Merimbula RSL Farewells Long-Serving Manager After 40 Years in the Club Industry

Michael’s final shift on 12 November and then a low key farewell on 1 December marked the end of a career defined by resilience, steady leadership and an unwavering commitment to community.

Michael started his club career in 1985 at the Albury Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Club. At the time, the Club was heavily patroned by interstate visitors - up to seven buses were parked in the carpark on any given weekend - because poker machines were still banned in Victoria. 

His early career was far from uneventful — including his first bomb scare. Michael reflects on the moment with disbelief:

“It’s hard to fathom that the police decided not to evacuate the Club immediately… They sent myself and a colleague off to search one area of the Club while they searched another.” 

Fortunately, no bomb was found. 

After moves to Robertson Bowling Club and then Merimbula RSL in 1996, Michael became Secretary Manager the following year. His first day was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons — armed robbers had taken almost $40,000 the day before.

“It was a dramatic beginning to what has been an eventful 30 years as Secretary Manager.”

Throughout his tenure Michael navigated challenging periods, including the decline of regional Clubs after Victorian poker machine legalisation, a proposed amalgamation with Merimbula-Imlay Bowling Club, and the industry-wide pressures of closures between 2011 and 2015.

In 2014, the Club held the largest general meeting in its history, with 709 members voting on the proposed merger.

“At the end of the day, our members voted against the amalgamation, and the board and management respected their wishes.”

Under Michael’s stewardship, Merimbula RSL underwent two major renovations, strengthened its ClubGRANTS support and continued to evolve as a social hub for the Bega Valley.

The Club also pulled together as an emergency evacuation centre during the summer bushfires in January 2020, followed closely by COVID in March 2020, with multiple closures until business got back to normal in 2021.

“I always say that Merimbula RSL is the heart of this community, and it has been a privilege to be part of this Club family for the past 30 years.”