Belmont RSL Club

Child Places

• 15630 Belmont RSL Sub Branch War Memorial

Statement of Significance

• The buildings and facilities together with the memorial, form a cohesive grouping and are a landmark in the streetscape.
• The place has value for its association with the provision of services from the Belmont Sub Branch of the RSL since 1929.
• The place has value for its association with the RAAF based in Perth during World War Two as the original building was one of the Nissen Huts used for their accomodation.
• The place is valued by the RSL community for the role it plays in hosting gatherings and providing support to its members and their families.
• The original portion of the premises, a Nissen hut dating from World War Two may provide further information about this type of structure.

Physical Description

The RSL is located on a site which includes the clubrooms, a memorial, car park and bowling green.

The RSL building itself has a blank elevation to Leake and a highly activated frontage overlooking the bowling green. This elevation is part of the later 1980s addition and consists of a regular rhythm of openings to the majority of the elevation together with a contrasting rendered entry section to the corner.

The War Memorial is located at the south eastern side of the driveway entrance, consisting of a brick enclosure with tapered top edge. The Memorial consists of flagpole, plaques, rock with memorial plaque and “Lest We Forget” on the wall.

The Memorial is not old but is significant in terms of function for remembering the local men and women who gave their lives for their country.

History

A sub branch of the Returned Services League was set up in Belmont in 1929 and the early meetings were held in the bakery of Fred Corlett. The League was given a Government lease of a block of land on Guildford Road but regulations restricted construction on the lot so meetings were held at the Belmont Hall.

After World War Two, the Belmont RSL were able to swap the land on Guildford Road for the site in Leake Street. In 1958, the RSL were able to purchase one of the Nissen Huts which had previously been erected at the Guildford airport. The hut was purchased from the Air Force for £170 and was formerly the RAAF Sergeants' Mess and later part of the migrant hostel.

While the site was made ready the hut was stored and modified. The hall was subsequently erected on the Leake Street property through the efforts of the members and with the support of the Belmont Roads Board. It is probable the original Nissen Hut has been incorporated into the hall structure. The hall was opened on 5 December 1959 by W.S. Lonnie, State President of the RSL. This hall served as the premises until c1986 when extensive alterations were carried out to the Belmont RSL Sub-branch with the assistance of a $110,000 grant from the City of Belmont.

These works included the addition of a new building adjoining the original hall, parking, bowling green and the flag pole and memorial at the entrance to the property. A new façade was constructed across the original hall to incorporate the new structure with the existing building.

The public War Memorial for the City of Belmont is located in Faulkner Park and the small memorial at this location is for members and their families and friends.
The City of Belmont Sub-Branch continues to be an active organisation for their members and the community.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.