Balgowlah RSL Memorial Club is the only major club in Seaforth. It was originally built by volunteers from the Balgowlah Seaforth Clontarf RSL Sub Branch which began in 1945 and met in the Balgowlah Masonic Lodge in Whittle Avenue. 

The plan to start the Sub Branch was formulated by a few Diggers on the Manly Ferry on their way to work. Among others, there were Bob Miller, Merv Payne and Doc Bennett.

From very small beginnings, raising money through raffles and dinner dances, they were able to acquire some land on Ethel St. Manly Council sold it to them for a 1% deposit with a requirement that the remaining 7,000 pounds be repaid “whenever you can”. The members cleared the land themselves and worked on weekends to slowly build the first Balgowlah RSL Memorial Hall.

There were donations of building supplies from friends and supporters. One of which was Paynter and Dixon which supplied the bricks and mortar. Our relationship with Paynter Dixon Constructions endures and they were the builder for the club’s most recent renovation. Some of the funding was provided by Millers Brewery, on condition that they be the beer of choice for the new club.