About Us

Towards the end of the Great War in mid-1918, the Mildura RSSILA (Returned Soldiers & Sailors Imperial League of Australia) purchased 3 blocks of land at the present Madden Avenue site and erected their first building, a temporary structure intended for billiards, darts etc. Its size limited the type of functions—larger gatherings were usually held at the Shire Hall in Deakin Avenue.

In December 1919, the President of the Sub Branch, George Picton, received their official Charter from the RSSILA.

Regardless, some members said that; ’The Madden Avenue site was too far from the centre of town!’ Thus a further possible site considered was corner of Deakin Avenue and Seventh Street. It was to include shops and accommodation facilities. Application was made to the Lands Department for a grant of the land but this was rejected. Therefore, in 1920 the Committee purchased another property at corner of Langtree Avenue and Tenth Street. A date was set to lay the foundation stone on Anzac Day 1921. For reasons not recorded, this never eventuated.

The Soldiers Memorial Hall in Madden Avenue was completed and officially opened in November 1924. A new building was constructed in 1937 and further extended in 1939. A shop was included in the plan, also a sleep-out for the caretaker.

Membership rose to 570 in 1920 but fell to 142 by 1925. This was due to the establishment of Sub Branches at Red Cliffs and Merbein etc. By the mid 1930’s only 70 members were registered.

In 1946, the President A.J.Rice announced plans for a completely new club building. One issue was the need for a larger site to accommodate the proposed building with sufficient car parking. This led to much debate about building on the site or relocating. At least eight alternative options were put forward revealing the conflict and uncertainty within the membership. The road to the final decision stretched on. The breakthrough came in 1948 when the adjoining property in Madden Avenue became available and was purchased. Post WW2 membership rose to 963 in 1947.

In April 1951 the old building had been demolished. The foundation stone for the new building was dedicated in that November by Federal President of the RSL Mr G.W.Holland. Much of the construction was done by working bees and overseen by Neil Noyce. It was the first RSL club in Victoria to have air-conditioning. The design of the building also provided for a future second level. The path to the new licensed facility lay between strict licensing Laws of the State Government and the demands of the RSL State Branch. Two separate committees were created to deal with the complexities of the respective authorities.

The building was eventually finished by 1954 but too late for the Queen to officially open it during her visit in March. It was thus officially opened by Lt Governor Sir Edmund Herring in July 1954. The Licensing Permit was issued in mid 1955 and officially launched in that September.

In 1968, the function/bingo room was added. A major up-grade in 1989 included a new kitchen, snooker room, bar and bottle shop, toilets and lounge upgrade.

A succession of capable managers viz; Bob Wynn, Jack Calnan and Kim Archibald have ensured ongoing viability and success over the years.

The introduction of poker machines in 1992 was a major turning point in the future of the club. It ushered in a new era for the Mildura RSL and gave way to the demands of modern business ethos. In recent years additional major renovations have continued to improve the facilities of the Sub Branch