The traditional Anzac Day march and commemorations hosted by Kogarah RSL Club will go ahead this year even as the club undergoes redevelopment.
Kogarah RSL Club and its development partner Capital Bluestone have made arrangements for Anzac Day services to be held in a new venue to ensure club members and the community can once again pay their respects to Australia’s fallen soldiers.
People wanting to attend the Anzac Day service can gather at the rear of the Kogarah RSL Club from 7am before joining the march at 7.15am down to the cenotaph in Kogarah Park on Jubilee Avenue.
The Anzac Day service will take place at the cenotaph from 7.30am until 8.15am.
The community is then invited to Beverley Park Golf Club for a complimentary breakfast and refreshments, before the traditional two-up starts at 1pm.
Kogarah RSL Club general manager Grant Amer said that it was important for the community to continue to band together in respect of this country’s servicemen and women as the club goes through this period of change.
“The Kogarah RSL may be temporarily closed while we move through our redevelopment to create a wonderful, new club environment, but our Anzac and community spirit remains strong and focused on the most important day of the year for us here,” he said.
“We feel very strongly about continuing to honour the Anzac traditions the club has participated in over the past 60 years.”
The club’s redevelopment plans - which includes a new 2000-square-metre trading, eatery and entertainment floor as well as the 220-apartment project known as Veridian – saw the club shut its doors last year to expedite progress on its plans.
Capital Bluestone managing director Ben Fairfax said Anzac Day was a significant reminder of the important role the RSL plays in the community.
“The regeneration that’s happening now is helping to ensure that Kogarah RSL is able to keep these traditions, like Anzac Day, alive,” he says. “So, it’s imperative that the connection with the community is maintained during this redevelopment phase.”
About 300 people turned out for last year’s march and Mr Amer hopes this year’s event will attract a similar crowd.
