Gina’s haven gets RSL help

Veteran services in Scarborough and Doubleview will return under a new plan for the North Beach RSL sub-branch to bring the suburbs into its remit.

The sub-branch has also been asked to help build a sense of community for ADF personnel in the beach houses in Scarborough, which mining magnate Gina Rinehart opened for veterans this year.

The Scarborough RSL that ran the Anzac Day service at the Doubleview memorial closed due to a declining membership base.

RSLWA CEO Stephen Barton, a Scarborough local, said he wanted to bring back those services to veterans by having them provided by the thriving North Beach RSL.

“The Scarborough sub-branch isn’t gone but more in suspended animation; the charter hasn’t been revoked, it’s just that people were naturally joining the North Beach RSL from all over, even as far as Floreat and City Beach,” he said.

“It sort of makes sense for the North Beach RSL to come in and take the area into its remit.

“One of the things is if there isn’t a sub-branch, who is going to do the Anzac and Remembrance Day services?”

Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said he would love to see the services return with an RSL sub-branch to take care of the Scarborough and Doubleview areas.

“We have had many discussions with ADF personnel who have said they’re keen to see whether there’s a hybrid model for the area,” he said.

North Beach RSL president Peter Hodgson said they were keen to support the area and develop a model where Scarborough-based members could host the services.

“The unfortunate thing is the Scarborough RSL has mostly much gone to God, so we have been asked to take up the cudgel,” he said.

Mr Hodgson said they were pleased to support ADF personnel at the Beach Houses.

“Ms Rinehart has Ben Roberts-Smith House in Scarborough, and we’ve asked the North Beach Sub-Branch if they could get involved to provide a sense of community for people there,” Mr Barton said.

“Put on a barbecue, and a couple of things like that.”

Mr Barton said the success of RSL sub-branches was not determined by their number but by their ability to provide services to the community and the ADF members within them.