Related: Permit lodged for RSL rejuvenation
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A PUBLIC fundraising campaign has been launched to help the Bendigo District RSL raise $500,000 to redevelop the Soldiers Memorial Institute on Pall Mall.
The community contribution is one of the last pieces of the puzzle to begin the $4.2 million upgrade, which includes a two-storey museum designed to attract the best RSL exhibits from across Australia.
The project includes the removal of a stage at the back of the historic building. The stage was added in 1934 but has since served its purpose, the RSL believes.
Bendigo District RSL chairman of the project control group Paul Penno said the project is “shovel ready”.
He said the RSL hoped the community would continue its tradition of fundraising for the building.
“The nominal roll on the front of the building lists over 2000 names of Bendigo’s finest – the families of the veterans named on the board were major financial contributors to the building of this memorial,” Mr Penno said.
“We ask those families named on the honour board to consider continuing the family’s tradition and ensure that they are a part of maintaining the memory of their loved ones.”
The building was initially funded using public subscriptions in the early 1920s. All of the names listed donated to the building in some way.
Bendigo District RSL president Cliff Richards and City of Greater Bendigo mayor Rod Fyffe launched the fundraising drive this week.
The council approved the upgrade earlier this year, contributing $800,000 to its construction.
The state government is required to provide $1.2 million, while the federal government is expected to chip in $1.7 million.
Mr Penno said once complete, the RSL would be able to have some of the best exhibits available to the public in the heart of Bendigo.
“Castlemaine currently has Ben Quilty paintings on loan at its art gallery. These are the sort of exhibits we want to be able to bring to the RSL,” he said.
“We also want to make our history more accessible for school students. These days they want more than just pictures on the walls, they want something they can point their camera at and interact with.”
The RSL has council, department and heritage approvals for the project.
