Archive for month: January, 2026

Dear Members,

We hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and that you welcomed 2026 with open arms. Welcoming a New Year is always an exciting and refreshing time—but it feels especially significant this year as we officially farewell 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS DARYL MELHAM AM– CLUB PATRON

Revesby Workers’ Club is proud to announce Daryl Melham AM as a Patron of the Club, following the Annual General Meeting held in October.

Daryl’s relationship with the Club spans over 50 years – beginning as a Barman and Tray Steward in the 1970s, becoming a member in 1976, and joining the Board of Directors in 1980. His leadership has shaped the Club’s growth and success, serving as Vice President (1982–2010) and President (2010–2024).

His incredible record of service spans more than four decades, including an extraordinary 44 years on the Board of Directors. During this time, he provided steady leadership through periods of major redevelopment and guided significant community-focused initiatives that helped shape the organisation’s long-term success.

A committed advocate for the local area, he worked tirelessly to support charities, schools and sporting groups, ensuring they received the resources and recognition needed to thrive. Through his oversight of the ClubGRANTS program, he helped direct millions of dollars in contributions back into the community, strengthening essential services and supporting countless local projects.

Beyond his direct community involvement, he further served the public as the Federal Member of Parliament for the Seat of Banks from 1990 to 2013. His dedication to public life and the wellbeing of his constituents was recognised nationally when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2017.

Having stepped down from the Board in 2024, the Board unanimously supports this appointment in recognition of his extraordinary commitment and legacy.
Please join us in congratulating Daryl on this well-deserved honour.

MEMBER ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

We were pleased to host our Member Anniversary events on 23 October 2025 in our Melham Function Centre. Our 40-, 50- and 60-year members joined us for an afternoon celebration, while our 25-year members were welcomed at an evening event.

These gatherings provided a wonderful opportunity to connect, reflect, and honour the dedication of our long-standing members. Each recipient received a commemorative certificate and pin, and members celebrating 40, 50 and 60 years were also presented with our True to our Traditions history book on USB.

This year, we were especially proud to acknowledge our 60-year members—an incredible milestone that represents a lifetime of loyalty, connection and contribution to our community. Reaching 60 years of membership is a rare achievement, and we were honoured to celebrate this extraordinary commitment alongside those who have been part of our story for more than half a century.

We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our Marketing and Food & Beverage teams, whose hard work and coordination ensured both events were a great success.

We look forward to celebrating these special milestones with our members again later in the year.

COMMUNITY

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign played a significant role in club activities last November/December reinforcing the Clubs’ commitment to promoting respectful relationships and supporting those impacted by domestic violence.

On November 24 we marked the first day of the campaign with a significant milestone—the reopening of Biyani House – Revesby Women’s Shelter. In partnership with Women’s Community Shelters, Biyani House, State Government, and local organisations, the Club celebrated the launch of a new core and cluster refuge. The Club provides the property for the shelter, while the NSW Government invested $2.29 million to deliver four self-contained units and refurbished facilities within the house, creating a safe haven for women and children escaping violence.

Our staff proudly participated in Canterbury-Bankstown’s Tug O’ War Cup, an event designed to promote respectful relationships and raise awareness about ending domestic violence. Competing with enthusiasm, our mixed team secured second place, demonstrating both strength and solidarity for this important cause.

Early December marked the release of a special Purple Shirts Helping Hands episode, which aired on Channel 9, aligning with the 16 Days of Activism and amplifying education around domestic violence prevention.

BANKSTOWN STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

The Club proudly congratulates Tony Finneran on receiving the “Improving Life After Stroke Award” at the 2025 National Stroke Awards. Tony’s dedication to supporting stroke survivors has had a profound impact, helping individuals regain independence and confidence. As a long-standing Committee member of the Bankstown Stroke Support Group, (a Revesby Workers’ sub-club) Tony has championed inclusive activities, peer support, and greater awareness of stroke recovery needs—creating a welcoming community for those affected.

CHARLOTTE’S WISH WALK

Revesby Workers’ proudly supported Charlotte’s Wish Walk Week, inspired by the memory of 12-year-old Charlotte O’Brien, whose tragic passing in 2024 highlighted the urgent need to address bullying and youth mental health. The Club hosted the launch walk on November 3 and a Purple Friday walk on November 7, raising $14,945 through staff and community efforts. This contributed to a campaign total of $48,947. See page xx for the full story.