The RSL wants Georges River Council to jointly seek funding for a historical study into the significance of the Kogarah War Memorial Pool, popularly known as the Carss Park Pool.
The pool was closed permanently by the council on July 23 last year.
RSL Southern Metropolitan District Council president Gary Mawson has written to the council seeking its support for a joint application for funding under the NSW Community War Memorials Fund.
The funding is to engage a qualified historian to study and document the historical and cultural significance of Kogarah War Memorial Pool.
The RSL has requested the proposed demolition of Kogarah War Memorial Pool be halted until the study is completed.
"The Kogarah War Memorial Pool opened in 1965 and a significant proportion of the funds to establish the pool were raised and donated by RSL members to honour the service men and women of St George," Mr Mawson said in his letter to the council..
"On October 12, 2020 the Southern Metropolitan District Council of the RSL resolved to write to Georges River Council informing it of the following:
. That the RSL's Southern Metropolitan District Council acknowledges that Kogarah RSL sub-Branch are the custodians of the legacy of remembrance and guardians of the Kogarah War Memorial Pool at Carss Park.
. That prior to a discussion of a replacement War Memorial, the historical and cultural significance of the existing Kogarah War Memorial Pool must be studied and documented by a qualified historian.
. Funding for this study is available from the NSW Office of Veterans Affairs as the pool is listed on the NSW Government's Register of War Memorials.
. That the Kogarah RSL sub-Branch (as custodians of the legacy of the pool) together with GRC (as the landowner on behalf of the community), should jointly apply for funding under the Community War Memorials Fund for this study
. That the funds be used to engage NSW's leading historian, commemoration and memorials advisor Dr Darren Mitchell to complete the study.
. That the proposed demolition of Kogarah War Memorial Pool be halted until the study is completed."
Applications for Round 2 of the Community War Memorials Fund open on Remembrance Day November 11, 2020.
"On behalf of all RSL Members in the St George district, I look forward to your Council's favourable response," Mr Mawson said.