Newspaper House - Home of the The Free Press, The North Central Review and Whittlesea Review.

BY RHETT BURNIE

BROADFORD RSL members could be in a brand new hall by the end of the year after the club received a Federal Government grant of more than $100,000.
The announcement comes almost two years to the day after an electrical fire destroyed the original building in Murchison Street.
Decades of precious memorabilia, including items that dated back to World War One, was also lost in the fire on January 10, 2008.Broadford RSL Secretary Des Callaghan said the new grant, funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, meant the club could now begin applications for the appropriate planning permits.
Mr Callaghan said that once the applications are approved the club would release a tender for construction work to begin.
"This is a fantastic boost to the sub branch, paving the way forward for rebuilding and allowing us, in conjunction with Anzac House, to release a tender for construction works," he said.
The grant will be used to install air conditioning, kitchen facilities, disabled bathrooms and floor coverings.
Tables and kitchenware will also be purchased with the money.
The past two years had been very painful for veterans and other users of the club, he said.
"The loss of not only the building, but also the memorabilia, had a devastating effect on our members, especially our World War Two veterans.
"Now there is hope."
Minister for Veteran Affairs, Alan Griffin, said RSL clubs are a vital meeting place for local veterans and members of the grater community because they offer a range of activities and helped keep people connected.
"It is important for veterans, war widows, widowers, and their families to become involved in local health and well being activities which take place in facilities like the Broadford RSL across the country," Minister Griffin said.
The grant, an insurance policy and a community fundraising effort will all contribute to the stage one project.
Mr Callaghan said the local community had also played a major role in the effort to rebuild the club after a fundraising appeal was launched in April 2008.
"The number of local businesses and the local people that donated was brilliant," he said.
"We are very grateful."
He said many RSL sub branches also rallied together with the community to donate and estimated that more than $100,000 was raised in the appeal.
Originally the club had hoped to raise $1 million through community donations and by accessing money from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund.
But these efforts were hampered after the Australian Tax Office rejected an application for the club's fundraising appeal to be given a tax deductable status.
Without the tax deductable status the RSL were unable to access money from organisations that offer donations to registered appeals.
Mr Callaghan, who also commended Minister Griffin for his involvement in the project, said that once complete, the new RSL would become a hub for community groups, local organisations and schools.
He said that construction of the new club should see the employment of many local tradespeople.
"We want to make sure that local tradesmen are on board as much as possible."
He said he hoped the new building would be open in time for the 80th anniversary of Broadford RSL in November.
"We hope that we can hold our anniversary in a new hall on November 30," he said.
Mr Callaghan said while the club would not be as big as the branch would have liked, extensions are definitely on the drawing board for the future.
"We will continue to raise money and extend as the funds become available," he said.
If you would like to make a donation to the rebuilding of the Broadford RSL please call 0488 132233 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .