The historic Rosewood Memorial Hall will be leased to the Rosewood RSL Sub Branch for the next decade, providing security and certainty to the Sub-Branch, and formalising community practices for the use and hire of the facility.
Governance and Transparency Committee Chair, Councillor Jacob Madsen, said the Committee endorsed the recommendation which was then resolved at the Ordinary Council meeting.
“The Rosewood RSL Sub Branch have been using the hall for a very long time, so this lease makes sense and provides the members with more certainty moving forward,” Cr Madsen said.
“RSL halls and war memorials continue to play an integral role in acknowledging the sacrifices made by men and women and their families during periods of conflict, and I’m delighted Council can help the volunteers who keep Rosewood up and running.”
Division 4 Councillor Russell Milligan said the Rosewood RSL Sub Branch is an important part of the Rosewood community.
“The Rosewood RSL Sub Branch is an outstanding local organisation which provides support to veterans and many Rosewood residents turn out for their Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services,” Cr Milligan.
“These events are highly valued by the community with numbers in attendance increasing year on year.
“Personally, as a member of the RSL, I am proud to see Ipswich City Council supporting one of our local sub branches to continue serving the community.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said it will be wonderful to see the Rosewood RSL Sub Branch gain a trustee lease within part of the Rosewood Memorial Hall.
“The provision of a ten-year lease is a small way Council can help them continue their work,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“A long-term lease will assist this respected local community group to provide continuity of the important services the deliver to the community.”
There are currently two other community organisations who use the hall on a regular basis and those arrangements will not change as Council will still manage the use of hall for user groups.
The Rosewood Memorial Hall was originally built in William Street by returned World War II diggers, mainly using voluntary labour.
The hall was relocated to its present site at 1 Mill Street in 1979 with the Rosewood War Memorial also relocated.
Council will continue to carry out repairs, maintenance and upgrades to the hall, and it will remain available for bookings by the community using council’s standard booking procedure.
What a logical and well thought solution to what could have been a huge problem. Well done ICC