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The clubrooms of the Maungaturoto Memorial Returned and Service Association (MMRSA) are looking revitalised after a full exterior renovation featuring bold new colours and eye-catching murals that brighten the building at 115 Hurndall Street.
MMRSA secretary David Gunson said the project was made possible thanks to the support of several local community groups.
He said the Maungaturoto Op Shop, Buffalo Lodge, Maungaturoto Residents Association and Maungaturoto Motorcycles all contributed resources towards the street appeal for the clubrooms, as the RSA could not have covered the full cost on its own.
“The mural idea has been around for a while, with RSAs up and down the country using murals to signal that they have something new to offer their communities,” Gunson says.
“We thought that was overdue in Maungaturoto, as last year marked our 80th year. There were delays due to weather, but each wall took about a week to complete.”
Funding was also directed towards improvements inside the building. The kitchen has been revamped, the menu refreshed and the interior updated, alongside stronger promotion of the club’s activities and services.
“Most people think of RSAs only on Anzac Day, or as an exclusive club,” Gunson said. “The MMRSA is on the main street through town, so it should make a statement about the energy of the community.”
He noted that clubs across the country face increasing competition from commercial establishments, shifting demographics and rising operational costs.
“Many RSAs survive month by month.
“Because the MMRSA is maintained by enthusiastic volunteers, it has managed to keep its doors open even in tough times.”
Gunson also emphasised the importance of understanding the past to appreciate the present. RSAs throughout New Zealand continue to uphold values such as honouring veterans, preserving family connections and heritage, offering hospitality, and providing a place where old friends can reconnect while new ones are made.
