Mittagong RSL Marks 70 Years with Weeklong Celebration

The official anniversary was honoured with a special luncheon on Tuesday, attended by current and former directors, general managers, sub-branch presidents, long-serving staff and other dignitaries — a powerful reflection of the Club’s deep roots in the Southern Highlands.

“It was a really lovely day, and a great way to celebrate some of the memories and the people who’ve helped make this Club what it is today,” says CEO Daniel Marmont, who will mark 25 years at the Club himself in January.

The luncheon was not just ceremonial. It also offered a powerful reminder of the Club’s origins. 

“Mittagong RSL was born out of the vision of just 16 returned servicemen,” Daniel says. 

“It was a tight vote – 16 to 11 – among the original 27 sub-branch members, but that decision gave birth to a community institution that’s lasted 70 years.”

Daniel adds that even the Club’s move to its current site in 1978 was hotly debated at the time. 

“Many thought it was too far out of town and no one would come,” he says.

“But now, we’re in the heart of Mittagong. It just goes to show the foresight those members had.”

The 70th birthday celebrations haven’t been confined to just one day. Each evening from Wednesday to Sunday, the Club has given away five $1000 cash prizes to lucky members – a major promotion that’s been building for six weeks and has generated enormous buzz.

Saturday night saw the biggest party of the week, with a free rock’n’roll show and DJ in the Carrington Room. 

“We saw a big crowd – lots of people wearing their rockabilly best and dancing up a storm,” Daniel says.

On Sunday afternoon, the focus shifted to staff, with a private barbecue hosted by the CEO himself along with their catering manager. 

“We’re opening up our new activity centre so our staff’s kids and grandkids can join in, and we’ll be on the barbecue tongs ourselves,” he says. 

“It’s our way of saying thanks to the people who make this Club what it is.”

The Club’s employment legacy is as remarkable as its community roots. Mittagong RSL has had thousands of employees over the years. One longstanding team member has clocked up 45 years, another 35 – and the Club is about to enrol its 48th apprentice chef. Its first still works at the Club to this day.

“It’s not just a workplace—it’s a place people stay and grow,” says Daniel. 

“That speaks volumes about the kind of community we’ve created here.”

And the members have embraced it all, right down to cutting the cake. 

“We’ve had everyone from the widowed wife of our first president to a 96-year-old life member who lost both her husband and sons – all connected to the Club – cutting the cake,” he says. 

“It’s those moments that really show what this place means to people.”

While the week of celebrations wrapped up last Sunday, the legacy of Mittagong RSL is firmly embedded in the fabric of the town.

“It’s been a very quick 25 years for me,” Daniel reflects. 

“But this week has reminded us to stop, reflect and appreciate just how far we’ve come – and how much further we can go.”