A Last Look at Bankstown RSL Before Demolition
Before its demolition, Bankstown RSL Club was a social landmark in Sydney—a place where families gathered, live performances entertained crowds, and the clinking of glasses filled the air. But like many aging institutions, time eventually caught up with it. In early 2019, the club closed its doors for the last time, making way for redevelopment.
Knowing the club’s deep connection to the community, Poly Australia wanted to ensure its history wouldn’t be forgotten. That’s where I came in. As part of a collaboration, I had the opportunity to photograph the RSL in its final days, capturing the eerie beauty of the abandoned space before it was lost forever.
Frozen in Time
Walking through the empty rooms of Bankstown RSL was like stepping into a time capsule.
The bar, once alive with conversation, stood deserted, its garish multi-patterned carpet still stretching across the floor, illuminated only by the soft light filtering through dust-covered windows.
The swimming pool, where families once splashed and played, was drained—just a single towel left flung over a rail served as a haunting reminder of its past.
And the main stage, once the heart of live entertainment, now had nothing but a few empty rubbish bins, waiting for the inevitable wrecking ball.
“It’s the frozen moment in life, of the past—how a place was—and captured in the period between when it’s first left and when it gets trashed and covered in graffiti.” — Brett Patman, Lost Collective
A Collaboration to Remember
While this was a personal project for me, it was also a significant milestone in Lost Collective’s journey.
Jay Carter, Poly Australia’s sales and marketing director, shared his appreciation for the project:
“I’ve always admired Brett’s work—he has a real eye for capturing the beauty within the dereliction of old buildings. We wanted to do something to respect the site, to pay homage to it, while also helping support a talented independent artist. I love the photos he’s taken.”
As a result, my images are now part of an exhibition in the developer’s display showroom for the new apartment complex, and they will also find a permanent home in the new Bankstown RSL Club.
The End of an Era
Founded in 1928, Bankstown RSL had a long and vibrant history, reaching its peak in the 1950s and 60s as one of NSW’s largest clubs. However, by 2017, financial struggles led to the sale of half the club’s land to developers, sealing its fate. The original club was demolished in March 2019, with a new venue opening nearby on January 21, 2019.
While change is inevitable, these photographs preserve the final chapter of an institution that meant so much to so many.
“The photos are lovely,” said Scott Dickson, CEO of Bankstown RSL. “We’re over the moon with them. The photos are probably better than the actual conditions of the place when we left!”
See the Full Feature
My photos and the full story were featured on Commercial Real Estate.
Shop the Collection
Want to own a piece of history? Explore the Bankstown RSL print collection featuring museum-quality wall art prints that capture its legacy. Each print preserves a moment in time before it was lost forever.
Leave a comment (all fields required)