DUBBO RSL Memorial Club has received a prestigious industry award for their strong sense of community in the central west region.
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The Community Spirit Ambassador of the Year for the Central West was awarded to the Rhino Award-winning business for their commitment to getting staff involved in the spirit of giving.
The announcement was made at the inaugural Clubs and Community gala event at Sydney, which recognised the contribution clubs made to local communities across NSW.
Dubbo RSL has raised more than $21,000 for charities including Camp Quality, the Early Childhood Intervention Centre and towards cancer research.
The club was also recognised for their 'Learning to Swim' programs, which has helped more than 1000 locals learn how to swim, something secretary manager Geoffrey Holland was delighted about.
"I wasn't sure of the criteria but it felt a bit like a maiden horse race.
"The award, to us, was untested and untried but we were delighted to be recognised for our unique contributions to Clubs NSW," Mr Holland said.
In its 66th year, the Dubbo RSL has excelled in staff volunteer donation programs and has had positive feedback about their 25-metre indoor swimming pool.
Services such as the pool are something the expert panel (including Paralympian Kurt Fearnley) took into account when selecting them with the community spirit award.
Mr Holland said the pool's impact on the community had been demonstrated 100 per cent with its various services such as the Learning to Swim with a Disability, Adult Learn to Swim and Water Safety for Pre-School and Infants programs.
"I give kudos to the community who help make the Dubbo RSL club still relevant even after 66 years," he said.
Clubs NSW chief executive officer Anthony Ball said the Dubbo RSL staff were extremely proud of the contribution made by themselves and the club.
"This program wouldn't even be possible if the Dubbo RSL hadn't seen the need for an indoor swimming pool in the community and decided to get on with the job of building one," he said.
"It's stories likes this, the ones that make a real difference to people's lives yet are so often overlooked, that we wanted to celebrate at the Clubs and Community gala."
The gala event was attended by NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell as well as Hospitality and Tourism minister George Souris and Citizenship and Communities Minister Victor Dominello.
