A Community Facilitator

Wauchope RSL Club secretary Wayne Saley has seen a lot of changes over the past 23 years is service to the club but one thing that has remained consistent is the club's ongoing commitment to local groups, clubs and charities (listen to the interview below).

The Wauchope RSL currently sponsors or supports over 87 local groups, charities and organisations in and around Wauchope including an annual donation to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service of $30,000+ and many, many smaller donations or 'in kind' sponsorship which makes a huge difference to all the clubs, groups and charities involved.

Wayne explains, 'Much of what we do is to provide a meeting place for groups to come together at no cost and assist new groups to get started'.

Wauchope RSL will guide and even chair new groups first meeting to facilitate their forming of a club committee as well as provide new groups with very helpful insights for success. For example, Wayne recommends a meeting time of 7pm for evening meetings set during the week as one of the more successful times in getting people to turn up.

Most people will be familiar with the clubs involvement with the Returned Servicemen's Association, Darts, Snooker, Indoor Bowls, Cards including Euchre, Dancing and Table Tennis but there are many more groups who meet at the RSL at no cost and operate their club activities externally. Check out the list of local groups, charities and interest clubs here. 

Last week, the club very  kindly donated $200 for much needed sporting equipment to Friday Night Youth Group. The latest payment in a long tradition of funding community groups and charities with a sporting focus.

Way back in the late 1950s, the RSL actually paid for the Wauchope Memorial Pool which has served the community for over 60 years. When council needed more parking for the Wauchope CBD, the RSL purchased the land in front of the (now IGA).

'It's what we do, we don't do it for the glory'

Each day, the RSL serves a $6 lunch to give older or isolated residents in particular, access to home style cooked healthy meals, affordable enough for every day.

Wayne says 'It doesn't sound much, but all these little things bring people together'.

If you are new to Wauchope or you have been here a while but want to get more involved with your community, joining the Wauchope RSL is a really easy way to fast track new friendships and get involved with people who share your interests.

Annual membership is open now and is just $8.80 or you can join for five years for $22.

www.WauchopeRSL.com.au

p.s Wayne is set to retire in January 2018 so be sure to tip your hat to him when you see him in the street and give him congratulations.