THE Nerang RSL Club has maintained its generous support of the local community despite difficult trading conditions. During 2010, the club distributed more than $420,000 in cash and kind to local organisations and individuals. And this followed on from 2009 when the club donated more than $740,000 to a range of organisations.

 Club president Terry McDonald said the board of directors had no hesitation in allocating funds to diverse groups from schools, sports club and surf lifesaving supporters clubs to rural fire brigades and Police Citizens Youth Clubs. “And these donations are happening during a period when all licensed clubs find themselves under pressure from social and economic circumstances and individuals have tighter purse strings because of the economy,” he said. Mr McDonald said some of the major donations were to the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Supporters Club ($103,337), Nerang RSL Sub Branch (110,278) and Nerang Primary School Family Support Project ($20,000).

 The State Member for Gaven, Dr Alex Douglas, congratulated the Nerang RSL for its wonderful ongoing support of community groups throughout the past year. Dr Douglas said Nerang RSL had generously donated $422,000 of cash and kind to school groups, sporting and surf clubs and other community organisations. “What the Nerang RSL is demonstrating is that it gives back to the community all that it receives,” he said. “In these harder economic times, non-profit organisations are really struggling and without the assistance from the Nerang RSL many of these organisations would not survive. “Beyond employing local staff, running raffles, providing entertainment and a place that welcomes everyone, we have community organisations building on that generosity of Nerang RSL members. That is community spirit and it is alive and well in Nerang. “The Nerang RSL is not looking back and the year ahead promises even greater things for all Hinterland residents and friends.”

Nerang PCYC was again a major beneficiary of the RSL’s generosity with almost $14,400 directed to it last year. In 2007, the PCYC purchased a $100,000 bus courtesy of an injection of funds from the RSL Club. The 22-seater Toyota Cruiser is used extensively and centre manager Sgt Scott Muldoon said the RSL had made regular contributions over three years to enable the centre to take out a loan and buy the bus. “Apart from the bus, the RSL also sponsored our big State of Origin boxing night at the PCYC which showcased our local talent and our charity golf day,” Sgt Muldoon said.

Nerang Junior Rugby League Football Club also gained support from the RSL for a three-year period providing a lifeline for young footballers in the area. In 2010, almost $15,000 was handed over to the club. Nerang Roosters president Dean Hardin said the club had more than 400 juniors this season and this growth would not have been possible without the backing of the RSL Club. “We use the club’s financial support exclusively towards our juniors,” he said. “The club pledged three years of support to the total of $43,320, which is used to provide jerseys and apparel for every team from under six to under 17s.” Mr Hardin said the club was fielding 36 teams this season, including two girls teams and a second division mens side. “This is the 10th year the RSL has been our major jersey sponsor, which is a remarkable effort, and I believe they have been tied to the Roosters for at least 15 years.”

Smaller groups have not been forgotten with Clagiraba Rural Fire Brigade receiving $2132 and Better Hearing Australia $1235.