Site 4 – Burren Junction RSL and Sporting Club Site

This site marks the home of one of Burren Junction's most important community organisations—the Burren Junction RSL and Sporting Club.

Following the Second World War, returned servicemen and local residents recognised the need for a place where veterans could gather, socialise and support one another. In September 1950, the newly formed RSL Club opened in a former store building previously occupied by C. I. Evans & Sons. What began as a modest clubhouse quickly became an important social centre for the district.

The club attracted strong community support, with local residents, farmers and business owners joining as foundation members. The first committee was elected in 1951, with N. L. Thompson serving as President, W. B. Russell as Vice-President, P. Mitchell as Secretary and G. Border as Treasurer.

As membership grew, plans were made for a purpose-built clubhouse. On 29 November 1959, the new RSL Club building was officially opened by Sir John Northcott, Governor of New South Wales. It was a proud day for the community, with the local CWA providing refreshments for the celebrations.

Over the following decades, the club became far more than a meeting place for returned servicemen. It developed into the social heart of Burren Junction, hosting community functions, entertainment nights, special dinners and celebrations. The adjoining bowling green became a focal point for local sport, with teams regularly competing against neighbouring clubs throughout the region.

As the years passed, the organisation evolved into the Burren Junction RSL and Sporting Club Ltd, reflecting its broader role within the community. Generations of volunteers worked tirelessly to maintain and improve the facilities, ensuring the club remained an important gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

Although the original club has since closed, the site continues to serve the community. Today it is home to the Café on Waterloo, ensuring that this historic location remains a welcoming place where people can meet, share stories and enjoy the hospitality for which Burren Junction has long been known.

Historical information sourced primarily from Visions of the Plains – A History of Burren Junction and District (2nd Edition) by Judy Field, together with local family recollections and community records.

Photo

The former site of the Burren Junction RSL and Sporting Club, now home to the Café on Waterloo.

 

V Varden, "Drildool", Burren Junction

E H Barnett, "Cubaroo", Burren Junction

A G Bateman, Rowena

C J Border, Commercial Bank, Rowena

C E Brayshaw, "Noreen", Old Burren

C P Brayshaw, "Noreen", Old Burren

J M Brumby, Balaclava Street, Burren Junction

R H Bullen, "Old Burren", Old Burren

M Brayshaw, "Noreen", Burren

F W Barton, Inkerman Street, Burren Junction

S F Cameron, Balaclava Street, Burren Junction

P Capel, "Yallambee", Burren Junction

R R Capel, "Yallambee", Burren Junction

H F Carolan, "Lower Nowley", Burren Junction

P Carolan, "Lower Nowley", Burren Junction

J Carter, "North Lynne", Burren Junction

T G L Chapman, "Towri", Burren Junction

J E Church, "Boola", Burren Junction

C Constable, "Glendon", Burren Junction

W A J Cooper, Alma Street, Burren Junction

D P Carolan, "Waverley", Burren Junction

S B Campbell, "Locharver", Tamworth

D L Carolan, "Lower Nowley", Burren Junction

J T Church, Waterloo Street, Burren Junction

K Dorrington, Houlahan Street, Burren Junction

J D Dempsey, "Chelmsford", Rowena

S P Dempsey, "Erroldoon", Cubbaroo Siding

V H Dempsey, "Nerrub", Burren Junction

A L Doyle, "Whitewoods", Burren Junction

V Dasey, Post Office, Burren Junction

H C Fuller, "Braeside", Merrywinebone

C E Fuller, Blenheim Street, Burren Junction

A Gallagher, "Iona", Cubbaroo Siding

R G Garvey, Waterloo Street, Burren Junction

P M Baynor, "Beranghi", Old Burren

J M Gordon, "Windella", Old Burren

C H K Green, "Plainview", Burren Junction

A A Hamilton, "Moorah", Cubbaroo Siding

R W Hardy, "Beragoon", Burren Junction

A D Holcombe, "Lindwood", Bugilbone Siding

C P Holcombe, "Maxwelton", Burren Junction

F Holcombe, "Buckulla", Burren Junction

H S Holcombe, "Millie", Burren Junction

L J Holcombe, "Millie", Burren Junction

C J S Hunt, "North Nowley", Burren Junction

R J Hunt, "North Nowley", Burren Junction

B Hadley, Balaclava Street, Burren Junction

R Hutchinson, "Balmoral", Burren Junction

D B Isbester, Post Office, Burren Junction

P Knight, "Warrenbri", Merah North

P A Langdon, "Maryvale", Cryon

A Livingstone, Slack-Smith Street, Burren Junction

A B Longmuir, Waterloo Street, Burren Junction

L Lonnen, Blenheim Street, Burren Junction

T T Lyne, "Glenrowan", Burren Junction

A B Langdon, "Yarral Yarral", Burren Junction

E Lord, Alma Street, Wee Waa

P A Langdon

C W A Mackenzie, "Tareela", Burren Junction

J P MacKenzie, "Weetonga", Cryon

F L Marshall, "Wargandinna", Cryon

P Michell, "Omeo", Burren Junction

C M Moore, "Clairwood", Burren Junction

T W Murray, "Kyra", Burren Junction

D McDonald, Burren Station, Burren Junction

C M McMahon, "Nowley West", Burren Junction

V P McMahon, "Nowley West", Burren Junction

P J O'Brien, "Kincora", Come By Chance

P J O'Neill, "Waterford", Burren Junction

T P O'Rourke, Cowper Street, Wee Waa

L G Parfitt, Slack-Smith Street, Burren Junction

S B Pauling, "Kidwigil", Burren Junction

M O Panton, Blenheim Street, Burren Junction

H K Radford, Slack-Smith Street, Burren Junction

W H P Radford, Slack-Smith Street, Burren Junction

J Radford, Boraba, Burren Junction

J B Fidley, "Warrambool", Cubbaroo Siding

W B Russell, "Glenburne", Burren Junction

C J Radford, Houlahan Street, Burren Junction

R G Saddington, "Gnomery", Burren Junction

R J Sevil, "Neotsfield", Burren Junction

T A Sevil, "Rothbury", Burren Junction

E J Slack-Smith, "Rosewood", Burren Junction

J D Slack-Smith, "Epping", Come By Chance

A B Stevens, Corunna Street, Burren Junction

R A Sullivan, "Wondahree", Old Burren

A A Smith, "Netherby", Tambar Springs

C L Thompson, "Bugilbone Station", Burren Junction

N L Thompson, "Bugilbone Station", Burren Junction

W H C Treweeke, "Rossmore", Burren Junction

W E D Todd, "Bonea Vista", Armidale

F Vormister, Alma Street, Burren Junction

H T Wheeler, Houlahan Street, Burren Junction

A W Windsor, Public School, Burren Junction

G R Wythe, C/- "Nerrub", Burren Junction