ELLENBROOK RSL sub-branch president Stephen O’Neil recently met with Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard, the City of Swan and other interested parties to discuss the possibility of a permanent home for the sub branch.

Mr O’Neil said the issue had been going on for years, with the current sub branch venue at Charlottes Vineyard Community Centre in Ellenbrook being both temporary and inadequate.

“My vision is to acquire a venue where the accommodation could be shared with the Ellenbrook Scout Group, who have also never had a permanent venue to conduct training or for equipment storage and business,” he said.

“Another group we would welcome to share with is the 500 ACU Ellenbrook cadets.”

He said the new venue would give all of the groups somewhere to belong.

“My wish is that the Ellenbrook sub branch could be assigned a portion of land near the Ellenbrook District Open Space (EDOS).

“This would also enable the storage of items required for the annual ANZAC Dawn Service and the Gunfire Breakfast held after the service.”

He said he hoped the City of Swan could provide a peppercorn lease for the groups using the facility to conduct their community business.

“The City of Swan could also lease a portion of the facility when the assigned community groups do not require it,” Mr O’Neil said.

He said the new facility would need to allow items of equipment, honours awards and memorabilia to be securely housed in areas that prevented unnecessary access to those items.

“We have a vision to establish a venue which will provide our sub branch and the community in general with a place where both the veteran and general community can offer their thoughts, provide donations, and interact with veterans from all types of situations.

“This would allow our sub branch to have a better identity in the community and assist other organisations, cadets and scouts to establish a place they can also call home.”

Swan Hills MLA Michelle Maynard said RSLs were an important part of the Western Australian community, uniting generations through respect, service, and mateship.

“Since being elected eight months ago, I have met numerous times with the RSL sub branch, alongside federal and local governments, to help Ellenbrook RSL find a solution.”

Ms Maynard added the State Government had already committed $230,000 to the Ellenbrook RSL for the construction of a permanent memorial for commemorative services, and she would continue to advocate for the local RSL.

City of Swan Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cain said for many years, the RSL had made major contributions to the Ellenbrook community.

“The City of Swan is pleased to be providing support to improve access to the RSL’s current location.”