Eden-Roskill RSA slides toward closure

The Eden Roskill RSA has not been open since April 4. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

As thousands prepare for Anzac Day, one of Auckland's best known RSAs is facing closure.

The Eden-Roskill Returned Services Association, in Balmoral, is believed to be $400,000 in debt.

The club has not been open since April 4, and RSAs in Pt Chevalier, New Lynn and Avondale have offered to transfer Eden-Roskill memberships.

One Eden-Roskill official spoken to by the Herald yesterday refused to confirm the total debt, saying it was "club business".

"I am not saying it is $400,000, and I am not saying it isn't."

A special general meeting is planned for April 30, where Eden-Roskill's fate will be decided.

Until then, it remains in limbo, not trading but not yet closed down.

Auckland District RSA vice-president of welfare Matt McMillan said he was not prepared to say what had gone wrong.

"I can't confirm anything to do with that ... There will be nobody, and there is nobody" who can comment.

However, he did confirm no Eden-Roskill members were left out of pocket by the closure.

"If they have paid their membership for the year, they can transfer to any RSA for the next year."

Membership includes access to a range of services in addition to social activities.

Mr McMillan will lead the club's April 30 meeting.

It is understood that former Eden-Roskill club president Leonard Tolley outlined the club's financial woes at a meeting on March 26 but that club members rejected an executive board motion recommending it cease trading. Mr McMillan said Mr Tolley - who resigned his position after that meeting - was not in a position to comment on the club's position.

"He's nobody now."

Avondale RSA secretary-manager Bob Firth said about 20 former Eden-Roskill members and associate members had taken up the offer of free membership, most of them "returned, or service personnel".

"We didn't want to see them out on the street."

Mr Firth said he had heard rumours that Eden-Roskill had been "going down for a number of years" but would not speculate on "hearsay".

New Lynn RSA secretary Tony Prendergast was not sure how many members he had signed to his club in total, though seven members had enlisted with the club in the past two days.

The Companies Office website shows Eden-Roskill RSA was first registered as an incorporated society in 1972. It was struck off in 2003.

Anzac commemorations will still be held in the area.

Eden-Albert Community Board ward manager Denise McKenzie said mid-morning services would be held at Mt Roskill and Mt Eden.

However, returned serviceman would only get tea or coffee and "maybe some scones" after the event, instead of the usual cooked meal and a few drinks.

Anzac Day commemorations will start at Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall at 9.30am and at Mt Eden War Memorial Hall at 11am.