The Entrance Long Jetty RSL Sub-branch suffered for many years from an “identification issue” because of its location.
President Les Mackie said the Sub-branch building, situated at the northern end of Diggers @ The Entrance, was often assumed to be part of the licensed club.
“We are a registered charity, and as such, it is imperative that we can show the public we are a standalone organisation,” he said.
“That was our problem.
“We had to decide how to fix it.”
In 2022, the Sub-branch committee decided on a solution and called tenders to produce a mural depicting military images and large lettering saying The Entrance Long Jetty RSL Sub-branch to be painted on the southern wall of the building.
Dotmatrix Design won the tender and the result has exceeded expectations.
“The response to the finished design has been nothing short of amazing,” Mackie said.
Dotmatrix Design owner Paul Schmidt said the project presented a few challenges.
“The building is pretty much in a wind tunnel so we could only work certain hours, impacted by wind and rain,” he said.
“It was quite a lengthy process and took us three to four months, although we completed other jobs in between.”
The design was a collaborative effort.
“The Sub-branch gave us a brief initially,” Schmidt said.
“They wanted the mural to reflect the history of the armed forces, with all branches represented – army, navy and air force.
“We came up with a design and then there was a bit of going to and fro with modifications but everyone was happy with the end result.”
The mural features representations of all branches including a WWII nurse to reflect the important role played by women in the armed forces.