History

The Memorial Club has a solid community base, which has its origins some 90 years ago when the local Sub Branch of the RSL was formed.

The Club takes pride in its community spirit and continues to make resources available to the community. The Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club is proud to sponsor the Mountain District Soccer Club.

Most of the early funding for the Sub-Branch was turned back into the community to support those in need. A recent example of this is the services provided during the disastrous storms over the June long weekend in 2007. The Club has a back-up generator and was one of the only facilities in the area with power. It provided light, warmth, hot showers, food, companionship and security for many locals over this difficult period.

Mangrove Mountain RSL Sub-Branch

The Sub Branch dates back to 1919 when the Founding President was Sgt A W Burns who held Service No. 338. Three members of the founding committee had served overseas in the Boer War. They were S McKenzie, C Stubbs and J Wagnor.

Around ANZAC day 1919 returned personnel gathered for their first meeting on an old log near the present Mangrove Mountain Union Church site. This inaugural meeting led to a Charter being given in October 1919. Although there wasn’t any official building at the time, the group met at the house of Miss Hull until Kulnura Hall was built, making a central place for future meetings to be held.

In the 1950’s ‘Old Dad Sharp’ donated the land where the old Mangrove Mountain RSL Club was built entirely by volunteer labour and with generously donated materials. Logs were cut on the property of W Smith and milled at Yarramalong Saw Mill. They say it was ‘surprising what a dozen beer would get you!’.

On the 20th June, 1960 Mangrove Mountain RSL & Ex-Servicemen’s Club was officially formed, setting the basis for the progress of the next 40 years.

RSL Sub-Branch has had amongst its members those who fought in each of the major wars: the Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. There is a Roll-of-Honour and a collection of over 200 photographs of members of the local community who have served in the ANZAC Function Room.

In the mid-60’s the current site of the golf course was purchased, which provided the land for a golf course to be built and, at a later date, the building of the new clubhouse. The new Clubhouse was officially opened in April 1992.

Memorial Club & Golf Course

The golf course opened in 1974. In the early days the course was pretty rugged and, according to rumour, if you lost your ball in the rough you lit a fire that cleared the rough area so you could find your ball the next week!

The membership was then 20 and has now grown to 500. We have a new Clubhouse on course with a great 10 hole golf course and a Pro Shop which caters for the pro-golfer or the beginner. The golf course is being extended to 18 holes.

We offer you the opportunity to join a golf club where the main priority is participating, not winning, but having a good time. We welcome visitors and special arrangements can be made for groups and social clubs.

There is more information about the golf course here.