Campsie RSL to the rescue of country bowlo

Campsie RSL was among those who donated $200,000 in cash and equipment to get Lismore City Bowling and Recreation Club back on its feet after it was severely impacted by floods. The Sydney club contributed $50,000 in cash, and another $150,000 in furniture – including EGM bases, TVs, chairs and tables – was contributed by other donors after Lismore’s bowling green and clubhouse were decimated by floodwaters in February and March of this year.

Volunteers have been hard at work restoring the 115-year-old club which is expected to reopen by the end of September. A retired greenskeeper has also offered his time to restore the damaged rinks.

“It was extra special to thank Campsie RSL CEO Craig Love and the Campsie RSL Group for their generous ongoing support of the bowlo,” Lismore MP Janelle Saffin posted on Facebook. “Campsie RSL has provided everything from furniture to financial support. Without them, the bowlo would not be coming back.”

The initial contact with Lismore Bowling Club was first made through Denise Cropp from Interior ID who was looking for a way to transport much-needed used furniture and equipment from various clubs to Lismore. Denise reached out to Campsie to see if they could help with the cost of transport.

“From there the whole thing just snowballed,” Campsie COO Brendan Bates told Club Management. “There is a long list of clubs and suppliers alongside Campsie RSL Group who donated their furniture, equipment, time or services to make sure this happened and it’s important that they are all recognised.”

They include Interior ID, Liberty Gaming, The Pinnacle Club Hurstville, Albion Park RSL, Ingleburn RSL, Rob Adams Refrigeration, Hundal Brothers Removalists, Turbans 4 Australia and IGT Australia.

“Without the support of these contributors, this would not have been possible,” Bates said. The $50,000 donation from Campsie RSL Group was for expenses directly related to getting the Lismore club back up and running again. Re-establishing power to the building was the most immediate concern but after that, the remaining donation had been used to pay for things like new carpet and internal painting.

“We also shouldn’t forget the army of volunteers that have pulled together to help the club to continue to serve the community as it prepares to re-open,” Bates said. “They have devoted their time, money and resources to bring their club back to life, ensuring that it will remain a community asset for everyone at a time they need it the most.

“There is much more that is needed to help the people and businesses of Lismore recover. I implore everyone out there to think about what they can do to aid the recovery effort and show the Lismore community that they haven’t been forgotten,” Bates said.

Volunteers and contributors have helped to rebuild Lismore Bowling Club.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) said the cost of this year’s floods across SE Queensland and northern NSW is $5.28 billion, making it Australia’s second costliest natural disaster ever. Insurers have received about 233,100 claims across both states.

The ICA and insurers have also announced they would be travelling to clubs in flood-impacted communities in northern NSW in September for in-person meetings with those affected by this year’s floods and severe weather.

The ICA in-person meetings at the clubs are an opportunity for customers to discuss the progress of their claim, and to work through any issues they may be experiencing with their insurer.

“I know many customers welcomed the opportunity in May to meet with us and insurers when we travelled around South-East Queensland and northern NSW for in-person consultations,” ICA CEO Andrew Hall said.

“The ICA and insurers will be travelling to some of the most impacted communities to talk to customers face to face, providing an opportunity to discuss the specific details of claims and the claims process.”

The meetings, to be held from midday, are on: