Coledale RSL wins NSW Club Volunteer of the Year

The Coledale RSL Club has won NSW Club Volunteer of the Year after a 12-month turnaround that saw the club go from nearly closing to thriving.

The announcement was made at the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, which celebrate the work and impact of volunteers in New South Wales.

Volunteers across seven award categories were announced at a gala ceremony in Sydney on 11 December, attended by more than 300 community, business and political leaders, with Coledale RSL the Illawarra’s only winner.

On its Facebook page, the club thanked “all those who volunteer and those that continue to turn up, partner with us and keep this little but mighty club going”.

“Big shout out to everyone who volunteers in our community,” it read.

After 75 years, the essential service almost closed its doors, but thanks to the 40-plus volunteers who answered a call for help, it is now back in action more than one year later.

Today, it boasts a workforce of more than 80 volunteers.

Last year, the club told Region that the board had gone out to its member base to float the idea of a volunteer-run establishment.

Club secretary Greg Todd said the response was unexpected.

“I’d have been satisfied with 30 or 40 initially, but we had about 50 people put their hand up,” Greg said.

He said they trained 31 volunteers in its first responsible service of alcohol class held onsite, with more volunteers continuing to join after that.

Coledale RSL has been in its location near Coledale Beach since 1948.

“It was largely dedicated to the locals,” Greg said.

“It’s got a lot of history of the locals being involved since its beginning. And once again, that community has stepped up in a big way to revive it.

“To me, this is us returning it to what it was originally intended – run by and for the community. This is a community project now.”

The 2024 awards, run by the Centre for Volunteering, acknowledged the efforts of thousands of nominees throughout the state.

ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said they were proud to be a principal partner with the Centre for Volunteering in honouring the inspiring individuals. They were especially excited to present the Club Volunteer of the Year Award category, which highlighted the outstanding efforts of volunteers within our industry.

“Volunteers help to enrich local communities right across the state, including within NSW clubs, and the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate their incredible contributions,” she said.

Along with ClubsNSW, the awards’ other principal partner was the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, with the Minister responsible for volunteering, Jodie Harrison, congratulating winners and nominees.

“You have been recognised as heroes by the people in your communities,” she said.

“Thank you for all you do to make NSW the best state to live and work in.”

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate thanked the award recipients for their remarkable service to their communities and NSW.