Mandurah RSL ‘homeless’ after land sale

The issue harks back to a long and bitter feud between RSL WA and RSL Care over the ownership of the aged-care facilities.

It was reported last month that RSL financial reports showed the organisation divested itself of its aged-care operations in 2011, while Kevin Davidson was the chief of both RSL WA and RSL Care.

The sale was for a total of $39 million, $8 million in cash and $31 million secured by a mortgage over the aged-care properties to be repaid over 12 years.

A case was settled in December 2016, and RSL WA received a compensation from the aged-care branch.

”However, [RSL Care] Retired Aged Care Association still owns the land the city of Mandurah RSL sits on,” Mandurah RSL vice-president Dave Mabbs said.

And RSL Care has asked Mandurah RSL to vacate it.

“It is devastating that an organisation that was once part of the RSL is now kicking us out,” Mr Mabbs said.

Mr Mabbs said the building as well as the aged-care facility adjacent to it was built and paid for by Mandurah RSL members in 1989 and is home to several memorials and unique memorabilia. 

“The spirit of the RSL is in this building,” he said.

“We feel gutted.”

Ms Mabbs said it would be near impossible for the organisation to relocate to new premises by the end of 2017, putting at risk their signature event, the ANZAC Day celebrations. 

However, he said the organisation was hoping to relocate as close as possible to their old location, since many retired servicemen living in the RSL Care facility moved in to be in close proximity to the RSL headquarters. 

He said they had the support from RSL WA, local MP Andrew Hastie and Mandurah MP David Templeman.

“But we also need the support of the wider community,” Mr Mabbs said.

Ms Mabbs said the organisation hoped to receive support and assistance from the City of Mandurah in finding available land to relocate their headquarters.