Beginnings in Rattray Rd

The picture above is a current view of the MERSL premises. However, over the decades, the building has undergone many changes. As described in the The Full Story section, the Sub Branch originally met in the Montmorency Public Hall which was located in Rattray Rd, where the BP service station is now situated. That hall was constructed in 1936 with money raised from local residents. It was managed by a group of three trustees, under the conditions set out in a Trust Deed approved by the Supreme Court of Victoria. By the mid 1940s, the Montmorency Sub Branch had been formed and were meeting regularly in the hall. Around that time, the trustees no longer wished to continue in their role and so arrangements were made for the Sub Branch to take over the management of the building and the Trust Deed was amended to reflect that change. The land also included an Infant Welfare Centre.

During the '50s the Sub Branch held regular meetings and activities, including some general community activities such as film nights, and occasional health-related functions such as chest X-ray sessions for locals to be checked for tuberculosis.

In the mid '60s, the Sub Branch received offers to purchase the land from two petrol companies. The offer 'was too good to refuse' and so was accepted, and a new RSL premises was constructed in its current location. A new community hall was also constructed adjacent to the RSL in the park, with funding mostly provided by the funds received from the sale of the Rattray Rd land. Much greater details surrounding those changes are outlined in The Full Story section.

Under the original agreement for the RSL to construct new clubrooms in Petrie Park, any renovations done to the premises could only be undertaken within the boundary of the original allocation of land: the farm land was given by Jock Petrie to the Eltham Shire Council on the proviso that a portion was to be made available to the RSL to build new premises, with that land being leased by the RSL for a 'peppercorn rental' (by 1981 this amounted to $118 p.a.).

The Petrie Park Building

The first building in the park was a single storey with the entrance being opposite the entry to the adjacent community centre (approximately where there is now a back door into the dining area). The overall footprint of the building stretched from the current kitchen and some of the dining area through to most of the gaming room. The current main bistro area didn't exist.The current downstairs bar was the only bar, and the coolroom behind it is approximately the same as the original. The wall on the oval side was brick with a number of large windows overlooking the park. The far end of the general inside area ( now, the pokies room) included two full-size billiards tables and was popular with many members, some of whom played in an inter-club RSL competition. The toilets were in roughly the same area as the current ones, behind the kitchen.

The first significant renovation, undertaken the '80s, was to build a second floor above the far end  from then then entrance (above the current gaming room). The billiard tables were re-located upstairs to provide more room for general members in the main bar area. The new area was also used for committee meetings, and there was an additional small room used as an office and storage area.

Bill McKenna's Drive to Extend

In the early '90s, gaming machines came to Victoria and the club initially applied for five and were successful in that. But very soon after, through the enthusiasm of then Secretary Bill Mckenna (and then, soon after, President) the number of machines was increased to 25. These were installed where the current ones are, but the area was not as large as now.

Much of the building alterations from 1990 and beyond were undertaken at the instigation of Bill who retained the Presidency for many years (see Honour Boards page), and may not have occurred at all without his continual enthusiasm and drive. One of Bill's regular 'mantras' when there was just the single storey building was 'we've got to go over the top!'. Eventually that second level was built, despite the doubts of many as to structural integrity and strength, and other factors, but Bill was never in any doubt. The upstairs area was built, on steel beams which were installed across the roof of the original building. There were two further projects which eventually produced the upstairs area which exists today. The final stage included larger sundeck areas and a lift. Unfortunately, these developments necessitated the removal of the two full-size billiards tables which had been part of the club for so long. They occupied a large area and there were very few members who still used them frequently. The pool tables which had also been part of the main bar for many years were also removed in one of the final building changes – they had been at the far end of the upstairs bar, where the small stage is now located.

Funding the various extensions was always an issue but Bill, with capable assistance from Paul Sully in particular, was able to obtain the necessary finances. In one instance, that was done largely from debentures secured from many members who were given good interest rate returns for the faith they showed in the Sub Branch management. A continuing difficulty in obtaining commercial finances was that we didn't own the land on which the building stood (it was and is owned by the Banyule Council; see further details in the story of how we came to be in Petrie Park), and so there was no useful collateral to offer as security for any loan. Should the club be unable to pay off a loan, any bank would not have a commercially saleable property for them to re-coup losses. Nevertheless, eventually there were arrangements always made, guarantees given and so on, and all loans were indeed paid in the time promised. None of these hurdles stopped Bill from forging ahead to see his dream become reality.

The Barling Family Outdoor Area

In the mid 1990s, there was an outdoor area created on the oval-side wall – one of the windows was replaced by a door, the outside area was paved and a barbeque was installed, with a waist-high fence surrounding the whole. It was officially opened as the Barling Family Outdoor Area. As well as providing an expanded hospitality for sunny days, it was also used regularly by the golf club for their after-game gathering. Previously, those social get-togethers were held at the homes of various golfers.

Around that time, membership was increasing and more indoor space was needed, particularly during the cooler months and on busy Friday and Saturday evenings. Part of the main members area was required for the construction of a kitchen to service the greater membership numbers, and for the guests who were more frequent and numerous due to the presence of the gaming machines. The result was a new oval-side wall being constructed, effectively moving the then-current one some five or so metres closer to the oval. Unfortunately, this meant that the outdoor area had to disappear as the building was close to the edge of the area of the park allocated to the RSL. 

Photos of Different Locations and Building Stages

The photos below show some of the changes that have occurred to the various places where the Montmorency RSL called 'home' over the decades. The first picture is of the Montmorency Public Hall. Then there are photos of Petrie Park when it was Petrie Farm (including the family home).

The first coloured photos show early scenes in the original main bar area (which was all there was back then). Later photos show the Outdoor Area, and then eventually the upstairs extension.

The BARLING FAMILY OUTDOOR AREA ...