The Club

Do You Know Who Runs the RSL?

When most people hear “the RSL,” they think of diggers, medals, ANZAC Day, and veterans gathering for remembrance and support. That’s the RSL Sub-Branch — the heart and soul of the original Returned Services League.

But here’s the truth:
Today’s Forestville RSL Club is a separate legal and financial entity from the Sub-Branch.

Over the decades, many RSL Clubs across NSW gradually took over the physical premises, facilities, and operations once run by the Sub-Branches. While Sub-Branches are not-for-profit associations dedicated to veteran welfare, Clubs are licensed venues that operate as commercial businesses, generating revenue primarily through gaming, alcohol sales, and food service.

In Forestville, the Sub-Branch still exists — but it no longer controls the land, the building, or the decisions being made about the future of this site. That power now lies with the Club and its Board of Directors.

While some Club board members are members of the Sub-Branch, key decisions are ultimately made by the Club board as a corporate entity — not by the Sub-Branch.

RSL Sub-Branch

Vs

RSL Club

Who Owns the RSL Club?

In Principle: The Members

Most RSL Clubs in NSW — including Forestville RSL — are registered clubs under the Registered Clubs Act 1976 (NSW). That means:

The club is owned collectively by its members.
Members do not hold shares, but the club exists for their benefit.
Assets (including land and buildings) are held in trust for the club’s purpose — which originally centred on supporting returned servicemen and the local community.

In Practice: The Board Controls the Assets

While ownership is technically collective, practical control rests with the Club’s Board of Directors, who:

Manage club finances and operations.
Decide whether to redevelop, lease, or dispose of property.
Are expected to act in the best interests of the membership and the club's charter.

This is where the disconnect often arises:

Members “own” the club — but can be excluded from critical decisions unless those decisions require a formal vote.

Member Ownership

Vs

Board Control

Remember...
The Club belongs to the MEMBERS

A timely reminder...

The Club Was Built on Service — Not Real Estate

Forestville RSL Club was born out of gratitude and community spirit. After World War II, returned servicemen settled in Forestville — many building their homes with their own hands, forging a tight-knit neighbourhood built on mateship and shared sacrifice.

The land on which the club now stands was granted with a clear purpose:

To provide a gathering place for returned veterans.
To support the physical and mental wellbeing of those who had served.
To offer a permanent home for remembrance, camaraderie, and community.

Across Australia, RSLs weren’t just clubs. They were lifelines. Built to help veterans transition into civilian life. To create a “home base” for honour, reflection, and support — not for pokies, property sales, or excessive profit.

Forestville RSL has carried this mission for generations.
ANZAC Day here isn’t just a tradition — it’s sacred.

This redevelopment doesn’t modernise that mission.