Veterans voice concerns as North Bondi RSL undergoes major makeover
For decades, North Bondi RSL has been a laid-back institution in Sydney’s eastern suburbs — a home base where veterans could gather, share a beer and honour those who served before them. But a wave of changes at the beachside venue has sparked concern that older veterans are being left behind.
Badge draws, meat raffles and long-standing honour boards are on the way out.
New rules now ban pub rock and regular live sport on the big screen. The TAB and Keno have also been removed. Even the club’s name is under review, with management considering dropping “RSL” altogether.
Recent promotions have already adopted “Bondi Beach Club”, with the acronym VFC — veterans and families club — appearing in much smaller print. The sub-heading Tobruk House remains, a nod to the North Bondi RSL sub-branch founded by members of the famed Rats of Tobruk during World War II.
Club chairman Josh Farquhar confirmed talks about a possible name change, though nothing has been finalised. He told the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) any new name would still recognise veterans and families, but added that “RSL NSW has made it very clear they don’t want RSL clubs to be called RSL clubs” in order to distinguish licensed venues from RSL sub-branches.
Earlier this year, the SMH revealed that the sub-branch had also removed two-up from its Anzac Day program. Meanwhile, the club itself has seen internal upheaval, with five senior staff — including the CEO — departing in the past month as new policies rolled out.
Multiple sources familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously, say many older veterans feel pushed aside as the venue shifts to appeal to a younger demographic.
“These poor old guys don’t deserve this,” one source said. “This is their place that they’ve gone to for so long. If they want to change it, change, don’t put them on the outer. Explain it to them. They’re made to feel as if they’re not welcome.”
Another source added: “Older veterans have been going there for years. That’s their little lounge room. The blokes come down, they have a few beers, they go home. They’re not drunk, they’re not offensive ... it’s their clubhouse, where they come and meet.”
Concerns ramped up in August when a group of Vietnam veterans arrived for Vietnam Veterans’ Day wearing suits and medals, only to find no event planned.
Staff ended up hurriedly lowering the Australian flag to half-mast.
Farquhar said most Vietnam veterans usually attended a service at Rose Bay RSL, explaining: “We have a standing arrangement with Rose Bay to support their event and not risk distracting from it.”
He has defended the club’s direction, saying it reflects a large membership of veterans from more recent conflicts.
“This is a charity that exists to support veteran welfare,” said Farquhar, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. “It’s not a charity that exists to just provide a clubhouse to whoever wants to go there. It’s got to be commercial.”
He said the club has “the youngest membership of any sub-branch in NSW”, with an average age of 36 compared with the state average of 70-something.
Farquhar rejected claims that older veterans are being forgotten, pointing to monthly morning teas and activities run by former sub-branch president Rob de Graaf. A large fridge previously blocking a wall of military plaques has also been removed to better display the club’s heritage.
He said the club’s growing community of younger veterans is driving the cultural shift.
“Young people don’t want to be part of a free beer and schnitzel club,” he said.
“What young veterans want is to be part of a community where they can look after their mates.”
Jonathan Jackson, 25th November 2025
