Cronulla RSL have launched a new merchandise range, in collaboration with Stanno Australia.

This long-awaited addition brings a fresh and vibrant dimension to our sub-clubs and sporting clubs, with the new online store providing a dedicated space where members can discover and acquire branded club merchandise.

Stanno Australia is a functional, progressive, technical sports brand, that supplies a wide range of superior quality sporting products, from teamwear, and goalkeeping equipment to clothing and sports accessories. Thousands of sporting clubs, schools, and leagues, all across the world, have already developed partnerships with Stanno, purchasing team kits, training wear, clothing and accessories year after year.

Cronulla RSL's exciting launch of the new range in collaboration with Stanno, revolutionises the convenience and accessibility of acquiring club merchandise for its members.

With this innovative platform, members now have the flexibility to browse and select their desired items from the comfort of their own homes via an online store, that offers a seamless and user-friendly experience. Members can also easily customise their chosen items by adding personal touches with the Cronulla RSL, sub-club or sporting group logo.

Southside Malibu Club’s equipment trailer had seen better days. After all the rain experienced during the La Niña, their equipment became wet and mouldy due to the trailer not being water tight. This, coupled with the growing club’s storage needs, President Joe Glendinning decided was time to get an upgrade.

Cronulla RSL proudly supported the upgrade of their existing trailer, including a modification & wrap.

Cronulla RSL regularly support a wide range of activities, projects and programs to help build a stronger community. ‘Many of the Southside Malibu members are also members here at the Club. When we heard about their situation, we didn’t hesitate to help them out’ said Cronulla RSL Community Projects Manager, Natalie Hawkins.

Thanks to the fantastic work of local suppliers Surf ‘N’ Rack & CJ’s Signs, the club now has a water-tight trailer, ready for use for the remainder of their competition season and beyond.

The Trailer will be located on the Esplanade, and can easily be recognsised thanks to the eye-catching graphic design work.

STAFF REPORT: Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival

By Steve Core, Watergrill Restaurant @ Cronulla RSL

FRIDAY - El GUAPO

Day two of the Cronulla Jazz Festival kicked off to a rocking start on Saturday in the Cronulla RSL's Sun Room with a stellar performance by the surf instrumental band 'El Guapo'. Fronted by legendary guitarist, Steve Edmonds, the boys held the receptive crowd captive by cranking out some amazing surf-related tunes on their twanging guitars.

And what a ideal backdrop for a surf band, our Club right on the beach with a salty, beach-drenched back-drop. How perfect.

'El Guapo' in Spanish means... the handsome one. Wearing their Mexican themed masks for the entire 'act', they didn't fool us, we knew exactlt who these talented guys were.

Being an old surfer myself, the boys from 'El Guapo' certainly had my foot tapping through their afternoon set. I managed to grab a few photos, I'll share them here.

Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club can now safely negotiate surf, travel distances and operate in difficult circumstances to return their patients to the beach quickly and safely, thanks to the recent donation from Cronulla RSL, of an outboard motor for their inflatable rescue boat (IRB).

Approximately 20-30% of all ocean rescues, and certainly the most difficult and serious rescues, are performed using the IRB. The IRB is also used for search and rescue operations, and to provide water safety for weekly nippers, Club events and community events.

Cronulla SLSC, formed in 1908, was one of the first surf life saving clubs in Australia. It is one of the longest serving community groups in the Shire, providing a lifesaving service to Cronulla Beach and the surrounding ocean area. It is estimated that lifesavers perform up to ninety rescues per summer season.

70 years ago…May 16 1953, Cronulla RSL was officially opened by the Governor of NSW.

Last night we held our Annual General Meeting. We celebrated Janet Kent’s Life Membership, the successful election of John Brown as President, and Director’s John Van Voorst and Peter Kerr retained their positions on the Board.

We will be celebrating our 70th birthday all through June until the end of August.
Stay tuned for what’s coming up!

Cronulla RSL have been announced a winner of the 2023 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards, in the ‘Heart of the Community’ category.

The Heart of the Community Award recognises the outstanding efforts of clubs that have had a significant positive impact on their community by contributing to and/or improving the social, cultural, financial or environmental wellbeing of the community.

The Club’s nomination “No Dog Left Behind” was based on these club’s fundraising efforts to support the Australian War Animal Memorial Organsiation (AWAMO) and the Sutherland Shire’s local Veteran War Dog, . In addition, Cronulla RSL was recognised as the first RSL club in NSW to establish an AWAMO supported memorial plaque for war animals and the first club in Australia to provide a retired war veteran dog club membership.

All finalist’s stories were reviewed by an independent panel of judges, who scored the nominations based on a judging criteria. Judges for 2023 included Gemma Rygate (CEO The Centre for Volunteering), Nathan Hindmarsh (ClubsNSW Ambassador), Louise Roberts (National Editor 360 Commercial for News Corp Australia) & Steve Pearce (CEO Surf Life Saving NSW).

Winners of the awards were announced at the 2023 Clubs & Community Awards Night, held in Sydney on the 18th May.

Cronulla CRSL CEO, Sue McNeill said ‘Manic has been coming to our club for the past three ANZAC Days, and has become really well known in our community. It would be great to see the other retired military war dogs be looked after too; the club’s industry is the perfect place for that to happen’

‘The club would like to thank the Cronulla RSL Board of Directors & the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch, for their support in helping us place a great emphasis on this cause. We must also acknowledge our incredible staff, who work tirelessly and passionately behind the scenes, to bring our ideas to life.’

‘A very special thank you Manic’s family, as they have allowed us to put the spotlight on Manic to help tell the story. Manic has become an ambassador for all working dogs, animals impacted by war & AWAMO’ said McNeill.

Because of the typical age of military working dog’s retirement, the people who take on responsibility for veteran dogs are unable to take out pet insurance to help with the costs of their veterinary care. Unfortunately, many of the significant health costs come at the end of a dog’s life. This can be a significant impost on those that have given our military working dogs their retirement home.

AWAMO are currently working tirelessly to support and provide much-needed food, medication, and ground support to those helping the innocent animals of Ukraine suffering through conflict via their sub-branch, Australian Animal Aid.

‘We hope that our efforts encourage other clubs to support their local service dog, and get behind AWAMO’ McNeill said.

To help inspire organisations such as clubs and schools around Australia, to commemorate War Animal Day on February 24th each year, Cronulla RSL have established a helpful downloadable guide, to assist staff with implementing the special day in their commemorative calendar. This also includes a template letter, for individuals to use to approach their local club about supporting animals impacted by war.

The Club will now work with AWAMO to help identify the location of other retired Military Working Dogs, and encourage their local club to provide support.

Cronulla RSL was also nominated for an award in the ‘Arts & Culture’ category, which recognises clubs empowering and developing arts and culture in the community, including supporting artists and performers, celebrating Indigenous culture, and helping provide public programming such as festivals, events, music, film, performing arts, and the presentation of literature.

The “Walk the Walls” nomination focused on The Club’s sponsorship of the Sutherland Shire Council’s Cronulla Walk the Walls Festival, and the transformation of the club’s car park wall in an effort to beautify our urban space, reduce crime and support artists.

For more information on
Memorial Garden https://cronullarsl.com.au/cronulla-rsl-community/memorialgarden
Fundraising 2023 https://cronullarsl.com.au/cronulla-rsl-community/anzacday23
Fundraising 2022 https://cronullarsl.com.au/cronulla-rsl-community/anzacdayfundraising
War Animal Day https://cronullarsl.com.au/cronulla-rsl-community/war-animal-day-23 https://www.cronullarslcommunity.com.au/waranimalday

War Animal Day Guide https://www.cronullarslcommunity.com.au/waranimaldayguide

To help inspire organisations such as clubs and schools around Australia, to commemorate War Animal Day on February 24th each year, Cronulla RSL have established a helpful downloadable guide, to assist staff with implementing the special day in their commemorative calendar.

In 2019 Minister Scott Buchholz announced in Federal parliament that the 24th February would be Australia's official War Animal Day. Australia joins other countries, including the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in officially recognising the deeds and sacrifices of our war animals serving alongside our troops, with their own day of remembrance.

Animals have been put to many uses in war; serving as transport, beasts of burden, messengers, protectors, mascots, and pets. They have played an important part in all wars in which Australians have been involved. This day, Purple Poppy Day, helps us reflect on the deeds and sacrifices made by animals in conflict and here on our own shores.

In 2023, Cronulla RSL recognised National War Animal Day, and the important roles that animals have and continue to play in war and on our own shores. A special memorial service was held at the Club’s Memorial Garden.

Cronulla RSL fundraising activities on ANZAC Day 2023, have raised $7,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & Veteran Service Animals.

Members & guests gathered on the club’s bowling green, for a great day of two-up, with all proceeds from the day being donated to AWAMO’s current initiatives and local retired veteran war dog, Manic.

Proceeds from Two-Up held at Cronulla RSL on ANZAC Day, will be donated to the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & local veteran war dog, Manic.

AWAMO is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation made up of community members from diverse backgrounds, that have the likeminded aim to recognize the deeds of animals during Australian military service, and to educate generations to follow of the sacrifices of four legged diggers have made.

They are currently working tirelessly to support and provide much-needed food, medication, and ground support to those helping the innocent animals of Ukraine suffering through conflict via their sub-branch, Australian Animal Aid.

In 2022, Australian Animal Aid arranged a shipping container of supplies to be hand delivered by their team to the frontline. In 2023, they hope to visit once again, this time with a team of engineers, to help construct dog kennels for 2,000 displaced dogs. In addition, they hope to purchase heaters, generators, horse blankets and other items to assist the local organisations keep our four-legged friends warm as the area heads into winter later this year. Funds raised from ANZAC Day activities will help AWAMO on this mission.

Funds raised will help support the Club’s first honorary four-legged member, Manic. Manic was a special operations military working, who served in Iraq and on Tactical Assault Group East (TAGE) and retired from service in 2020. Manic has been helping us spread the word about the fantastic work or AWAMO, and to help us commemorate War Animal Day (Purple Poppy Day). Funds raised will help Manic’s family cover expenses relating to food & veterinary costs.

Guests can also pick up an ANZAC treat for their four-legged friend at the club, with all proceeds being donated to AWAMO & Manic. The treats have been kindly donated by Pooch Treats.

In 2022, Cronulla RSL donated over $15,000 to support the efforts of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) & Veteran Service Animals.

For more information on AWAMO visit their website and be sure to follow them on social media.

Southside Malibu Club recently took to the waters of Bate Bay in fresh new Rashies, supplied by Ohana, and Australian made local brand.

The new Rashies are thanks to a donation from Cronulla RSL.

The club will soon be benefitting from an equipment trailer upgrade, also supported by the Club.

Established in 1984, Southside Malibu Club is Southern Sydney’s leading longboard club. Based in Cronulla and affiliated with Surfing Sutherland Shire, it provides its members with a friendly yet competitive surfing environment.

Keep an eye out for the colour surfers this weekend, as they head out for their April round on April 2nd.

Cronulla RSL are proud to be the major partner of the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival in 2023.

Presented by Shire Events Live, Code One Music, Cronulla Chamber of Commerce & Brass Monkey, the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival is a free event staged across multiple locations in Cronulla from the 1-4th June. Guests can enjoy live music in public parks, in-venue live music, beer & wine bars, a film festival, kid's events and food & retail stalls

Cronulla RSL will be hosting in-venue live music from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th June.

Cronulla RSL CEO Sue McNeill says ‘the Cronulla Jazz & Blues Festival is a fantastic community initiative; Not only does it bring people together to enjoy our incredible suburb, it also helps promote the live music industry showcasing some incredible talent.’

Since the events inception, in 2021, Cronulla RSL have been big supporters of the event.

‘Cronulla RSL regularly support a wide range of activities, projects and programs to help build a stronger community. The Jazz and Blues Festival provides so many benefits to our local community of Cronulla, not just entertaining by our members, but also supporting our local economy.’ McNeill said.

‘Becoming major partner this year was important to us, as we see this event as a valuable fixture in our suburb’s calendar; supporting the festival allows the club to give back & help grow the community of Cronulla.’

The Festival has partnered with Plastic Free Cronulla, and will be a single-use plastic free event.

Grab your friends, sit back and relax to the bluesy tunes or have a dance to the eclectic beats with a weekend filled with live music.

More information on artists and set times, coming soon!

Cronulla RSL have been announced as a finalist in the 2023 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards.

The Clubs & Community Awards recognise the outstanding social contributions made by clubs in their local communities. In 2023, ClubsNSW received over 120 submissions across the 9 categories of awards.

Over the years, ClubsNSW have heard thousands of stories from their members about the amazing relationships clubs have both with individuals and groups within their local communities. The Clubs & Community Awards is an opportunity to share the stories, and celebrate them.

Cronulla RSL are finalists in two categories in 2023;

On Friday 24th February Cronulla RSL recognised National War Animal Day, and the important roles that animals have and continue to play in war. A special memorial service was held at the Club’s Memorial Garden.

In 2019 Minister Scott Buchholts announced in Federal parliament that the 24th February would be Australia's official war animal day. Cronulla RSL are one of the first clubs in NSW to hold a War Animal Day service, to encourage the community to think not only about our soldiers who gave their lives in war, but also spare a thought for the four-legged and winged heroes that fought and died alongside our troops.

The service was attended by The Hon. Mark Speakman, NSW Attorney General & Member for Cronulla, Mayor Carmelo Pesce & Cnr Leanne Farmer of Sutherland Shire Council, Chief Inspector Craig James & Superintendent Julian Griffiths of the NSW Police Force Dog & Mounted Command, the Directors of Cronulla RSL and the Committee of the Cronulla RSL Sub-Branch. Students from Woolooware High School, De La Salle Caringbah & Cronulla High School also paid their respects.

Local retired Military Working Dog, Manic and furry members of the NSW Police force (horses General & Prince and dogs Casper & Grug) were in attendance to pay tribute to their fellow four-legged and winged hero friends. Manic served in Iraq on Tactical Assault Group East. He assisted in training the forces deployed in Iraq, by providing early warning adversary hunt and detection, plus assault capabilities.

Animals have been put to many uses in war. Serving as transport, beasts of burden, messengers, protectors, mascots, and pets. They have played an important part in all wars in which Australians have been involved. It is estimated that more than 8 million animals died in WW1 alone: 400,000 horses left our Australian shore - only one was allowed to return home. 20,000 dogs, 200,000 pigeons, camels, mules, donkeys and even insects all played their part in battle.

On our own shores, many agencies still use animals like Casper, Grug, Prince & General to perform duties in our police and border force, such as patrols, special operations, parades & escorts. Our police dogs are amongst the best trained in the world, crucially important in the detection of drug, firearms/explosives and human remains.

The Chief Executive Officer of Cronulla RSL, Sue McNeill commented, “local veterans have educated us on the courage of animals who have served their country and the peace they have fought hard to achieve. It is only fitting that we commemorate our service animals on this day, acknowledging the sacrifices they too have made.”

Cronulla RSL are proud to be major sponsors of the Sutherland Shire Council’s Australia Day celebrations.

The three day program across the Sutherland Shire includes events reflective of the Australia Day Council theme: Reflect, Respect, Celebrate.

Commencing with a sunset cultural ceremony and including major concerts, outdoor cinemas and pool parties at our Leisure Centres, Sutherland Shire Council are delivering an epic entertainment program for our community over three days

The Cronulla RSL Sub Branch have coordinated conservation work on the the Cronulla War Memorial in Monro Park. Thanks to partial funding through a grant ($10,000) from the Community War Memorials Fund from the NSW Office for Veteran Affairs, the memorial will undergo cleaning, wreath repair, paving repointing and the replacement of metal plaques.

The original plaques will be preserved by the sub-branch as memorabilia.
Cronulla War Memorial commemorates Australian servicemen and women who have served in all wars and conflicts.

Skillz4me held their Wave Warriors event at Wanda Beach this weekend.

Created in partnership with Cronulla Surfing Academy, this event allow families who have a child with a disability the opportunity to go to the beach and have a surf experience in a fun and supportive environment.

A visit to the beach for children with a disability is a complex task; unfortunately it is an activity that most families rarely undertake. The Ocean Wave Warriors event provides these families access to specialty equipment (such as a mobi-chair, which cost in excess of $5,000) and peace of mind that there are experienced helpers on-hand to take their child safely into the water.

For most participants, the Wave Warriors event provides the only opportunity to access the water or ride on a surfboard at the beach. For some, it is their first time.

Cronulla RSL are proud to support this event, and hope to be able to engage our surfing community to help make this opportunity a regular occurrence for families in our area who have a child with moderate to severe disability.

The Cronulla Crays program is designed to teach children between the ages of 5 and 13 years of age, the fundamentals of surf beach and open water safety.

Being a competent swimmer is a critical part of water safety. To help encourage the development of this core skill, Cronulla Crays facilitate a structured learn to swim program as part of the children’s surf awareness and life saving education. Delivered in partnership with Cronulla Beach Swim School, the “Learn 2 Swim” classes are aimed at the youngest members in the U6 & U7 age groups.

The Crays are the only club in the Bate Bay area to offer this essential learning to 150 to 200 nippers every summer. Cronulla RSL are proud to support the Learn 2 Swim program in 2022/2023.

“Supporting the Crays swimming program means we are providing the youngest members of our community an opportunity to develop life-long skills’ says Sue McNeill, Cronulla RSL CEO.

Cronulla RSL will be once again supporting local schools through their ‘School Grants Scheme’, designed to assist local students further their academic, sporting, or artistic endeavours.

The School Grant Scheme enables schools to provide selected students with scholarships to help fund extracurricular activities.

Since it’s inception in 2012, the Scheme has donated $65,000 to students in the Cronulla area through the ClubsGRANTS program.

This year a total of $7,400 scholarships has been awarded to students across 9 schools. These schools include;

• Burraneer Bay Public School

• Cronulla High School

• Cronulla Primary School

• Cronulla South Public School

• De La Salle Cronulla

• Kurnell Public School

• St Aloysius Primary School

• St Francis De Sales Primary School

• Woolooware High School

Cronulla RSL Directors will be presenting scholarships to the selected students at school end of year celebrations over the remaining weeks of the school term.

The School Grant Scheme helps ensure the development of our community members and to help us all to work towards building a more progressive society.

Cronulla RSL’s support of the community is ingrained in the way they conduct business. They work with schools, local sporting clubs, volunteer groups & charitable organisations who in turn support our local Sutherland Shire region.  Providing support helps sustain the region and helps it to grow.  

Walk the Walls is coming back to Cronulla! From 9-11th December, there will be 30 artists painting large, medium and small walls around Cronulla, adding to the existing art trail in the area.

The festival will be targeting ‘problem walls’ that are frequently tagged, in a bid to minimise vandalism and increase beautification of our public spaces.

Renowned street artist Tim Phibs, who is project manager and curator for the festival, hopes it will ‘promote the importance of public art in our urban spaces as well as the positive impact it can have in our community’. Works will feature stories about country from first nation artists, portraits, pattern making and traditional graffiti.

Walk the Walls will also be supporting established and emerging artists, by creating opportunities to paint their beautiful work around the area. This industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cronulla RSL are supporting the festival once again this year, with the addition of their car park wall being transformed. The wrap around wall (adjacent to The Esplanade & Cronulla Park) is frequently tagged with graffiti.  A mural has been painted on the Club’s wall by Phibs and other talented street artists Ashley Johnston, Paul Riot & Brode Compton.

The foursome have created a site-specific mural with coastal themes and a nod to our ANZAC Diggers. Working together over one week, they have created one large harmonious piece which features wildlife, marine life and landscape familiar to Cronulla. Some of the elements included are the Green & Golden Bell Treefrog, Board Billed Sand Piper & Eastern Blue Groper.

This wall is the first of the 2022 Walk the Walls festival walls to be produced, and has already created interest and a buzz around town for the main event in December.

‘Overall we have had a very positive response from the general community. We are excited to create a giant outdoor gallery, for anyone and everyone to experience.’ said Phibs. Phibs likens art to “…food and music. Everyone is going to have a different taste. We have tried to select a large diverse mix of different styles to showcase throughout the festival.”

The Cronulla RSL wall is on display 24hours a day. The remainder of the artworks can be viewed by following the art trail around Cronulla 9-11th December (details to be released).

For more information about the Cronulla RSL wall, the inspiration and the artists visit https://www.cronullarslcommunity.com.au/walkthewalls

For more information about Walk the Walls, visit https://www.instagram.com/walkthewallsfestival/?hl=en

Congratulations to Cory Rinaldi (Sub-Branch President) & Janet Kent (55s & Over Club President) for receiving a Cook Community Award.

The annual Cook Community Awards provides the opportunity for people to be recognised for their contribution and selfless service in the community. The awards are given to volunteers actively involved in community groups, those who are working to better the environment in which we live or those who are simply “giving back” in our Cook community.

Both Cory & Janet have selflessly helped our members and have contributed greatly to our club.