Newspaper Article 2011 – RSA closes after decline in patronage

RSA closes after decline in patronage

Marty Sharpe
HAWKE’S BAY

IT WAS once a hive of activity where returned soldiers jostled for elbow room and patrons queued to play on three full-sized billiard tables. Now, a lack of custom has forced the Waipukurau Returned and Services Association (RSA) to close its doors.

Association president Pete Chambers said it was a sad but necessary step after the incorporated society that ran the bar and restaurant in the Ruataniwha St building went into voluntary liquidation earlier this month.

“We were open every day except Monday but there were only 20 to 30 people in a day. You’ve got to get bums on seats and we just weren’t,” he said. “It was the bar and restaurant that paid all the rates and insurance so we won’t have an income apart from the $30 annual membership fee. That’s not a hell of a lot.”

The association had just 120 members. “It’s a sad day, but we’ll still carry on with our commemorations and our welfare side of things, but club activities look like they’re by-the-by now.

“We’re all getting on a bit now and no-one wants to take on the responsibility. If we could lease it to somebody, perhaps we could do something, but we see that as pretty unlikely in the current climate.”

Mr Chambers, who served in J-Force during the postwar occupation of Japan, has been attending the club for about 13 years and has been president for the past nine.

“I’m 83. We’re all in our 80s and tend to stay at home. It used to be quite strong nine years ago. Three snooker tables were fully occupied and we had big crowds. The restaurant was always full, but it has got worse and worse. Now there are just three of us who play snooker.”

He said drink-driving laws had a big impact on rural clubs.

The RSA might now consider amalgamating with the Waipukurau Club. Members were holding a meeting last night, with a further meeting due on December 28 to decide on a way forward.

“It’s all in limbo at present,” Mr Chambers said.

The club has a large collection of memorabilia, which is likely to go to a local museum. Among the collection are the medals and uniform of World War II fighter ace Wilfred Clouston, DFC, who flew Spitfires in the Battle of Britain before commanding New Zealand’s first fighter squadron, No 488 (NZ) Squadron at Singapore.

Raised in Wellington, Mr Clouston farmed near Waipukurau after the war before his death in 1980.

RSA national president Don McIver said many clubs had been successful in repositioning themselves in a bid to attract younger members, but it looked to be too late to save the Waipukurau RSA.

Photo caption – Sad day: Waipukurau RSA president Pete Chambers outside the club which has been forced to call time because of a lack of patronage and ageing membership.