Ballina RSL Club
General Information General Information
Sponsorship & CDSE Funding Program

Sponsorship

Ballina RSL Club Ltd has always been aware of its obligations to support the community that supports us. We are pleased to say that this year our contributions, donations and sponsorships remain as important to us as they always have been. We are proud to give back to the community that we belong to.

 

The Club that just keeps on giving …

Recent Club Community Contributions (Winter 2008 edition Ballina Club Life)
Cash & In-kind Support has been extended to:

  • Telstra Chidflight
  • Biala Special School
  • TinCAN
  • Ballina RSL Women's Bowling Club
  • BISSI - Brain Injury Support Services Inc.
  • Ballina Golf Club
  • Shave for a Cure ($2,010 raised @ the Ballina RSL event)
  • Ballina Shire Concert Band
  • Operage Pilgrimage Group
  • Rotary 50's Expo
  • Ballina RSL Youth Club
  • Riding for the Disabled

 Major Cash Support for the Community
• Ballina Shire “Healthy Community Futures” Fund – X-ray Equipment with Computerised Radiography for Ballina District Hospital $20,000)
• Ballina Rivafest 2006 ($5,300)
• Ballina RSL Youth Club ($3,000)
• East Tintenbar Cricket Club ($2,000)

Cash support has also been extended to:
Ballina RSL Air Rifle Club, Carols By Candlelight – Ballina & Lennox Head events, Ballina RSL Women’s Bowling Club, Southern Cross Arts Festival, 900 2LM Children’s Christmas Appeal, Alstonville Primary School, Ballina Golf Club, Ballina East Lions Club Youth of the Year. Naval Association – All Ships Reunion, Movember, Ballina Senior Citizens, Richmond Tweed Regional Library and the annual Show & Shine.

In-kind support has been provided to the following organisations & events:
KSEAVA , Ballina Day View Club, SCOPE, National Youth Science, Xavier Catholic College, Summerland House with No Steps Charity Golf Day, Summerland House with No StepS Sara Storer & International Disabilities Day Fundraiser

Community Service Support

  • Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club

$12,500 in Support from Ballina RSL Club “a Lifesaver”

The Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club’s acquisition of a new John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle was recently funded by Ballina RSL Club Ltd. Following successful negotiations with John Deere for a substantially reduced price, the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club purchased plant that will meet their needs for many years.

Ballina RSL Club Ltd Board Chairman, Bob Grant, outlined that: 'Ensuring increased beach safety for our community is what our partnership with the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club is all about. We have facilitated the replacement of a key piece of rescue equipment, and as it’s state of the art, our local Surf Club will also now be showcased to other surf clubs along the east coast of Australia’.

  • Ballina Coast Guard

Ballina RSL Club Ltd has made a further donation of $2000 to the Ballina Coastguard. This represents continued support to this important community service. Located adjacent to Lighthouse Beach, the Ballina Coastguard Tower is manned by the Ballina Flotilla of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association.

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard is an organisation composed entirely of volunteers, formed in 1961 to promote safety in operation of small craft. It guards the coast in the most effective way – initially by education, example, examination and finally by search and rescue. Coast Guard services include: radio monitoring, safety patrols, search and rescue. For more information, visit www.coastguard.com.au

Business Community Support

  • 2006 Ballina Shire Business Excellence Awards

Sports Community Support

  • Ballina Soccer Club - Home of the Seahorses
    Ballina RSL Club is a proud major sponsor of the Ballina Soccer Club - Premiers and Premiers Reserve Division
New shirts have recently been purchased for the Ballina Soccor Club Premier & Reserve Teams featuring the Ballina RSL Club logo front centre as proud major sponsor of the teams.
 
Playing in the Football Far North Coast League, the Ballina Soccer Club has a strong following of football fans, and enjoys high participation levels in Mens, Womens and Junior teams. In the 2005 season, the Ballina Soccer Club fielded 25 teams, ranging from the 6 year olds to seniors.
 
The Club was established in 1971 and has grown into a proud and successful sporting organisation within the Ballina community. It currently consists of around 450 members. The Club provides members with an outlet for social interaction, competition, physical health and fitness all encompassed in a family oriented atmosphere.
 
If you are interested in joining the Ballina Soccer Club as either a player or coach, please contact the Club on phone no. 6686 8044. For those wishing to find out more about Ballina Soccer Club game schedules, results or events, visit www.ballinasoccer.com.au
We wish all Ballina Soccer Club teams the very best for the coming season.
See you at the games!

 

 

 Arts Community Support

  • Local Ballina Shire Artists Donate Art Sale Funds to “Our Kids”   
    An amount of $3,848.00 that has accumulated from the sale of art works displayed at the Ballina RSL Club has been donated to the “Our Kids” charity (formally known as the Northern Rivers Children Health Fund). www.ourkids.org.au
  • A Sweet Note for Ballina Public School - Ballina RSL Club Ltd has donated over $3000 to Ballina Public School to assist with the repair of musical instruments.
  • Joe Stark Exhibition – Joe Stark, a Ballina artist who is well-known for his signature ocean-theme steel sculptures held an exhibition titled “Water, Earth and Sky – The Way I'm Seeing It” on June 25-26th 2005 at the Ballina RSL Club. Proudly sponsored by the Ballina RSL, it featured Stark's sculpture, photography and other works. Money raised at the exhibition has been donated to ‘Aussies for Orphans', BACCI and Biala Special School .
  • BACCI Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition & BACCI 2006 Calender – BACCI (The Ballina Arts & Crafts Centre Inc) held their Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition at the Ballina RSL Club from July 8-10th. This event was sponsored by the Ballina RSL Club and featured the work of local artists and crafts-persons for both appreciation and sale. BACCI have also recently produced a wonderful 2006 Calender that showcases samples of work from a variety of artists across the Ballina Shire.
  • Ballina Shire Concert Band – Representatives from each of the sub-committees of the Ballina RSL Sub-Branch were recently involved in the donation of a portion of funds towards an overall donation to the Ballina Shire Concert Band. These monies will assist the Ballina Shire Concert Band to purchase much needed equipment.
  • Ballina Rivafest – Ballina RSL Club were proud Gold Sponsors of Ballina Rivafest, held September 17th-18th 2005. This major community event involved an exciting program of cultural, heritage and recreational activities along and on the Richmond River / Fawcett Park . For more information, visit www.ballinarivafest.com.au .
  • 32nd Annual Southern Cross Arts & Crafts Festival - Ballina RSL Club Ltd is proud to sponsor the upcoming 32nd Annual Southern Cross Arts & Crafts Festival. Starting from the 23rd of September 2005 and running for 9 days, this event features up to 800 visual art exhibits and thousands of craft items. Sponsorship is used for prize money to attract high standard artists, with all money raised through entry fees, the coffee shop and a percentage from art sales going towards the purchase of equipment for the students of Southern Cross School. The festival is open from 10am till 4pm daily.

Youth Community Support

  • Surge Concert for Ben Powell - A year 10 student at Ballina High School, Ben recently had the opportunity to compete internationally in athletics. However to do this he needed $5000. A surge concert was co-ordinated by Ballina RSL Events staff with local bands Brittle FEX, Kanaka and Dark Phoenix providing their services for free
  • “Youth Partnership” - Over $2000 raised through 2006 Ballina Bridal Fair - “Youth Partnership” – A project of the Combined Services Clubs of Ballina Inc, and an initiative proudly supported by the Ballina RSL Club over the past few years through funds raised at the annual Bridal Fair coordinated by the Club.

In mid 1999, the Combined Services Clubs of Ballina Shire (Rotary, Lions and Quota) joined forces to create and manage a project designed to improve the lives of youth in crisis. The project’s mission was two-fold:

1) To provide a ‘safe house’ environment for young people with demonstrated purpose but without the benefit of a secure and positive family environment and;
2) To contribute to the continuing or further education of young people with limited financial means or without the support of a secure family network.

It is pleasing to note that the first stage of this project was completed in late 2005 with the establishment of a residential facility in central Ballina providing independent accommodation for two tenants. This facility will be managed by the Ballina Youth Service and North Coast Community Housing Company, and supported by grant funds provided by the Office of Community Housing.

Shortly after the Ballina Youth House was established and occupied, the Clubs turned their focus to stage two of the project – the development and launch of an educational scholarship program. Named in recognition of the significant financial contribution made by Ballina resident Vi Postle early in the project’s life, the Vi Postle HSC Scholarship program will provide four Year 11 students with $500 each year for two years to help meet the costs associated with completing their HSC studies.

The program criteria and structure have now been finalised and Ballina’s four secondary schools have been invited to nominate candidates for the initial scholarship round. For further information, or to make further donations, please contact Peter Halpin (Combined Services Clubs of Ballina Executive Committee) on 6681 4111.

  • 2006 Kids in Community Awards - Ballina RSL Club Ltd was a proud sponsor of the recently held Kids in Community Awards 2006. The Kids in Community Awards has become a major annual event in the Northern Rivers and continues to be an important avenue to recognise and reward local young people for their positive efforts to address issues affecting themselves and others in the community. For more information, visit www.kic.com.au

  • Ballina RSL Club Ltd are proud sponsors of the national “Read Around Oz” summer reading club. During the 2005-06 summer school holidays, Ballina Branch Library will be hosting the national “Read Around Oz” summer reading club for young people in the local area. This program is designed to entertain, educate and maintain literacy levels during school holiday periods. Contact or visit the Ballina Branch Library for more information on this excellent initiative for kids across our community.

  • SCU Scholarship Program - Ballina Shire student gets a $15,000 Scholarship to Southern Cross University & now yet another opportunity abounds thanks to Ballina RSL Club Ltd …Ballina RSL Club is very proud to be continuing as a sponsor of the Southern Cross University (SCU) Industry Scholarship program. ‘For the past two and a half years we have been delighted to provide the Ballina RSL Club Industry Scholarship to local area resident Jemima Hoile', said Ballina RSL Club Ltd General Manager Bill Coulter . ‘The Club is really pleased to be involved in the Southern Cross University Scholarship program because we know it makes University more affordable for talented, hard-working students like Jemima. Our Board has also only recently pledged continued support for the SCU Scholarship Program and we are looking forward to meeting potential future applicants'. Over the next few weeks the University will be offering such scholarship opportunities for regional students, so if you know someone who might need some financial assistance with their University studies, be sure to have them take a look at the SCU website www.scu.edu.au/services/scholarship

Community Events & Activities 

*Ballina Shire Celebrating International Women’s Day 2006
A fantastic celebration, coordinated by Ballina Shire Council, was enjoyed by ladies from across the Ballina Shire on International Women’s Day. Three inspiring women shared their special stories, each guiding a captive audience along life’s pathway … with some rather defining moments evoking both tears and laughter. Our thanks are extended to Dr Kim Webber, Sue Lewis and Merrilyn McKay whose contributions on this day have been reflected upon and will be long-remembered. Rumour has it that a ‘certain man’ was also involved in the International Women’s Day Celebration …Our very own Executive Chef, Gerhard Spatz prepared an amazing lunch especially for the ladies of the Ballina Shire - but he went that extra mile and performed a live cooking demonstration, culminating in a mouth-watering dessert. Ballina RSL Club was a proud supporter of Ballina Shire Celebrating International Women’s Day 2006.

* Ballina Lions Annual Charity Fun-Run-Walk
The Lions Club of Ballina Inc. organised its first 10km Annual Charity Fun-Run-Walk on Sunday May 7, 2006. It is proposed that this will become an annual event starting and finishing at Fawcett Park. Funds raised will be donated to charities in the Northern Rivers Region and “Campaign SightFirst II”. Campaign Sightfirst II is a Lions International project to prevent and cure blindness throughout the world. Ballina RSL Club Ltd is a proud major sponsor of the Lions Club Fun-Run-Walk.

* Surf Lifesavers Club/Cancer Research Ball - Following on from recent sponsorship of the Lifesavers for Cancer Research Ball, Ballina RSL Club Ltd will continue as a major sponsor of the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club for the next year. The Charity Ball was held at the Ballina RSL Club on Friday, October 7 2005 and raised almost $7000. One of the most popular auction items on the night was of course our very own award winning Executive Chef, Gerhard Spatz, who raised $1650 for his chef services.

* Ballina/Lennox Head Carols by Candlelight - Ballina RSL Club Ltd is proud to sponsor the Carols by Candlelight celebrations which draw families and communities together as they celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. Don't forget to mark these dates on your calendar - Lennox Head (Saturday, December 10) and Ballina (Sunday, December 11). Last year was a great success and this year is expected to be even bigger and better with some great local talent. Come along and join in the festive carols, dance performances from local school children ... and of course enjoy spectacular fireworks!

* World Festival of Magic - Ballina RSL Club Ltd recently sponsored the annual "World Festival of Magic", hosted by the Lions Club of Ballina. Children attend the event from local Special Education units, disability services, welfare organisations and from charities of the Northern Rivers Region. Many of these children suffer a great deal of trauma or difficulties in their lives and they really appreciate a break from their daily routine and the chance to see such a spectacular international show. In its 4th year, the show was held October 3rd and attracted over 1,500 children.

*Ballina Rivafest – Ballina RSL Club were proud Gold Sponsors of Ballina Rivafest, held September 17th-18th 2005. This major community event involved an exciting program of cultural, heritage and recreational activities along and on the Richmond River / Fawcett Park . For more information, visit www.ballinarivafest.com.au .

*Northern Star Ballina Shire Christmas Light Up - It's that special time of year for those in the Ballina Shire when we untangle fairy lights, tinkle Christmas bells and hang holly and share the joy of Christmas with friends and loved ones. Christmas Light Up encourages residents and businesses alike to create beautiful light displays. There is a Light Up map that displays the locations of such displays throughout the Shire. Joining a bus tour can be a fun way to view the displays & celebrate the joy of Christmas with other locals (phone the Ballina Visitor Information Centre on 6686 3484 to book your bus seat!). You may also choose to participate in the "peoples' choice" voting - visiting the community events section on this website to download a voting form.

Recent CDSE Funding Recipients

  • Lifeline - Lifeline provides a telephone counselling service for people to phone 24/7 so that there is someone to listen, no matter what time of the day or night. Lifeline are totally self-funded, receiving no government funding and rely mainly on the sales from their Lifeline shops and on donations from organisations such as the Ballina RSL Club Ltd.
  • Brain Injury Support Service Inc (BISSI) - BISSI is a support service set up in the Far North Coast for people with a brain injury. They provide assistance to members of the community suffering from brain injury, as well as providing assistance and advice to the families of brain injury sufferers.
  • Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) - RDA provide people with a disability the opportunity to ride and enjoy all the activities connected with horseriding. They cater for people with a wide range of disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and visual and hearing impairments.
  • Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club - They began in September 1933 and provide surf lifesaving patrols and training over the warmer months to keep our residents and visitors safe.
  • Ballina District Community Services Association (BDCSA) - BDCSA manages a range of services which provide assistance to children, youth, the aged and disabled. They identify issues and areas of need within the local community and where required, develop services to meet these needs.
  • Ballina Legacy - Provides support to the 600+ local widows of servicement who died whilst serving their country or have subsequently passed away. Ballina Legacy provides support to these people through visiting, assisting with their problems, providing transport and supporting them when ill.
  • Ballina RSL Youth Club - Ballina RSL Youth Club was formed in 1966 and caters for the youth of Ballina by providing sporting opportunities in gymnastics, boxing and karate, assisting them to obtain confidence in their chosen sport.

To request Ballina RSL Club Ltd sponsorship for your event or community group, please download a CDSE Application Form from the ClubsNSW website at http://www.clubsnsw.com.au

 

  • Tintenbar Cricket Club - Ballina RSL Club Ltd is proud to be sponsoring the Tintenbar Cricket Club for their 2005/06 Season. We wish you all the best in your upcoming season - hit 'em for 6, boys!
  • Ballina RSL Bombers – Ballina RSL Club Ltd  provided support to the Ballina Bombers Australian Rules Football Club throughout the 2003, 2004 & 2005 seasons.
  • North Coast Academy of Sport – The strength of junior triathalon talent in Northern NSW continues to grow with the announcement that nine North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) athletes have gained selection into Triathlon NSW (TNSW) state squads. Thanks to the support of Ballina RSL Club, who have sponsored the program since it was launched, NCAS has been able to run regular camps at the Sport & Recreation Centre at Lake Ainsworth and bring in NSWIS sports scientists and elite athletes to assist the NCAS tri-athletes. The sponsorship has also reduced the large travelling costs required to attend state and national events.
  • Legends of Origin visit  2005– the purpose of the Legends of Origin Relay was to celebrate 25 years of State of Origin football and to raise money for the Make A Wish Foundation. Ballina RSL Club sponsored the Ballina Relay visit in an effort to bring some legendary football stars – Andrew Ettingshausen (ET), Mario Fenech & Gary Belcher – to the Ballina community and kids (they visited St Francis PS) who were keen to meet them. Ballina RSL Club also helped to raise over $3000 for the Make A Wish Foundation at the Sportsman Dinner held at the Club on May 30. Thanks to all those who attended this special dinner and to those who bid on sporting memorabilia.
  • Ballina Cup Race Day 2005- Each year Ballina glams up in their finest for the Ballina Cup Race Day, held at the Ballina Jockey Club. This year the Ballina RSL Club sponsored a race of their own - the exciting “Ballina RSL Class 5 Handicap 1,000 Metre” (sprint)! Giddy-up!!