By CASEY NEILL
NOBLE Park RSL is aiming to become the nightspot to be each Friday.
It held its first Kokoda Lounge over-25s night on 4 October to broaden its membership and raise funds for welfare work.
“It’s about attracting young people to the RSL, but an earner at a time when a lot of clubs are struggling,” sub-branch president John Meehan said.
“We’ve got Anzac House approval for it.
“Friday nights in the past hasn’t been a big night for us.
“If we want to survive we’ve got to change our ideas a bit.
“We may ruffle a few feathers with the older brigade but it’s about survival.”
Kokoda Lounge will kick off at 10pm each Friday and feature a live band and DJ. Entry will be free before 11pm and $10 after, with drink specials and giveaways running throughout the night.
One of the event’s co-ordinators, Glen West, said it would be a ‘traffic light party’, with red, yellow and green wrist bands handed out on the door.
He said their biggest focus had been ensuring attendees felt safe.
“We’ve got your standard security guards in the venue and a couple of people undercover,” he said.
Welfare and war pension work is the RSL’s main objective and Mr Meehan, a Vietnam veteran, is keen to encourage returned service men and women from recent conflicts to seek support.
“You’re really in a complete state of despair when you come home,” he said.
“You’ve seen some horrific sights – a lot of horrific sights – and you’ve been damaged.
“These kids coming back from Afghanistan … really it’s deja vu for us. We can see, we were the same 40-odd years ago.
“These people are our presidents and committee members of the future.
“We’re thinking of our youth. We need these young kids to ensure that we do survive.
“Anybody’s welcome to come down. We’re really opening up our arms.”
The Noble Park RSL Sub-Branch is at 1128 Heatherton Road, Noble Park. Call 9548 3750 for more information.
