By REBECCA BILLS
MOUNT Evelyn RSL is no longer hiring the Hardy House hall to one-off users after two years of constant damage issues.
At the December club meeting, members voted unanimously to no longer hire the hall out after the one-off users not following bond agreements over an 18-month period.
Mount Evelyn RSL Secretary Anthony McAleer said after a 60th birthday party toilet handles were found smashed and after an engagement party the RSL’s wheelchair was found broken – these just two occurrences on a long list of issues.
Mr McAleer said although these groups pay bonds to cover the club in the event of damage, each time it happened it required volunteering members to do the extra work to rectify.
“It is a sad decision to make because the RSL, as a community service, has wanted to offer the hall as a cheaper venue facility to the general public,” he said.
“However, because of the carelessness of our previous one-off hirers it is no longer worth it for the RSL to do this anymore.
“It’s really sad it has come to this but it really isn’t worth our while anymore.”
President Roger Boness said the RSL had paid out more than $20,000 over the last few years to improve the hall with new air-conditioning units and kitchen installed to upgrade facilities.
He said although the RSL did rely on private hirers, now the eight community groups that use the hall throughout the week keep the hall afloat.
“We know we can trust the community groups to always make sure the hall left in a clean and tidy state,” he said.
Mr McAleer said the Mount Evelyn Scouts had also had similar issues with the hiring of their hall but they were unable to comment by the time the Mail went to print.
