In Focus: Special Judges’ Award

Special Judges’ Award: Coledale RSL

Coledale RSL was founded in 1948, providing a space for veterans and their families to meet and socialise, and very much became the heartbeat of the local community.

Sadly, the Club struggled financially following the COVID-19 pandemic and made the heartbreaking decision to close the doors in December 2022.

A summer without the beloved Club stirred the community to rally together to reopen the doors with a new volunteer-run model to welcome a younger demographic back to the venue.

The Club is now a thriving community hub, with 84 volunteers ranging from ages 18 to 88, providing a space for locals to come together and socialise.

The Clubs & Community Awards judging panel was so moved by the community’s efforts to save their beloved club that they bestowed Coledale RSL with a Special Judges’ Award.

“We asked the community for help and they rallied around the Club and we went with the volunteer model because that’s what it was going to take to save our precious 75-year-old club,” said Coledale RSL President Melissa Ellery.

“It’s given us more than what we ever anticipated. It’s given us new friendships, it’s given us a place that we feel very proud of and it’s working very well a year on.”

Melissa said receiving the Special Judges’ Award and being recognised by the industry was very humbling for the entire community.

“Coledale is a small community and so to go up to Sydney and to win a nice prize and to know that people everywhere, not just within our Wollongong or Coledale community, think that that’s something special, we’re really proud of it,” she said.

“To bring it and take it back home, I think that’s the world, so thank you to ClubsNSW for helping us to celebrate everybody’s love for our community and our club.”