Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Avon Region - Beverley Sub Branch

Beverley is located in the Avon region of Western Australia and is one of the oldest settlements in Western Australia.  With a population of 1700, the main industry in Beverley is agriculture.

The Beverley RSL Sub Branch is one of the oldest sub branches in Western Australia with mention of the sub branch being made in the Beverley Times as early as 1918.  In 1940, the sub branch was gifted the White Hart Hotel on Forrest Ave and the surrounding land.  The Hotel was built in 1904 and was in a deteriorating condition when gifted to the sub branch.

In 1954, due to the condition of the building, the sub branch elected to remove the top level to save the building from being condemned.  Over the years it became difficult to maintain the building and meetings were often held at other locations in the town.  It wasn't until 2001 that work started on major renovations to the building and the work was completed in 2003.


Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Avon Region - Toodyay Sub Branch

The Toodyay Sub Branch is one of our oldest sub branches of the League with mention of the sub branch printed in the Toodyay Herald in early 1919.  Within the community the sub branch worked with other organisations such as the Red Cross and the Welcome Home Committee after WWI to support veterans and their families.  Toodyay was active in fundraising and working towards supporting community needs such as improvements to the Toodyay Hospital and relief funding for those affected by bushfires.  Prior to WWII, the sub branch did decline with a drop in membership and it wasn't until 1944 that the sub branch renewed its activities.  

In 1948, Toodyay sub branch purchased a block of land in the main street of town with the intention of building a hall which would serve as a memorial to those who served in WWII.  In 1957 the sub branch donated its building fund to the Toodyay Road Board for much needed renovations to the Town Hall.  The donation was conditional on the sub branch being able to use the Hall and for the Hall to be renamed Toodyay Memorial Hall.  With the building fund donated, the sub branch further donated the land purchased in 1948 to the Toodyay Road Board to be set aside as park land for the use of the community, the park was named Newcastle Park. 

Toodyay sub branch today continues to play an active role in the community, organising ANZAC Day Services and other events throughout the year.  Today the sub branch meets at the Bowling Club and has an active membership.