Tweed Heads & Coolangatta Sub Branch Inc.
History
Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch is one of the oldest in Australia, initially being formed in 1918, under the auspices of the Queensland RSL. While the major population in the area then was on the NSW side of the border, in those days travel to Sydney meant a boat trip, so Brisbane was a more practical option.
The first ANZAC Day commemoration in the area was held on 25 April 1916, before the Sub Branch was formalised.
The Sub Branch’s early history was unstable as various local conflicting interests sought to represent the veterans in the area. As a result there were periods when the Sub Branch didn’t function.
The Sub Branch as we know it came to be in 1946, and initially met in the Soldier’s Memorial Hall in Coolangatta.
Over subsequent years, the Sub Branch home moved several times, usually associated with the Services Club which the Sub Branch owned until 1976. There is no longer any commercial link between the Sub Branch and Twin Towns Services Club, although this erroneous perception remains in the community. However Twin Towns is a strong supporter of the Sub Branch.
At its peak the Sub Branch had over 7000 members, but the ravages of time has reduced thai to 630 currently.
services
For most of its existence, the Sub Branch has supplied welfare support to the local veterans. Since around 2000, we have provided structured pension advocacy services and veteran welfare.
The Pension Advocacy service can be accessed by appointment, and will assist any veteran regardless of their location, service or RSL membership status. Currently it is in high demand from younger veterans across Australia and overseas, and has a high success rate in obtaining good outcomes for the veteran.
Wellbeing (welfare) services encompass hospital, nursing home and home visits, telephone welfare checks and transport assistance. A weekly Cake and Company session on Thursday mornings in the ANZAC Room is a chance for veterans to get together.
Several times a year, bus trips are held to a point of interest in SE Qld or Northern NSW. There is a modest fee, and this includes the bus, any entries, morning tea and lunch.
The Sub Branch also holds a large reference library in the ANZAC Room, and it can be accessed in office hours.
members meetings
Members Meetings are held on the last Monday in the month in the ANZAC Room at 12:00 noon (Qld). Guests are welcome, and the meeting concludes with refreshments.
The AGM is held in March each year.
commemorations
The Sub Branch has major commemoration activities for ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day.
ANZAC Day starts with a Dawn Service. Later in the morning there is a march in Tweed Heads followed by a Main Service - typically attended by about 4000 people. These are supported by the local Army Reserve unit (41RNSWR) and Naval Cadets (TS Vampire).
The Sub Branch encourages the participation of the local schools, and about 1,000 children take part in the march and Main Service. Schools also supply the choir and students to deliver addresses as part of the ceremony.
Remembrance Day is commemorated twice - first in Tweed Heads at 11:00 NSW time and then in Coolangatta at 11:00 Qld. This is probably unique.
location etc
The Sub Branch office and ANZAC Room are located on Level 2 of the Mantra Resort Building in Wharf Street, Tweed Heads (yes it is in NSW). There is plentiful parking downstairs - accessed from Stuart Street.
Office Hours are 09:00 - 12:00 (Qld), Monday to Friday.
Phone : (07) 5536 1164 and email is admin@thc-rsl.org.au
Website - www.thc-rsl.org.au - check here for the latest information on events, such as cancellations or rescheduling, and items of interest to veterans.