Parliamentarians are urging the Federal Government to finance a refurbishment and expansion of the Seymour Returned Services League, RSL, Sub-Branch to improve its facilities and cater for younger membership.
Seymour RSL operates from its original 1940s building, constructed by local World War One veterans.
With more than 200 members, the Station Street building is overdue for expansion, requiring more space to support veterans of all ages and abilities. Its toilet facilities are also ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
Seymour RSL were selected to apply for the Federal Government’s Veteran Wellbeing Grants Program – a program that provides funding for eligible ex-service organisations to address community-based projects and activities for the veteran community.
If successful, the project aims to revitalise the original building, including extending its existing meeting hall and function area, and installing modern and accessible toilet facilities, a family-friendly playground and a commemorative mural serving as a tribute to the service and sacrifices made by veterans.
Seymour RSL president Matt McLaughlin highlighted the need for funding.
“Our toilets do not have disabled access and do not meet requirements – we cannot support our veterans if we don’t have the space or services,” he said.
“We need to extend and renovate to entice younger members in the RSL, but also provide for the ageing generation as well.”
Mr McLaughlin said a bigger hall would create better opportunities for remembering conflicts, including supporting the wider community that used its facilities.
“We do have a lot of memorabilia from World War One, World War Two, Vietnam but then we don’t have a lot of room to put [memorabilia] from … Iraq, Afghanistan,” he said.
“Being that we’re so close to Puckapunyal and also a lot of veterans move into the area, we need to provide a space for veterans but not just veterans, as well as a safe space for emergency services, they also have memberships.
“It’ll help the community as well. The RSL hall is for our members, it’s for the veterans and that’s what a RSL is about, but because we’re a small community … it’ll help the community by having other activities as well – like why people couldn’t have a wedding reception there.”
Mr McLaughlin thanked Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell and Mitchell Shire Council for their ongoing support.
Ms Cleeland said she was honoured to endorse Seymour RSL for government funding.
“It is an extremely important part of the local community, offering a central location in town for veterans and their families to gather,” she said.
“By helping connect veterans to services, providing them with a way to develop social networks, and providing practical support, the Seymour RSL is offering a service that cannot be replaced.
“However, the current facilities are no longer fit for purpose.”
Mr Birrell echoed Ms Cleeland’s statement and hoped for the application’s success.
“I have been working with the Seymour RSL on this expansion for a long time,” he said.
“An application for funding has been made and we are hopeful for its success, as it is well deserved and needed for those hard-working people at the RSL.”
