MARIBYRNONG-MAIDSTONE RSL will shut down at the end of April, after the club discovered it was $57,000 in debt.

And in a further shocking turn, members could be responsible for paying back some of the money.

Anzac House CEO Mike Annett told the club on Saturday it would cease its day-to-day operations immediately and would be only allowed to carry out booked functions until 30 April, giving the RSL a chance to stage one last Anzac Day ceremony.

Mr Annett revealed the club had been trading while insolvent for months, with the RSL owing $57,422.

Rob Gay from Anzac House told the RSL that the club was investigating the possibility that up to $33,000 was missing from the club’s patriotic welfare funds and that its bank draft had been extended by $24,000.

Anzac House has launched court action over a former employee in a bid to recover the $33,000, but told members there was a chance they would have to pay back the overdraft debt if the bank would not let it slide.

Recent members, including one who joined less than a week ago, were horrified to learn that they too could incur part of the debt.

Anzac House has reported the matter to Consumer Affairs, but so far police have not been notified. Mr Annett branded the incident a highly embarrassing affair. President Keith Walsh apologised to the club following the announcement.

“I deeply regret everything,” he said.

“But given the lack of memberships and community support, I think it’s inevitable that we would have closed.”

Members were told that their memberships could be transferred to another sub-branch. The RSL’s memorabilia will be distributed among other RSL’s in region three.