A BAN on fundraising is cruelling the finances of Albury’s RSL.
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The sub-branch is budgeting for a second consecutive operating loss this year because of the ban sparked by a corruption probe into the RSL’s NSW leadership.
While the investigation runs sub-branches cannot generate cash through general donations or sell badges and poppies for income.
Albury RSL sub-branch president Mark Dando said the losses, which are calculated on the calendar year, were mounting.
“If it’s not sorted out by Remembrance Day I’m estimating we’ll make an operating loss of $18,000 to $20,000,” Mr Dando said.
“Last year it was about a $7000 operating loss.
“That money will come out of our reserves but we only have so much in our reserves.
“We’re not like clubs in Sydney, like Maroubra, that have up to $15 million in assets.
“We’ve got about $180,000, so if we make an operating loss of $20,000 we’ve got doors open for nine years.
“We’re not crying poor, but we do have to be careful with our general fund.”
Mr Dando said the sub-branch had been assisted with work at its Anzac House headquarters by cash from the SS&A and Commercial clubs.
“The Commercial Club has helped with a kitchen upgrade and assisted with a government grant for the roof,” he said.
“We’ve had electrical work done to bring it up safety-wise and that’s been through grants from those two clubs and the government.”
There is no timeframe for the lifting of the fundraising veto.
For the past three days, the NSW RSL hierarchy has discussed its response to the corruption fallout at its annual congress in Albury.
NSW Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott spoke about legislative changes being made to increase accountability of the RSL.
Sector regulator Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission also addressed the congress.
The ACNC last week issued an enforced undertaking on the NSW RSL which requires it to implement a financial accounting system by December 30.
The RSL also has to produce a code of conduct for employees, fraud prevention policy, internal complaints handling procedure, risk management policy and risk register in 90 days.
RSL members on Wednesday voted in-camera on a series of motions tied to the woes.