Club Forster in Forster, Mid North Coast, Australia | Club

Welcome to Club Forster, Forster, Australia. When people look at the imposing Club Forster building on Strand Street, Forster, and see the lavish interior complete with the modern facilities that members and visitors expect in a Club, it is difficult to understand that, although not an RSL Club, the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airman Imperial League of Australia (RSS & AILIA) played a big part in the history of the Forster Tuncurry Memorial Services Club Ltd. (now known as Club Forster)

For those who may be aware of its early location in Wharf Street Forster, they may recall that the move to Strand Street which took place in 1976, was not completed without incident, and with the feelings of many running high at the time. This story however is not about the Club, but about an almost forgotten building that occupied the space where the present commonwealth Bank, Forster, is today.

It is the story of the Lone Pine Cottage that is behind this writing. Unfortunately RSL records for the period immediately following World War 2 in 1945 are not available which made it necessary to call on the memories and personal experiences of a few remaining RSL members from the period, and for their help the writer thanks them sincerely.

In the early days of the RSL in the Great Lakes area there were two separate sub branches – Forster and Tuncurry. When first formed, the sub branch meetings were held at the Lone Pine Cottage. After a time it was decided that it was necessary to have a permanent venue at which meetings could be held. It was to become known as the Lone Pine Cottage because there was a single pine tree in the front garden, but it was somewhat coincidental that such a tree had become synonymous with the Gallipoli Campaign.

With such a small membership (46), the money for the purchase must have presented the sub branch with what would have seemed an insurmountable problem, but by determination, dedication, hard work and donations the aim was obviously achieved.  It should be remembered that movement between Forster and Tuncurry at the time was by means of a punt which ceased to run at sunset each day. This was probably one of the reasons why there were two separate sub branches so close to each other which would have been a good reason for each to have their own meeting places.

As time went by and the Sub Branches expanded together with the general populations, it was decided to build a Club. The foundations were laid and the Club officially opened by Lt. Gen. Northcott on 3rd November, 1959.