About
Meet the Padre
Hugh ‘Brighty’ Bright, grew up in Cooks Hill, surrounded by stories of relatives who’d served in WWII. His Dad, Bill, served in the Merchant Navy, then joined the RAN in 1943. He served in the Pacific, then in Japan after the war, served in Korea, and left in 1953 after marching at the
Coronation. His uncle, Les Poulson, served in Bomber Command in WWII, being KIA December 3rd 1944 over the North Sea.
His interest in military history and veterans was fostered very early in life. While interested
early in joining the RAN, his life took a different direction after leaving school. He spent four years teaching, followed by twenty-five in full-time ministry. During this time, he actively engaged with veterans through ANZAC and Remembrance Day ceremonies, together with funeral ministries. He has been to the Western Front three times since 2015, following in the steps of relatives who served there.
In 1986 he married, Wendy, the granddaughter of the Commanding Officer of the 4th Light Horse Brigade, Brig-Gen JB Meredith. He missed Beersheba by a month, returning to Australia in September 2017.
He looks forward to continuing his links to veterans in this new role.
Merewether Hamilton Adamstown (MHA) RSL Sub-Branch
is registered under the Charitable Fundraising Authority and dedicated to the assistance and welfare of ex-servicemen and women, current ADF personnel, widows and their dependents.
Our members meet on the second Tuesday of each month (with the exception of January) at 11.00am in The Anzac Rooms at the South Newcastle Rugby League Club in Merewether.
Current Executive L-R
Sec: Phil Edwards VP: Richard Turnbull, VP: Ian Milne, Pres: Phil Frawley, Tres: Terry West, Ast Tres: Phil Winney OAM
EARLY HISTORY
The inaugural President of the Merewether RSL Sub-Branch was Mr Bill Newburn (Honorary Secretary and treasurer are unknown).
During the early years of the Sub-Branch many World War I Anzacs joined with an influx of World War II Diggers in the S0’s and 6O’s – membership then rose from the 200’s into the S00’s.
In the I95O’s the Merewether R.S.S and A.I.LA. Ladies Auxiliary was formed. They undertook fundraising activities and were able to purchase from the Newcastle Council the old former
Merewether Municipal Chambers which the Sub-Branch used for their meetings for many years. Until then, the Sub-Branch was meeting in the old Merewether Fire Station at the rear of the Council Chambers. The Fire Station was an old reel and hose station which became vacant when the new Fire
Station was built on land next to the Council Chambers in 1933. The Sub-Branch operated so successfully, that it was decided to build an extension behind the Council Chambers for a dance hall. At this period of time, the old tin sheds at the rear provided a venue for annual Christmas parties for children of ex-servicemen and it was also later used by
Merewether icon, Alice Ferguson for weekly tap-dancing classes for young people of the area.
Alice was loved and recognised for volunteering her time to the youth of Merewether in so many ways. The old hall still exists today and is now relocated on the St Augustine’s Church Merewether car park adjacent in Winsor Street.
The land was cleared and the foundations dug to plans drawn by Joe Cook and many willing and able members were pressed into service, wielding pick and shovel, until the foundations were prepared. Joe Cook and his son Don, were then sub-contracted for the brick foundations and Merv Eisley, Bill Turner and Andy Gillespie were the carpenters on the new building, while Bill Larkin, Alex Henderson and Harold Clarke did the plumbing.
The building extensions were opened on 31 October 1956 by the then Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Alderman T Edmunds.
In 1956 Liquor Laws prevented Sub-Branches from holding a Liquor License. Consequently, Social Clubs came into being and the licensed Merewether RSL Club in Llewellyn Street was formed. The building was enlarged and renovated several times over the years. The RSL Sub-Branch had its own
room at the back of the Licensed Club at 1ˢᵗ floor level. It could seat 80 with a kitchenette and other facilities. After 5.00pm on Friday’s, the Club was packed and was well patronised on other days. The 50ᵗʰ
anniversary of the Sub-Branch was held in 1988 and was a great success with members travelling from Sydney and afar to celebrate. The Sub Branch celebrated many more milestones with current members, Ray Bennett, Phil Winney and Geoff Rich organising a celebration in 2004.
In the years which followed many changes took place, with the introduction of the ‘Booze Bus’ and upgrades to local Clubs and Hotels which resulted in reduced patronage and income. The RSL Club building was also deteriorating.