Archive for year: 2026

Rolling Into Friendship and Fun

Steve and Rhonda Schom found their way to lawn bowls at Revesby Workers Bowling Club after plenty of encouragement—two years’ worth—from Club coach Col Flack, who used to play golf with Steve. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion, prompting Steve to swap the fairway for the greens.

A lifelong sportsman, Steve has played everything from cricket and basketball to hockey and golf, but says it’s the people that make bowls truly rewarding. He’s built strong friendships and enjoys the mix of social play and competition within the club and across the region.

Rhonda joined a year later and quickly settled into the welcoming women’s bowling group. Together, they’ve embraced the game both socially and competitively. “It’s something we can enjoy together,” Steve said. “That’s what makes it special.” The pair agree the club’s sense of community is what stands out most. “It’s a great club to belong to—the sport is enjoyable, and the people are fantastic. We’d definitely recommend giving it a go,” they said. Their enthusiasm has already delivered results, with Steve recording a strong 34–5 win alongside Ross Gauge in the Minor Pairs. Both Steve and Rhonda also took part in the 2026 Pennants season, enjoying the camaraderie and competition.

With social bowls running throughout the week and twilight sessions in summer, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re returning from injury, looking for a new challenge, or keen to meet new people, lawn bowls offers something for everyone. Find out more about Lawn Bowls at https://revesbygreens.com.au/

Standing Tall: Inspiring Change in Young Lives

Revesby Workers’ Club is committed to supporting youth mental health, this year the club has supported Stand Tall – Australia’s flagship Youth mental Health event with a $20,000 ClubGRANTS donation and on-the-ground volunteer assistance.

The contribution enabled Stand Tall Australia to deliver a large-scale, high-impact event, reaching thousands of young people, educators and community leaders. The 2026 event featured a strong line-up of speakers including James Chapman, Jessica Watson OAM, Emma Carey, Duku Forè and Michael Crossland, each sharing powerful personal stories of overcoming adversity and building resilience. Drawing on lived experience—from elite sport and extreme challenge to personal trauma and recovery—the speakers delivered practical messages centred on mental health, self-belief and positive life choices, creating a highly relatable and impactful experience for students and educators alike.

The program’s impact was best reflected in the words of one student who attended: “I have some things going on in my life, but after hearing the speakers I have hope that things will get better. Thank you so much, I’m so glad I got to attend Stand Tall.”

Award-Winning Impact: Changing Lives Through Sport

Revesby Workers’ Club has been recognised on a state stage, named Winner of Fostering Grassroots Sport at the 2026 ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards— an achievement made more meaningful among a strong field of 18 submissions from 17 clubs across NSW, each showcasing the important role clubs play in supporting grassroots sport.

The award acknowledges the Club’s impactful partnership with FosterCare FC, an initiative changing the lives of children in out-of-home care through access to grassroots sport. Many of these young people face significant challenges, including financial hardship, disrupted schooling, trauma and limited support networks, often missing out on opportunities others take for granted.

Through this partnership, Revesby Workers’ Club has helped remove key barriers to participation by funding essential costs such as registrations, uniforms and equipment, while also supporting the coordination between carers, caseworkers and local sporting clubs.

The impact extends far beyond the playing field. For many participants, it’s their first experience of being part of a team—offering a sense of belonging, routine and stability during a challenging time in their lives. The program builds confidence, resilience and creates meaningful social connections, helping young people develop both on and off the field.

Revesby Workers’ Club celebrates the achievements of all nominated and award-winning clubs for their commitment to community and meaningful change.

Real Support, Real Impact: Domestic Violence Partnerships

Revesby Workers’ Club has committed $55,000 across three organisations working on the frontline of domestic and family violence prevention and support. Through the ClubGRANTS program, the funding targets initiatives that prioritise safety, dignity and early intervention.

A $15,000 contribution has been provided to Justice Support Centre – WDVCAS (Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service) to support the Safe at Home program. Delivered in partnership with the Bankstown Police Domestic Violence Team, the initiative provides tailored home security systems for up to 77 high-risk victim-survivors.

The program is designed to help individuals and families remain safety in their own homes, reducing the need to relocate in times of crisis. Importantly, it also strengthens crucial evidence collection and enables faster responses from support services and police, allowing for earlier intervention when it matters most. By combining practical safety measures with coordinated support, Safe at Home offers a critical layer of protection for those in vulnerable situations.

The Club has also contributed a further $15,000 to the StandByU Foundation to support its Safety Shield Initiative. This program centres on a discreet, wearable personal safety device that allows individuals at risk to instantly alert their chosen support network at the press of a button. The technology is designed to be simple and accessible, ensuring help is always within reach and creating an opportunity to intervene before situations escalate.

A further $25,000 has been provided to DV Safe Phone, an organisation dedicated to repurposing unused mobile phones into vital lifelines for those experiencing domestic violence. The initiative recognises that access to a safe, reliable mobile phone can be life-saving—providing a secure connection to emergency services, support organisations, family and friends when it matters most.

Revesby Workers’ Club is proud to support DV Safe Phone not only through funding, but also as an official collection point—one of more than 1,500 nationwide and among a limited number of locations within the Canterbury-Bankstown area. Community members are encouraged to donate their old devices at the Club’s Tarro Avenue Reception or at the Coles Service Desk and Revesby Village Centre, where phones are securely collected and assessed.

Through these partnerships, Revesby Workers’ Club is delivering practical, on-the-ground solutions that support safety and early intervention. By investing in initiatives that provide immediate assistance and long-term support, the Club continues to play an active role in addressing domestic and family violence and strengthening the wellbeing of its community.

Purple Friday: A Year of Purpose, Progress

May marks 12 months since Revesby Workers’ Club launched the Purple Friday initiative, a bold commitment to our staff, members and community to raise awareness of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence (DFSV) and strengthen support for those impacted. What began as a visible symbol of solidarity has evolved into a whole‑of‑organisation movement for education, prevention and genuine cultural change.

Inspired by the actions of Cherry Street Sports Club in Ballina, CEO Scott Bennetts and Chief People Officer Sharyn Buhagiar championed this initiative with a shared belief in creating a workplace—and a community—where safety, respect and support are not merely encouraged but absolutely non‑negotiable.

Together, they brought to life a comprehensive approach grounded in the Club’s Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Action Plan, a framework that formalised our commitments, actions and long‑term objectives.

Over the past year, more than 250 staff members have completed formal DFSV awareness training. This equips every team member with the ability to recognise warning signs, provide appropriate support and adopt a culture that does not tolerate violence in any form.

Purple Friday is also a Club‑wide visual statement. Each Friday, staff proudly wear their purple shirts—symbolising strength, courage and dignity—to show solidarity with survivors and spark meaningful conversations about respectful relationships.

To extend the visibility of the initiative beyond staff, the Club installed Purple Benches at both the Tarro Avenue and Brett Street entrances. These benches serve as permanent reminders of our stance against domestic and family violence, encouraging reflection, awareness and community connection.

They represent more than a symbol—they reinforce that Revesby Workers’ is a safe place to seek help and an active ally in ending violence.

Purple Friday is deeply connected to our longstanding relationship with Biyani House – Revesby Women’s Shelter, the only crisis refuge for women and children in the Canterbury‑Bankstown LGA. With domestic violence reports rising 17.1% in our LGA and 45% of homelessness cases linked to DFV, the need for support has never been greater. Through strong partnerships and continued advocacy, the Club is contributing to life‑changing services, including the shelter’s recent major redevelopment that will enable them to support even more families in crisis.

In November 2025, during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, the Club was featured across the Nine Network as part of a national TV documentary called Helping Hands. The segment highlighted Purple Friday and showcased how the initiative is driving cultural awareness, reducing stigma and promoting respectful relationships within both the workplace and the broader community.

Twelve months later, Purple Friday stands as a powerful reflection of who we are as an organisation. Every staff member—from the front desk to senior leadership—has embraced the initiative with sincerity and pride. Together, we have created an environment where education, empathy and support are embedded in daily practice.

The Club’s message remains clear and unwavering:

REVESBY WORKERS’ CLUB
Say YES to Respectful Relationships.
Say NO to Violence.
Let’s continue making a difference—together.