History

The fi rst infl uence of the R.S.L. in Australia in peace is its contribution to national identity. From 1916 the R.S.L. has promoted and assisted in all ways for the formation of memorials to their fallen comrades. The memorials took several forms, notably the larger columns and cenotaphs erected throughout Australia, and on a smaller scale, in the numerous honour boards and stained glass windows. Other memorials include functional items such as pulpits and pews, in fact any form of physical reminder of the sacrifi ce made by the service men and women of Australia. It is no wonderthat the notion of mateship, engendered by the circumstances of war, were further perpetrated during the following peacetime to the extent of establishing a lasting place in the formation of national identity.

It is this latter attribute that has given the League its own particular identity in Australia. The strength of conviction towards the honour and respect that should given by all towards those who have faced unspeakable odds and even death for the safety of their homeland has been the driving force of the League in its untiring support, and at times confrontation in this action. The mate ship formed during the war years continued with returning service men and women resulting in a social concern and responsibility.

Social concern was evident in Cairns as early as 1916 when the Welcome Home Committee was formed. Later that year the Cairns Sub-Branch of the Returned Soldiers Association was offi cially formed. It appears that the Welcome Home Committee had purchased a block of land on The splanade, but an adjoining block with a house called “Tower Villa” (Cover) to be renamed “The Rest Home for Returned Soldiers” was purchased on the 16th December 1918.7 The house had been relocated from Kuranda in 1908 by the owner George Mayers, and the purchase was made on behalf of the R.S.L. by Arthur Francis Moody and James Steven Gomm as Trustees for the Cairns Sub-Branch of the League. Given this early purchase, it is possible that the sub-branch could be the longest continual occupier of any block of land in Cairns.

The Rest Home was to be used and enjoyed by all returned soldiers and sailors in the Cairns District as a rest and recreation home. Extensions were made by 1922 (Pic 2), with substantial accommodation to the south-east and a connection to the original tower by an enclosed veranda. In 1932 the mayor of Cairns (W.A. Collins) donated land for Warhaven, another property to be used and administered by the Sub-Branch as a rehabilitation home for returned servicemen. The Cairns Legacy Club was formed by Charter in 1933.

In 1937 the original house was relocated to the rear of the block and a new substantial masonry building erected in front (Pic 3). The front portion of this building forms the current facade with its distinctive three arches. The notable differences that can be seen of this facade are the hipped roof, and the large crowning pediment, inscribed with the letters RSSILA, above the central three arched entrance. On the 9th September 1948, two more blocks of land were purchased. Some confusion followed this purchase, as in 1952 it was discovered that the R.S.L. had built on land that did not belong to them. This led to discussions between Sir Thomas Covacavich and the Premier of Queensland and Vince Gair, resulting in Sir Thomas drafting an act called the “Cairns Welcome Home Club Transfer Act”, which apparently put right the problem.

In 1953 the original house was demolished and a hall built at the back. The bar that was in the house up to this point was moved into the hall. The Club operated successfully even though a liquor licence
had not been obtained, but was allowed to operate with the tolerance of the authorities. On 4th July 1963, the buildings were destroyed by fi re (Pic 4). The Rest Home section was completely destroyed together with the First Floor section of the front building. The bar and lounge section of the ground fl oor were not destroyed but only smoked damaged. The greatest losses were however, the many irreplaceable historical articles and photos, particularly the Roll of Honour, and all the Legacy, historical and offi ce records. Nevertheless, it is recorded that the Secretary-Manager was able to
entertain behind the remaining bar those people who had done so much in coping with the fi re and the beer was still quite cold! (All was not lost). The front portion of the building was repaired, but the roof form was not restored, nor was the notable pediment (Pic 5). In time the front hall was restored, and the destroyed back section, the old Rest Home, was replaced with new accommodation. The new building was offi cially opened in 1965. In 1968 the Cenotaph was moved from the centre of Abbott Street to its present location on the Esplanade, centred on the main entrance. This gave the Cenotaph a more accessible and logical position linking it to the R.S.L. 1971 saw new extensions to the north-west utilising the block towards Florence Street. This housed the “Coral Sea Bar” (Pic 6). Few changes were made until the 1990s, which saw a number of alterations and additions. Architectural drawings of 1991 show the Coral Sea Bar still existing and a fence to the Esplanade and Florence Street corner block. In July 1992, drawings show the Functions room at the rear of the main building, and in a further drawing of August ‘92, this area is shown dedicated to poker machines. This appears in sketch plans for the present Bistro and the outdoor light-weight covered garden area on the comer of The Esplanade and Florence Street (Pic 7), although this work did not proceed until September1993. This
contract (10th September 1993), also included the new entry building with the relocated gaming area bringing the complex to its present form (Pic 8).

Further work was carried out during 1999, but this consisted mostly of interior upgrading and refurbishing and did not substantially alter the basic form of the complex. The quality of the detailing of this work was good providing clubrooms that the members could be proud of. The present accommodation consists of the R.S.L. Club building (2 storeys), containing the entrance and reception, and a grand stair to the upper fl oor with a chair lift attached. The entrance hall leads to the Bistro area to the back right, the Gaming room to the front right and the Dining room and Bar to the left. Both the Gaming room and the entrance hall are full 2 storeys in height. This presents the tall arched windows that can be seen on the main facade. The Gaming room extension was designed to continue the arched windows across the front facade. The administration area is situated to the rear of the Dining room and has a separate entrance from the back of the building. This area houses the
Board Room.

Upstairs the stair hall houses a considerable collection of memorabilia such as framed wall hangings, and artifacts enclosed in glass cases lining both sides of the hall. The hall gives entrance to the Club’s Catalina Room used for specifi c Club functions, and leads to the Functions room. This sits above the
Administration area, and has an additional external stair entrance. There is limited staff and public car parking on site, with the entrance from Florence Street. Below a photo of RSL as it is today. (Pic 9)