They have been pushing to fix up their hall for the last five years including through community fundraising, secretary Miles Humphrey said.

"The last renovation was back in 1984," he said.

"We've applied for grant funding for the last five or so years but have not had very much success yet."

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The RSL and hall owners the City of Greater Bendigo have focused on project planning and raising funds ready to contribute when money becomes available.

Member for Euroa Steph Ryan senses an opportunity to lock in funding as the state budget looms.

The Nationals' deputy leader has written to the government's minister for veterans.

Ms Ryan said the project could not go ahead without a significant state government contribution.

"The current hall needs work to improve the bar area and provide a dedicated area for storage," she said.

"The RSL Hall has the greatest capacity of any community facility in Heathcote, which means it is important for larger community events."

Ms Ryan said community groups across regional and rural Victoria were dealt a significant blow last year because of social distancing restrictions.

"Stay at home directions put a stop to the Heathcote sub-branch's usual fundraising efforts, including the 2020 Anzac Day and Remembrance Day appeals," she said.

The government will hand down its budget later this month.

A spokesperson said the government had supported the Heathcote RSL in previous years " and are happy to consider any applications for funding they make".

That help included funding to help update the group's roll of honour to include Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam veterans not previously listed.

The upgrades also included additional sections for post-1975 Veterans with the names of local peacekeeping, Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans.

"We will have more to say about our continued support for veterans in the budget later this month," the spokesperson said.

This story was updated on Tuesday, May 4, at 7.20am with comments and past funding commitments from the state government.

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