A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KINGSCLIFF RSL (NSW) SUB-BRANCH

Kingscliff sub-Branch members when Peter Cosgrove visited in 2007. Pictured from L to R are Brian Massey, Tom Quayle, Brian Vickery, Peter Cosgrove, Rod Lees OAM and Wayne Quested

The sub-Branch was formed in Kingscliff circa 1946/47. Written historical detail of the early years are almost non existant in the records. First recorded President was John Rodwell in 1948 with Jack Sanotti as his Vice President and King Brown and Doug Leigh sharing the responsibility for Secretary.

Member’s met in their own homes until they moved into an old seed hall in 1976. The hall fortunately was on government land and was ‘sold’ to the sub-Branch very cheaply. It was very poorly maintained and work led by the Secretary at the time Viv Lofts and fellow member Joe Peoples got the hall into a much more workable condition.

Warren Brown elected President in 1975 and was succeeded by Dr Ken Harbison

Joe Peoples became the President in 1980 and remained in the chair for a record 26 years – he stood down in 2006 and was succeeded by Rod Lees OAM, Don Riley in 2009, Robert Brumfit in 2012 and Hugh Aitken in 2013. Jim McGoogan became Joe Peoples right hand man as Secretary/Treasurer during most of Joes 26 years as President.

Brian Vickery OAM provided the backbone of the club from 2006 accepting the role of senior Vice President and remaining until the current day. Junior Vice Presidents were Brian Massey, Robert Brumfit and John Haskew, Secretaries were Wayne Quested, Bill Binns and Don riley and Treasurers were Tom Quayle, Neville Salmon, Brian McIntosh, Don Riley and Malcolm Smith.

The renewed energy provided by the ‘younger’ management group from 2006 increased the membership by 48%, applied for a number of grants and introduced income streams which previously had not been considered.

Liquidity problems were initially solved for the sub-Branch when, in 1984, the hall was sold to the Kingscliff Bowls Club who generously allowed the sub-Branch an on-going and exclusive use of the hall to conduct its activities under a deed of arrangement. The money was invested and the interest accrual provided a major component of the sub-Branch income.

Following the devastating fire of 2020 of the Cudgen Leagues Club, in which the sub-Branch was housed, community relations were further developed in order to maintain the presence and effectiveness of the sub-Branch. In its current form bi-monthly Members General Meetings are held at the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club alternating with coffee catch ups at the same venue. Committee meetings are held at the Salt Surf Life Saving Club owing to availability for space.