Veteran administration manager Tom Lipscombe and Shepparton RSL Club manager Grant Tarrant inside the new Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch Veterans Centre.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Renovations at Shepparton RSL will see the club transformed into a venue like nothing else seen in Shepparton before, according to the club manager.
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Regular visitors to the club would have seen plenty of work going on, while those who have not been there for a while would already notice some big changes.
The club is part-way through a more than two-year renovation that started in October last year and is forecast to be finished by early 2027.
Stage one of the renovations started with building the new Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch Veteran’s Centre and administration building.
The new office administration space for staff is part of stage one of the renovations.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The new building sits next to the Shepparton RSL, with an entrance on Wyndham St.
In the front part of the building, volunteer staff help veterans transitioning from the defence force with submitting claims through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, as well as any other help they or older veterans need.
There is even a lift for those who can’t make it up the few entrance steps.
The administration part of the building includes staff offices, a new boardroom and an area to keep war memorabilia.
While the main part of the works were finished earlier this year and the area has been used since then, the finishing touches, including wall art, were only added in July.
The club in now in stage two of its five-stage project.
Stage two works are in the Shepparton RSL club itself, and are to include a new reception area, lounge and entertainment area.
Work on this area started in mid-February and is expected to be completed by mid-September.
Shepparton RSL general manager Grant Tarrant in the new boardroom built as part of stage one of the project.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Stages three and four — to start in February next year — will incorporate a full gutting of the current bar, library, boardroom and toilet areas, to be replaced with an outdoor alfresco area — with dining, bar and function areas.
There will also be a new inside sports bar and bistro.
Stage five will see beautification of the outside of the building, and will include landscaping, a modification to the car park and an installation of a memorial wall to commemorate conflicts Australia has been involved in.
All works are forecast to be completed by early 2027.
Shepparton RSL general manager Grant Tarrant said he was excited about the changes.
The new Shepparton RSL Sub-Branch Goulburn Valley Veterans Centre and administration building formed stage one of the project. The new building has a front entrance on Wyndham St.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“It’s something not seen in Shepparton,” he said of how the club would look when completed.
“It’ll be great for the area and the community, and we’re really excited.”
Mr Tarrant said the works had been planned for many years, but had to be stopped a few years ago when COVID-19 hit the state.
A lift is available for those who can’t walk up the five entrance steps into the veterans’ centre.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“We needed to see where the business was post-COVID (before starting the works).
“We’re lucky enough the business has bounced back better than ever.”
Mr Tarrant said while the works would cause a lot of disruption at the club, and capacity would decrease for a while, the club would not close during any of the renovations.
“We will continue to operate and provide services for the community,” he said.
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