On 15 November 2024, the Melbourne Naval Committee (MNC) entered an agreement with the Box Hill RSL Club to make a number of their meeting and function rooms available (free of charge) to any Victorian-based Navy Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) supported by the MNC.

The objective of this agreement is to provide a central venue for Victorian-based ex-Navy personnel, their descendants and friends to congregate for official meetings or social functions.  Through this, the MNC hopes to perpetuate the sense of camaraderie and mutual support that naval personnel enjoyed while serving in the RAN and allied Navies.

Box Hill RSL was chosen because of its welcoming and modern facilities, ample free under-cover parking, access to public transport (a short walk from the Box Hill railway station on the Belgrave Line), all-abilities access to small and large conference rooms and their ability to cater for private functions and events.  Box Hill has all the facilities you would expect from a large and modern RSL Club, but it also has the ability and willingness to accommodate smaller groups and organisations such as the ex-Navy associations based in and around Melbourne.

All Victorian-based Navy ESOs and their members can access the public facilities provided by the Box Hill RSL (eg. the bars, restaurants, library, memorabilia collection etc) but importantly, they can also access smaller private meeting and functions rooms located on the same level and adjacent to the RSL's B2 car park.

Function Room	Conference Room
Sports Bar

There is no need for individuals or associations to make any special arrangements to access the public areas of the RSL Club other than signing in at the main entrance or showing an RSL membership card and booking a table at their restaurant/bistro if dining.  However, if your association wants to conduct their periodic meetings at Box Hill, you should book one of the conference/function rooms (pictured above) by emailing bookings@boxhillrsl.com.au.  If your association can book all of your meetings for the year in advance, so much the better.

The sports bar and small conference room can easily accommodate 25 people seated at tables and both have modern audio visual facilities should committee members wish to ‘zoom’ into the meeting.  The function room can easily accommodate 100 patrons and can be partitioned off for smaller groups if needed.  Free tea and coffee are available, but more formal morning/afternoon tea arrangements will need to be made with the club's functions teams at bookings@boxhillrsl.com.au. Similarly, end of year luncheons, or other special occasions in one of the private function rooms can be organised, although it will probably be easier and more economical to simply book a table at the club's bistro.

For more information about the facilities available at the Box Hill RSL and to book a table at the bistro, please visit https://boxhillrsl.com.au/

Some of the memorabilia on display at the Box Hill RSL

If the facilities at the Box Hill RSL do not provide all of your association’s needs and you choose to conduct your meetings and reunions elsewhere (and a fee is involved), the MNC will, as in the past, consider submissions to subsidise these costs.

Bookings:
a. Meeting and function rooms:
Via the Functions & Events Manager (Bree Smith):
email: bookings@boxhillrsl.com.au or
phone: (03) 9897 6707 (during normal working hours)

b. Tables for Meals in the Bistro:
Via Bistro: contact@resdiary.com or
Via Reception: reception@boxhillrsl.com.au

Getting to the Box Hill RSL Club (26 Nelson Road, Box Hill, 3128):
a. By Public Transport:
• Catch a train to Box Hill on the Belgrave Line:
• Exit the station on the Main Street side then walk a total of 700 metres (10 mins) via:
Ø northward on Market Street
Ø westward along Whitehorse Road
Ø northward along Nelson Road

b. By Car:
• Drive to 26 Nelson Road, Box Hill, 3128
• Enter the multi-level underground parking station (under the RSL Club)
• Using the ramps, drive down to (& park in) one of the many “free” spaces
• Note: If attending a meeting or function in the Function Room, Conference Room or Sports Bar, recommend you park on the “B2” level which provides direct (all abilities) access to these rooms.