The Payneham RSL Sub-Branch Inc was established in 1938 by World War I veterans from the Payneham and surrounding areas. The original meetings were held under the bandstand at the Payneham Oval. The catalyst for the formation of the club was need to ease the pressure on the St Peters club because of an ever increasing membership. As can be expected, the club grew in size and membership after the c
onclusion of the Second World War. A women's committee was established at about the same time and the now renamed Womens Auxiliary remains as a viable organisation to this day. The original club rooms consisted of a shop on the present site. The existing club rooms were built in three stages mainly by volunteers and this is a tradition we follow, wherever possible, to improve or maintain the buildings and other assets. The club was incorporated in 1969 and currently has approximately 220 financial members of which 145 are veterans or have other military service. In the past year or so our membership has increased with the introduction of some younger veterans from such conflicts as Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq and these members have begun a revitalisation of the club and, in conjunction with the older members, are planning the club’s future direction. To this end we have organised a sub-committee to put in place a business plan, long-term strategies as well as some short-term strategies to attempt to attract a growing membership, especially among younger veterans and their families and the socially isolated among veterans of all ages. To ensure the viability of the club, and to widen the scope of activities and outlook for members, we are also looking to broaden our membership. Membership of the club is not restricted to current or former members of the military but is open to the general public. Likewise the club is open to the general public to use at any time the club rooms are open. Also our hall is available for hire to the general public at reasonable rates. For the past five years the club, through its volunteers, has organised and run a "Club 360" luncheon on the third Wednesday of the month which includes a low-cost meal and allows for social interaction among older members of the club as well as other socially-isolated members of the local community. We are in the process of expanding this luncheon to include some entertainment and it is to this end that we have been applying for government grants so that we can cater for all. It is hoped that we may be able to attract a greater number of the local population to these functions to provide greater social interaction for more people.
