Sub Branches

The Gaythorne RSL offers a warm welcome to veterans and their families from all over Brisbane and South East Queensland. The Gaythorne Sub Branch is part of the Brisbane North District of RSL Queensland.

Gaythorne is located 7 kms north-west of Brisbane City, settled on the slopes of Enoggera Hill. Many of the streets are named after World War 1 sites.  

The suburb adjoins one of the largest military barracks in Australia, the Gallipoli Barracks. Because of its rich history and collection of post war memorabilia, Gaythorne RSL holds one of the biggest Anzac Day services in Brisbane. 

Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch is part of the Brisbane North District and is located on the premises of Gaythorne RSL. 

From our earliest years, we’ve been providing assistance, welfare and social connection to local ex-service and current service men, women and their families.  

A wellbeing hub, where the community can meet, socialise and be entertained. 

Information

Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch Inc is open from 8:30am – 1:30pm, Monday to Friday 

Gaythorne RSL have a restaurant and other facilities operating 7 days per week.

Services offered

The Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch Inc is established for the principal purpose of promoting the interests and welfare of former and current serving members of the ADF and their dependants. 

Veterans requiring assistance with DVA claims are encouraged to contact our Welfare Administrator before lodging paperwork on 07 3355 4655 (option 1)

Our Welfare Administrator organises ANZAC Day and other significant veteran events. Our dedicated team of volunteers assist with our badge and poppy sales and fundraising through the year.

We have several trained Veteran Advocates and a Welfare team operating at the Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch and offer the following services:

• Advocacy – DVA Claims Processing

• Welfare Support Services

• Padre Services

• Poppy Funeral Service

• Badge Sales

• Commemorative Services

• Social Connection through our Social Clubs 

Social clubs

Gaythorne RSL Sub Branch have several Social Clubs that members are a welcome to join at any time. The Social Clubs available to members are: 

Cards - 500
Wednesday 1pm – 4:00pm 
Venue – Gaythorne RSL – Room DF4 
Cost - $10.00 

Cards - Euchre
Thursday 7pm – 10:00pm 
Venue – Gaythorne RSL – Room DF4 
Cost - $10.00 
For enquiries – John Underhill – 0409 066 098  

Indoor Bowls
Tuesday 10:00am – 1:00pm 
Venue – Gaythorne RSL – Room DF3 
Cost - $5:00 per year and $5:00 per week  
For enquiries – Jill Ashdown – 0412 651 826 

Mitchie Day Club
Wednesday 10:00am – 12:30pm 
Venue – 7th Day Adventist Church, Mitchelton 
Cost - $15 and includes activities, morning tea and lunch 
For enquiries – Bev Bell 0423 176 504 or Lesley Morrison 0417 605 310  

Golf Club
Meets twice per month 
For enquiries – Tim Asher 0414 552 667 

War Widows
Brisbane West (Gaythorne) 
For enquiries – Narelle Stanton 0418 731 686 

History

Norm Cox, an original member of the Mitchelton Sub Branch, and a foundation member of Gaythorne RSL, sat down with one of our team to recall some of the history of Gaythorne RSL Inc. 

The Mitchelton RSL was formed in 1947 to a group of World War II diggers who were looking for the opportunity to get together and share camaraderie together on Sundays. In those days it was a long trip from Alderley to the Samford Pub, so a local watering hole was needed. For some years they met most Sundays at the Mitchelton Hall, behind where the Gaythorne RSL now stands. In 1952 the group had grown and wanted to establish a more permanent association, build a club house, and secure a liquor licence. 

Enoggera RSL had a similar history and met regularly at the Enoggera School of Arts in Wardell Street. 

In 1953 the two groups met at the Mitchelton Hall to iron out the combining of the two groups into one club, this would therefore give them enough clout to convince the Liquor Licencing Board into giving them a licence. 

There was a heated debate on what to call the newly formed club. Norm Cox raised his hand and suggested ‘Why not meet half way and call it the Gaythorne RSL? After all its half way between Enoggera and Mitchelton.’ The motion was put forward and quickly seconded by Allan Bailey and the vote was carried. The new club was officially called the Gaythorne RSL Club. 

Become a member

The Centenary Suburbs Sub Branch works within the Centenary Suburbs community and local organisations to uphold the objects of the RSL, specially to:

• preserve the memory and the records of those who suffered and died for Australia, erect monuments to their valour, provide them with suitable burial places, and establish

• and preserve, in their honour, the annual commemoration days known as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and other commemorative days; and to

• provide welfare to the sick, helpless, wounded, vulnerable, aged, destitute and needy.

The Centenary Suburbs Sub Branch is part of the Brisbane North District of RSL Queensland. 

History
The Sub Branch was formed in July 2000 with 24 members who were mostly from other Sub Branches but wanted their own Sub Branch closer to their homes.  Since the foundation, the Sub Branch membership has increased to its current 123 members, including three social members, two life members, and two associate members. In April 2001, the Sub Branch inaugurated the Centenary Suburbs War Memorial following the ANZAC Day Service.  The Memorial was built with seeding funds from the Australia Remembers Council, donation of land by the State Government, design assistance from the Brisbane City Council and administrative support from the Centenary District Chamber of Commerce.

In 2018, the Sub Branch held its first ANZAC Day Dawn Service.  The local community has fully embraced the military services at the Memorial to such an extent that the current site is deemed too small future service and the Council has endorsed a proposal to relocate the ANZAC Day site to close proximity of the current Memorial to account for the increased attendance.The Memorial commemorates the Australian participation in all conflicts, including WW1, WW2, the Pacific, Korea and Vietnam.

Information
Sub Branch office bearers are available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 12pm to assist with membership and Sub Branch enquiries. Advocates are available on call out of hours

General Meetings are held at the Jindalee Bowls Club on the last Thursday of the odd numbered months. Board meetings are held two weeks before the General Meeting on a Friday afternoon.

Commemorative Day

• ANZAC Day

• Vietnam Veterans’ Day

• Remembrance Day.

Services offered

• The Sub Branch provides assistance with Welfare and Pension applications. The Sub Branch also provides a lawn mowing service to eligible members.

• The Sub Branch organises regular activities in support of the health and well-being of members and dependants.