Sergeants' Mess

History of the RMC Sergeants' Mess

The RMC Sergeants' Mess was opened by The Right Honourable R.G. Menzies on 25 October 1957. At the time Warrant Officer Class One P.J. Steer was the President of the Mess Committee (PMC). Between 1957 and 2008 there have been 17 PMCs with the position normally being filled by the Regimental Sergeant Major of RMC.

Prior to 1957 the mess was located in three buildings to the North-West of the parade ground until fire destroyed the central building in 1955.

'Rumour has been flourishing for many years, that prior to The Great Fire of 1955, the then Mess Committee had placed a submission to have a new Sergeants' Mess built'.

'Ironically the day after that submission was rejected, The Great Fire occurred'.

The current building has stood since 1957 and has seen numerous upgrades, including the decking; commonly known as the Scheyville Bar, and the ante room extension.

The number of mess members fluctuates with the normal posting cycle but also includes numerous honorary members. The building houses many historic pieces that have been donated over the 50 years along with memorabilia from the Sergeants' Messes of the Officer Cadet School, Portsea and the Officer Training Unit, Scheyville.

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Accommodation and Facilities

Accommodation

The live-in accommodation located within the RMC Sergeants' Mess is limited and is reserved for members posted to the Royal Military College, Duntroon, lodger units, and external instructional and support staff only. WO/SNCO posted to other units in the Canberra area who are MWOD or MWD (U) should not expect accommodation in the RMC Sergeants' Mess.

There are 18 level three rooms for live-in personnel and three level three VIP rooms for visiting RSM (E). All amenities are communal.

Any personnel seeking permanent or transient accommodation in the Mess are to apply through the PMC of the Mess who is the RSM of the Royal Military College.

Facilities

The RMC Sergeants' Mess contains the following facilities:

  1. TV room/Kitchenette;

  2. Dining room;

  3. Live-in dining room;

  4. Bar;

  5. Kitchen;

  6. Toilets;

  7. Children's room;

  8. Pool table;

  9. Dart board; and

  10. Tea and coffee making facilities.

The required standards of behaviour and dress for all areas of the Mess are stipulated in the Sergeants' Mess rules and constitution.

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Mess Committee

Sup Offr - MAJ TBA

Executive Committee:
PMC - WO1 Greg Burns
DPMC - WO1 Simon Renfaer
Secretary - WO2 Dave Allen
Treasurer - WO2 Gary Buttsworth

Committee:
Asst Secretary - SGT Milton Spurway
Asst Treasurer - SGT Kath White
Social - SGT Craig McGrath
Asst Social - SGT Mick Lay
Property - WO2 Evan Kaiser
Asst Property - TBA
Bar/Wines/Messing - SGT Vernon Andrews
Hails/Farewells - SGT Stafford
Asst Hails/Farewells - SGT Adrian Picker
Historian - SGT Carroll
Mess Stirrer - SGT Adrian Ross
Asst Mess Stirrer - SGT Bill Ross
Housing & Grounds - SGT Penna
Asst Housing & Grounds - SGT Craig Crossan