HISTORY OF THE GOLD COAST DISTRICT
In 1999 the Gold Coast District held its inaugural meeting at Surfers Paradise RSL. The birth of the District was not easy but the baby was delivered in good health, kicking and screaming and with an enormous will to grow.
Ross Eastgate chaired and Glen Mylne LLB(Hons) took the role of Secretary. and in March 2000 the first Annual General Meeting was held at Currumbin/Palm Beach RSL Club. The Sub Branches that comprised the District at that time were Surfers Paradise, Beenleigh, Mudgeeraba, Currumbin/Palm Beach, Burleigh Heads, Oxenford/Coomera, Robina, and Runaway Bay.
The first elected District President was Ross Eastgate with Vice President Glen Mylne, Secretary, Norm Davis Treasurer, Ivan Ray Collison (RIP)
Ross Eastgate vacated the position of President half way through 2000 at which time Glen Mylne took over the office of District President. In 2001, Glen Mylne remained as District President and was supported by Senior Vice President Zeke Wulff, Vice President Welfare Neil Harcourt,Vice President Membership Alan Ross, Secretary Bill Brydon (RIP) and Treasurer Ivan Ray Collison (RIP).
Robina Sub Branch was closed in 2003
Southport Sub Branch transferrred to Gold Coast District in 2004
In August 2002, after much negotiating with State Branch by some very determined people, the Gold Coast District was granted permission to conduct the Girl in a Million Quest and a committee comprising Co-ordinator, Betty Robinson, Chairman Tony Stepney and committee members Anne Harris, Vicky Gaffney, Jane Smith Cynthia and Ewan Munro, and Phyllis Renwick set about looking for entrants for the 2003 fundraising year.
In 2004, Norm Davis resigned as District Secretary and Ray Collison resigned as Treasurer. Betty Robinson was employed by the District as Secretary/Teasurer at the District Conference held March 2004..
In 2004, Gold Coast District entrant Miss Tabatha Bergin was crowned Girl in a Million and in 2007/8 GCD entrant Miss Kelly Anne Taylor was crowned Girl in a Million.
In 2005 Ralph Thompson took on the role of Vice President Veterans' Support with the retirement from Council of Neil Harcourt. and in 2007, Peter Franklin was elected District President with Trevor McGrath as Senior Vice President. In 2008, Norm Kelly was elected as Senior Vice President with the rest of the Executive remaining the same until 2009 when Mr Ralph Thompson took on the role of Senior Vice President as well as VP Welfare
In 2006 Tamborine Mountain RSL Sub Branch transferred to the Gold Coast District and in 2007 Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch also transferred to GCD.
In 2007, Gold Coast District hosted its first State Congress at Southport RSL Memorial Club.
In 2009, Oxenford/Coomera RSL Sub Branch was renamed North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch.
In July of 2009, The position of District Secretary/Treasurer became full time with additional responsibiliies that included Membership administration. Consequently, the position of Vice President(Membership) which had been occupied by Mr Alan Ross, was abolished at the 2010 Annual District Congress. Mr Alan Ross was the last remaining District founding member to remain on District Council.
In November of 2009, Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch was renamed Twin Towns RSL Sub Branch.
The District applied for Incorporation in January 2010 and official approval to Incorporate was granted 5th March 2010.
The District was also granted Deductible Gift Recipient Status by the ATO in March 2010. This meant that donations over $2 for the Parcel program became Tax Deductible.
In March 2010, the District took delivery of a KIA Carnival (8 seater) which was to be used for Welfare and other purposes as required.
February 12th 2011 saw a change in the District Executive with Peter Franklin and Ralph Thompson both standing down from their positons. Selwyn Hannant and Norm Kelly nominated for the position of District President with Selwyn Hannant receiving the majority vote. The position of Senior Vice President was filled by John Brookes from Tamborine Mountain and Vice President (Veterans' Support) by Mike Fitzgerald, Surfers Paradise.
In July 2011 approval was confirmed for Twin Towns Sub Branch to revert to the name of Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RSL Sub Branch.
October 10th 2011: The Gold Coast District office moved into rooms on Level 1/10 Welch Street, Southport.The rooms also had space allocated for use by the District President and a District Welfare Advocate.
