Toukley RSL Sub-branch will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special day at Club Ary, Toukley, on Sunday, November 5, from 11am-5pm.
The special event will remember veterans who established the Sub-branch and all committee members, past and present, over the past 75 years.
Formal affiliation for the club was approved in 1937 as the Upper Tuggerah Lakes Returned Sailors Soldiers and Airmen Imperial League of Australia.
This continued until 1942 when the Sub-branch was declared defunct.
In 1948 a Charter was granted for the formation of the Sub-branch to be known as the Upper Tuggerah Lakes Sub-branch.
President was Frank Vincent Holmes, Secretary was William Anders Halvorson and Treasurer Walter Robert.
By 1951 membership had increased from 40 to 60 including six associate members and today there are 177 service veterans and 16 auxiliary members.
“In the 1940s Toukley was only a fishing hamlet, with no electricity or water,” a spokesperson said.
“Mr Holmes bought 80 acres from Canton Beach Rd to the Primary School and Main Rd down to Crossingham St.
“In 1944 he moved up here to live and built extensions to the old house on the block facing Holmes Ave and re-named it Holmesville.
“A number of roads in the area were named after family members including Favent St, Heador Street (Heather and Doreen) and Holmes Ave.
“Many activities took place at Holmesville, including meetings of the RSL (10 members), Progress Association, Women’s Auxiliary, Bowling Club, Garden Club, Cricket Club and Bush Fire Brigade.
“Church services of all denominations were held and on the side verandah with Mrs Holmes playing an old pedal organ.
“In the late 1930s the old Mission Hall became a picture theatre, electricity was connected in the 1950s and water in about 1966.
“The first Anglican Church was built in Hammond Rd in 1962 by Frank and Ray Holmes.
“Mr Holmes sold the land for an RSL building for a very small amount of money (when) there were only 10 members.
“The Women’s Auxiliary was formed by Mrs Holmes who was the first President and later made a life member.
“About 12 months later an old bakehouse was for sale in Wyong and this was bought and transported to Toukley.
“This was re-assembled where the RSL stands today by voluntary labour and was known as the Upper Tuggerah Lakes Branch.
“The first Anzac march was held in 1948 led by then President L. Brown, who was a Health Inspector at Wyong Council and then Secretary V. Holmes.”
Source:
Toukley RSL Sub-Branch