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Archive for year: 2024

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Directors Report November 2024

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Directors Report November 2024

Nearing the end of my second year as a Director of Revesby Workers’ Club, it continues to be a privilege to work with the Board to serve our members and staff. It is often challenging, but such a positive experience is made easier by a combination of a great leadership team under our CEO Scott Bennetts, and all the fantastic staff that make up our club.

Like many, with the completion of the Function Centre renovations including the Whitlam Theatre, I greatly anticipate seeing members and visitors enjoying the beautiful new facilities. This was a major project expertly and professionally delivered by our management team. In general, I can see many exciting events planned across the club over the coming months through the upcoming holiday season.

From a Board perspective, I will continue to collaborate with fellow board members to focus on several priorities. These priorities include supporting our CEO and his team, sustaining our club as a leader in the industry, and making the best decisions in the interest of the club’s future. This also extends to the value and priority we place on all club employees in protecting our positive culture. Given my long history as part of Revesby Workers’ before joining the Board, I also have a deep appreciation of the relationships with all our wonderful sub-clubs and the benefits these can have in building life-long associations.

At the time of writing, of course, we face the stepping down of our President Daryl Melham, the heart and soul of the club for such a long time. To say he will be missed is of course a huge understatement. There will be much more to be said as we celebrate his time of service, and I’m sure his involvement and support for the club will continue.

With regard to sub-clubs, I look forward to giving ongoing support when needed. Lawn Bowls enters a new era with the unification of the Men’s and Ladies Clubs. The volunteer committee members work tirelessly to run regular events throughout the year out of Revesby Greens at Spence Street. ‘Twilight Bowls’ is one such social event that commences with Daylight Saving, so if you would like to get involved you would be welcomed with open arms. The Ladies Indoor Bowls are undoubtedly looking forward to resuming play in the new Whitlam Theatre. Billiards and Snooker are looking forward to hosting the Shire Singles event. Darts had a new Club Champion christened in John Savage, and are heading towards the Doubles Championships, and the Spearfishing Club continues to proudly fly the club colours – check them out on social media if you are interested.

Finally, I look forward to being a part of a club that continues to provide significant financial help across our community. I also hope and trust that we all will have a safe and happy Christmas and holiday season.

David Raper, Director

Welcome to the last journal of the year and an update as to what’s on offer at the club this holiday season.

Our new Function Centre and renovated Whitlam Theatre, located on Level 1 of the Club, were formally opened in late October with an event that officially recognised and honoured the long-term service of the club’s immediate past president Daryl Melham AM. We thank him for his service to our club, the industry in general, and to our community.

Daryl’s guidance has been instrumental in developing a club whose major focus is providing for its members and community.

With our community in mind, Revesby Workers’ Club has been committed to investing in education for many years, an incentive I am passionate about from my background in both education and community service. Our Tertiary Scholarship program has been running for 27 years and has provided financial support to over 670 students in achieving their academic goals. As Chair of the Education Committee, I congratulate all HSC students on completing their studies and encourage them to apply for our scholarship program. Applications can be submitted through our website.

Another longstanding initiative is our School Subsidy program, which began in 1986 as an annual contribution of $11,000 to 22 local schools and has since expanded to offer support to 32 local schools. Last year, the Club contributed over $65,000 in crucial funding through this program, enabling schools to enhance their facilities, introduce new programs, and provide additional resources. This ongoing program directly improves the quality of education and opportunities available to students in our community year after year.

As we head into the next few months the club will be offering a great range of festive activities and services from Photos with Santa, Kids Toy Raffles, Ham and Pork Raffles, our annual Worker’s Giving Tree and Health Mates Food Drive supporting Padstow Community Care as well as Christmas Day lunches for family celebrations.

The lineup of 2025 events and activities can also be found in this issue of the Journal, from Australia Day, Valentine’s Day and International Women’s Day, all designed to bring our club community together.

I would like to wish all our members and staff a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please take care throughout the holiday season.

Linda Downey, Director

Empowering Our Community: ClubGRANTS 2024

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ClubGRANTS 2024


The ClubGRANTS program, a collaboration between local clubs and the NSW government, plays an essential role in community development by providing much-needed funding for projects that directly benefit the local population. This year, the Canterbury-Bankstown ClubGRANTS Committee received an overwhelming 301 grant applications, with requests totalling more than $7 million from community groups in need of support. After a rigorous evaluation process, 97 deserving projects were selected for support, resulting in a collective investment of over $2.5 million from 12 clubs throughout the Local Government Area (LGA).

Revesby Workers’ Club took pride in contributing to 15 of these community projects, focusing on a diverse range of sectors that meet the needs of vulnerable groups and enhance community well-being. The funded initiatives span across vital areas such as, Community Welfare and Social Services, Family Support, Community Health Services and Health Promotion Initiatives, Community Education and Development, Aged, Disability, and Youth Services.

These contributions align with Revesby Workers’ Club’s core mission to give back to the community in meaningful ways and the Club continues to be a strong advocate for community-driven projects and remains committed to making a difference in the lives of Canterbury-Bankstown residents through sustainable investment in local initiatives to build a healthier, more inclusive, and supportive community.

  • The organisations supported include:
  • Padstow Community Care
  • Scope Disability Services
  • Humanity Matters Inc
  • Revesby Uniting Church
  • East Hills District Men’s Shed Association
  • Morris Children’s Fund Incorporated
  • Bankstown Koori Elders Group Aboriginal Corporation
  • Mercy Works Limited
  • Coolaburoo Neighbourhood Centre Inc
  • Biyani House Revesby Women’s Shelter
  • Broderick Gillawarna School
  • Whitlam Institute
  • Caroline Chisholm School

School Subsidy Success Stories: Menai Public School

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School Subsidy


One of the standout success stories from our School Subsidy Program is Menai Public School, which received funding to purchase two Main Learning Displays for its K-2 classrooms. Given the diverse needs of their students, schools like Menai often face tough choices between investing in essential technology and allocating resources toward well-being programs. This funding provided a solution, allowing the school to enhance the learning experience without compromising student support services.

The interactive learning displays have transformed classroom engagement, equipping teachers with powerful tools to deliver high-quality educational programs. Each setup includes an interactive panel, a mini PC, a webcam, and a wireless keyboard and mouse, offering a comprehensive, user-friendly solution for both educators and students.

With the large screens and integrated speakers, teachers can present a wide range of digital learning materials, use digital inking tools to annotate directly on the screen, and connect seamlessly to cloud-based applications. This technology enables students to interact with their lessons in dynamic new ways, fostering greater engagement and supporting diverse learning styles. By bridging the gap between traditional teaching methods and modern technology, Menai Public School has been able to create a more immersive and interactive learning environment, significantly enriching the educational experience for its young students.

Over the past year, the Revesby Workers’ School Subsidy Program committed $65,580 to various initiatives aimed at enhancing student outcomes.

A Legacy of Art

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Bankstown Art Society 64th Annual Exhibition supporting Local Artists


Founded in 1958 by renowned artist and tutor Ronald Peters, the Bankstown Art Society stands as one of Sydney’s oldest art societies. With over 200 members, the Society has played a pivotal role in building artistic expression and creativity within the community. Its first exhibition took place in 1959, and since then, the Society has grown considerably, thanks to enduring support from Bankstown Council, local community groups, and local clubs including Revesby Workers’ Club.

A major milestone in the Society’s history came in 2009 when the federal government announced a $3.15 million grant for a community infrastructure program including the construction of Bankstown Arts Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to nurture local talent and serve as a cultural hub for the LGA. Daryl Melham AM, a former president of Revesby Workers’ Club expressed his support for the continued development of the Arts Centre, stating, “The centre is already a great place for people to meet, learn, perform and be inspired. This will make Bankstown Arts Centre even better.” In recent years Daryl Melham has been honoured with the position of Gallery Patron – and with the club, sponsored the contemporary submission category for the Society’s 64th Annual Exhibition.

The annual exhibition, a hallmark event for the Society, continues to attract attention from the broader Sydney community. With categories ranging from traditional to contemporary, the exhibition not only highlights the diversity of artistic talent within the Bankstown area but also reinforces the importance of ongoing community and institutional support for the arts.

Revesby Community Op Shop Reopens with Local Support

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A New Beginning: Revesby Community Op Shop Reopens with Local Support


In June 2024, the BEHHA Op Shop in Revesby closed its doors, leaving a significant gap in the community. However, thanks to the dedication of 18 original volunteers, the support of the local community, and funding from Revesby Workers’ Club, the space is now being revitalised under a new name – Revesby Community Op Shop (RECOS).

One of the dedicated volunteers, Judy Camac, reflected on the challenges they’ve encountered while preparing for the reopening, particularly in sourcing new stock and equipment after the original closure left the space empty. Low-cost community shops like RECOS play a vital role in supporting those facing financial hardship, offering affordable goods and providing a sense of community.

RECOS is determined not only to meet the needs of those struggling but also to contribute to the broader community. Once operational, the shop plans to become self-sufficient, using its revenue to continue assisting local groups like Biyani House – Revesby Women’s Shelter and providing essential services to residents in need. With the support of volunteers and the community, RECOS is set to be a cornerstone for local support and outreach.

“We want to keep providing an inclusive, welcoming space for everyone, especially for those doing it tough,” Judy added. “If anyone has donations, please hold onto them until we’re ready to start collecting ahead of our grand reopening.” Please contact recos2024@gmail.com before making donations.

With the community and Revesby Workers’ Club standing behind them, the Revesby Community Op Shop is ready for a new chapter in supporting residents and building a sense of belonging.

The President’s Final Report

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After over four decades on the Board of Directors for Revesby Workers’ Club Group, Daryl officially announced his retirement as Club President at the Annual General Meeting on Sunday 27 October.

Daryl’s dedicated service on the Board of Directors and his significant contributions have been instrumental in shaping Revesby Workers’ Club Group into the progressive community-based organisation it is today.

In recognition of this, the newly renovated function centre was named ‘The Melham Function Centre’ in his honour.

‘I sincerely wish to thank the Revesby Workers’ Club for the naming of “The MELHAM Function Centre”. The family and I are honored and most appreciative.’ said Daryl in his closing speech on Sunday.

Click here to see Daryl’s final report as Club President

Annual Greenskeeper Day 2024

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Raising Over $5,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia!


This year, Head Greenskeeper Craig Tuohy successfully rallied the support of over 60 bowlers for a friendly (yet competitive) game of social bowls. Thanks to Craig’s dedication, this event, now in its 7th year, continues to grow in impact and importance.

Craig’s commitment to this cause is deeply personal, inspired by his father’s successful recovery from prostate cancer. His relentless efforts to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research and support are truly commendable.

The event was made possible with the support of the Men’s and Ladies Bowls Clubs and the generous sponsorship of First Class Tree Service.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia works tirelessly to reduce the burden of prostate cancer for all Australians, focusing on research, prevention, early detection, improved treatment, and world-class psychosocial care.

Congratulations to Craig and all involved for another successful Greenskeeper Day and thank you to all the community members to who attended in support of the worthy cause.


Revesby Workers Swim Club

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Revesby Workers Swim Club

As we dive into the Winter Short Course competition for Revesby Workers Swim Club and before highlighting our incredible results so far, I’d like to thank Jane Davis and Gail Cauchi (Swimming Club Life Member) for their hard work and dedication as they stepped down from the committee at our Annual General Meeting in May 2024. A big thank you also goes to our 13 committee members who have taken on roles within the swim club.

In May, the club participated in the Metropolitan Southwest Carnival with 76 competitors over the two-day event. We saw many personal bests, amazing results, and plenty of smiles. Special congratulations to Joash Dante for breaking the 50-meter freestyle record and Blake Waugh for setting a new 50-metre backstroke record.

A huge congratulations to Abbey Connor for her outstanding achievement at the recent Australian Olympic Swimming Trials, where she placed second in the 200m butterfly. Abbey began her swimming journey with Revesby Workers Swim Club under head coach Alex Clarke.


Finishing fourth at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 at just 17 years of age. Now swimming with the USC Spartans in Queensland, we wish Abbey all the best of luck at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Congratulate the following swimmers for qualifying for the NSW squads from their National performances in April:

  • NSW Open Water Squad: Nicholas Macher
  • NSW Sharks Squad: Jiazi Chen, Lola Pittams, Marli Broughton, Samuel Skrabak, Jacob Whitton.

Finally, good luck to all our swimmers competing at the Metropolitan competition in July and State Championships in August/September.

Scouts Australia Expedition

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Scouts Australia Expedition

During the April School holidays local Scout and Revesby Workers’ Football Club member, Cobalt Walsh, led a group of 5 other Scouts on a hiking expedition along the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia.

The Scouts are all attached to 1st Picnic Point Scout Group and aged 14 – 15 years old. The expedition was largely adult-free! The Scouts were responsible for planning the hike, including the itinerary, activity plan, risk assessment, funding, transport, equipment, and food. The group completed stages 1-3 of the trail that runs between Alice Springs and Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell Ranges. They covered a distance of 70km over 5 days through challenging terrain while carrying all their supplies on their backs.

Before and after the hike they also visited the Partjima Sound & Light Festival, had a tour of Alice Springs Telegraph Station, a guided walk with a NT Parks Ranger at the sacred site of Emily Gap, and participated in an Aboriginal cultural education session with Traditional Land Owners.

The adventure was supported by the Dick and Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund and Revesby Workers’ Club, to encourage young people to set greater adventurous challenges and goals that will develop their self confidence, resilience, and leadership capabilities.

Joining the Lawn Bowls Community: A Personal Journey – Julia Henry

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Joining the Lawn Bowls Community: A Personal Journey – Julia Henry

Revesby Greens stands as a local community hub, home to both the Revesby Workers Men’s and Ladies Bowling Clubs. These clubs not only provide a venue for engaging in lawn bowls but also offer valuable social interaction and physical benefits, especially for the senior community. Julia Henry, a new member, shares her heartwarming journey of finding physical activity and discovering the welcoming community through lawn bowls at Revesby Greens.

“After my partner passed away, I was left feeling alone. I needed to find a way to connect with people again, and that’s when I discovered lawn bowls. It turned out to be the perfect fit. Everyone at the club was so friendly from the start. I’ve made quite a few friends among the ladies there, which has been fantastic. Not to mention, getting out and playing has been great for staying active and enjoying the outdoors.

Deciding to take up lawn bowls wasn’t hard.  It’s a game that’s suited for both the young and the old, and it’s easy to see why it’s loved by so many. It’s given me a chance to meet new people and enjoy some friendly competition, all while getting a bit of exercise in the fresh air. It’s just what I needed to help me find my feet again.” – Julia Henry Revesby Greens continues to be a beacon of community spirit, bringing together individuals of all ages to enjoy the camaraderie and physical activity that lawn bowls offers. Julia’s story is a testament to the club’s supportive environment and the positive community impact.

 

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