YOU cannot miss the RSL Beaudesert Sub Branch sign filling the 17 William Street window.
The sub branch shifted there in August after more than a decade in their offices upstairs in the Nielsen Building on the corner of Brisbane Street and William Street.
The new location, which they moved into under a lease to buy arrangement, appealed to them for its visibility and accessibility compared with their old upstairs space.
Already, they have experienced an increase in people walking in off the street to access their veteran wellbeing and welfare services.
The sub branch is particularly popular for the assistance it provides with Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims via the two qualified volunteer advocates it has on site.
They also provide a highly valued patient transfer service to veterans and the community.
President Ian Johnson said moving to 17 William Street was a positive and promising shift.
“It’s above the flood plain, has main street frontage and parking out the back,” he said.
“We’re one of the bigger advocate groups within the pensioner and welfare team and we cover all the way to New South Wales. Our advocates (to help with DVA claims) are well-qualified, and our services are sought all over the place.”
Sub Branch Secretary Joanne Crocker said accessibility was important.
“The main thing was ease of access for the older veterans, because most of our membership is the demographic of over 65, so they weren’t visiting the Sub Branch,” she said.
Mr Johnson said visibility and accessibility extended beyond a physical location.
“We’re looking to have a greater connection with younger veterans and it’s our intention to bring younger people onto the board,” he said.
The local Sub Branch, which has existed since 1918, is one of the oldest in Queensland.
The Sub Branch sold building that the The Club (formerly known as Beaudesert RSL) currently occupies, to Sunnybank Community & Sports Club on 19 February this year.
The Sub Branch has hopes to expand its footprint in Beaudesert in the future by creating a space for veterans and the community on the vacant lot it still owns behind The Club.
“The older guys are passing the baton to the younger ones to hopefully keep this sub branch within the community for generations,” said Ms Crocker.
