Members of the Rose Bay RSL club have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Merivale taking over the operation of their beloved club after its sudden closure last year.
RSL club have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Merivale taking over the operation of their beloved club after its sudden closure last year. The club, a vital part of the Rose Bay community, closed its doors in August 2024 and left staff without jobs after going into receivership with significant debt.
A Community Rallies
The Rose Bay RSL’s closure shocked many, especially after the recent launch of its new bistro, Villagio. However, the community has shown strong support for the club’s revival. An extraordinary general meeting on Saturday, 18 January, saw a massive turnout of members eager to secure the club’s future. The vote to bring in Merivale, the hospitality group led by Justin Hemmes, passed with 147 votes in favour and only one against. Club Rose Bay president John Bax said the high attendance demonstrated the importance of the club to the local community.
Merivale Steps In
The club’s board, administrators, and creditors carefully considered partnering with Merivale. Merivale will become a service provider, managing the food and beverage operations, but it will not own any of the club’s assets or have control over its governance. Memberships, discounts, and the role of the board will remain unchanged.
Mr Bax stated that Merivale’s success in providing affordable, high-quality food and beverages at venues like the SCG and Allianz Stadium made it a top choice to revitalise the Rose Bay club. He expressed his excitement about reopening the club in the coming months and strengthening its ties with the community and sporting clubs.
Honouring the Past, Securing the Future
Justin Hemmes emphasised Merivale’s commitment to supporting the Rose Bay RSL sub-branch and its members. He stated that Merivale would preserve and enhance the club’s rich history and war memorial, ensuring it remains a vital part of the community for future generations. The plan includes refurbishing the RSL and improving its war legacy displays.
The final hurdle is regulatory approval, which is expected in the coming weeks. If granted, this will be the first RSL club in Merivale’s portfolio of over 70 venues. Importantly for members, prices at the club are expected to remain in line with those of other RSLs in the area.
Published Date 20-Jan-2025
