Archive for year: 2026

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Pull Up a Chair: The Revesby Men’s Table Movement

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Pull Up a Chair: The Revesby Men’s Table Movement

In a world where men are often encouraged to “tough it out” and keep their feelings to themselves, the Revesby Men’s Table is offering a much‑needed alternative. Launched in February, this local initiative led by local community members, provides a safe, welcoming and supportive space for men to connect, talk openly and build genuine friendships.

While each meeting does involve sharing a meal at Revesby Greens, the Men’s Table is about far more than food. It’s about creating community. It’s a place where men can speak honestly about life’s challenges and successes—conversations many say they rarely have anywhere else. As one member put it: “It’s a great opportunity to get together with a bunch of blokes and talk about stuff you wouldn’t normally talk about.”

The Revesby Men’s Table is open to men of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re dealing with a specific challenge or simply want to connect with others in the community, you’ll find a warm and inclusive group ready to welcome you.

If you’re interested in joining the Revesby Men’s Table, the first step is attending an Entree, which is an easy, relaxed introduction session. You can join an online Entree any fortnight by registering here: https://themenstable.org/entree-online

For more information call 1800 636 782 or email hello@themenstable.org to chat with one of the men involved in the community.


GIVING TO GAIN: A COMMUNITY UNITED FOR IWD 2026

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GIVING TO GAIN: A COMMUNITY UNITED FOR IWD 2026

Since launching in 2021, the Revesby Workers’ International Women’s Day (IWD) event has grown into one of the Club’s most anticipated annual celebrations—an empowering tradition that continues to evolve in scale and significance.

Guided by the 2026 themes of “Give to Gain” and “Balance the Scales,” the March 6 IWD event brought together community members, leaders, and advocates with a shared purpose: to champion gender equality, spotlight women’s achievements, and raise critical funds for Biyani House – Revesby’s Women’s Shelter.

The event welcomed inspiring voices on the main stage, each bringing a powerful message of resilience, leadership and community spirit. Natalie Cooney, widely recognised for her advocacy and influence across business and community sectors, spoke to the strength found in collective generosity. She emphasised that giving across communities delivers more than tangible outcomes—it sparks possibility, strengthens unity and lays the groundwork for lasting change. Equally compelling was Molly Croft, a young leader whose deeply personal story of resilience resonated with the audience. Molly reflected on her Metastatic Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma journey, noting that her illness has never defined her; instead, her strength has been shaped by the women who stand beside her and support her.

Adding even more star power and insight to the event was a special panel discussion featuring two iconic sporting figures. Tarsha Gale, a trailblazer in women’s rugby league whose legacy continues to pave the way for the next generation of female athletes, joined Tom Sermanni, an internationally respected football coach of the Matildas and long‑standing advocate for the advancement of women’s sport. Together, they offered candid perspectives on gender equity in sport, the importance of representation, and the progress still needed to level the playing field—both literally and figuratively.

In a testament to the generosity and spirit of the local community, this year’s IWD event raised over $66,792.95 — the largest amount ever raised since the Revesby Workers’ IWD tradition began. A significant portion of the fundraising success came from the live auction, which was supported with a range of exceptional donations. Contributions from DSA, Canterbury Leagues Club, the Parramatta Eels, the Sydney Roosters, the Matildas, Leagues Club Australia and Nora O Art helped drive bidding to new heights.

The fundraising effort is vital because Biyani House plays an increasingly critical role in supporting women and children escaping domestic and family violence in the Canterbury‑Bankstown region—one of the highest‑need areas in NSW. Since opening, Biyani House delivered life‑changing support, providing over 150 women and children with safety and stability, and delivering 7862 nights of care and protection to families in crisis. Demand continues to grow sharply across the Women’s Community Shelters network, with requests for assistance rising by 20% in the past year, and one in two women seeking crisis accommodation still turned away due to a lack of available beds.

Sharper Tools, Stronger Community – $9K Boost for Revesby Men’s Shed

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Sharper Tools, Stronger Community – $9K Boost for Revesby Men’s Shed


Revesby Workers’ Club recently visited the Revesby Men’s Shed to see the positive impact of its $9,000 contribution towards a new safety saw—an essential upgrade supporting the Shed’s ongoing community work and creative projects.

Based in the NSW National Parks & Wildlife building within Georges River National Park, the Revesby Men’s Shed provides a welcoming environment where members can connect, learn new skills, and work on a wide range of hands-on activities. These include engineering, woodworking, stained glass, leatherwork, and model-making, all of which promote both skill development and social connection.

During the visit, Club representatives toured the workshop and spoke with members about how the new safety saw will enhance day-to-day operations. The upgraded equipment improves both precision and safety, particularly across woodworking and restoration projects.

The Revesby Men’s Shed is widely recognised for its positive contribution to the local community, regularly completing maintenance and restoration work at Biyani House – Revesby Women’s Shelter and local schools and community groups, supporting charitable projects, and providing valuable social opportunities for members. The new equipment ensures the group can continue this important work safely and with confidence.

Revesby Workers’ Club Wins Prestigious Leagues Club Australia John Knipe Award

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Revesby Workers’ Club Wins Prestigious Leagues Club Australia John Knipe Award


Revesby Workers’ Club has been honoured with the prestigious Leagues Club Australia (LCA) John Knipe Award in recognition of the outstanding impact of its Tertiary Scholarship Program.

The John Knipe Award, presented by LCA, celebrates clubs that deliver exceptional community or charitable initiatives outside of standard grants programs. It recognises organisations that make a meaningful, long-term difference in their communities, placing Revesby Workers’ Club alongside other clubs nationally acknowledged for their commitment to positive social impact.

The Club’s Tertiary Scholarship Program, which has been running for more than six decades, is one of the longest-standing initiatives of its kind in the Australian club industry. The program eases the financial burden for local students pursuing higher education and supports the development of future leaders across a wide range of fields, including health, engineering, law, science, trades, and the arts.

Since its inception, the program has enabled countless students to access tertiary education, helping to foster skills, opportunities, and leadership within the local community. By recognising academic achievement and supporting young people to reach their potential, the program has become a cornerstone of the Club’s commitment to education and community development.

Revesby Workers’ Club Takes a Stand Against Domestic Violence on National TV

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Revesby Workers’ Club Takes a Stand Against Domestic Violence on National TV


The Club is proudly participated in a national TV program across the Nine Network, showcasing the Club’s commitment to addressing domestic and family violence and promoting respectful relationships within the community.

The feature will appear as part of a 10-minute documentary on Helping Hands TV, highlighting the Club’s Purple Shirt Friday initiative. Every Friday, Club staff wear purple to spark meaningful conversations about domestic and family violence and raise awareness of the issue within the workplace and the broader community.

Purple Shirt Friday forms a key part of the Club’s Domestic Violence Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy developed to create a safer, more inclusive environment for staff, members, and the wider community. The Action Plan includes education programs, awareness campaigns, support resources and initiatives designed to empower individuals and promote respectful relationships. The Helping Hands documentary will showcase how Revesby Workers’ Club’s initiatives are making a tangible difference—encouraging conversations, breaking down stigma, and demonstrating the importance of community action in tackling domestic and family violence.

The Club has also sponsored an upcoming episode of Helping Hands featuring Biyani House – Revesby Women’s Shelter, set to launch in 2026. This episode will showcase the vital work of Biyani House in supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence, including the reopening of the shelter following a major redevelopment funding by the government. The refurbishment of the main property, along with the addition of four new units, will allow the shelter to provide support to even more women and children in need.

Through these efforts, the Club is reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility, supporting vulnerable community members, and driving positive change both within the Club and the wider community.

Watch the full video here.

Women in Bowls: Community Friendship and Fun

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Women in Bowls: Community Friendship and Fun


The women of Revesby Workers’ Bowls—both Indoor and Outdoor—continue to demonstrate the power of community, friendship and sport in bringing people together. Across the Revesby Workers’ Women’s Indoor Bowls Club and the Revesby Workers’ Bowling Club (mixed), are players of all ages and skill levels are finding connection, confidence and a sense of belonging.

For many, joining begins with a simple decision to try something new. Connie Sorrenti first walked into the Ladies Indoor Bowls Club in 2017 after reducing her work hours and feeling the need for a mid‑week connection. Despite not knowing a thing about bowls, she was welcomed with open arms by a group of women who ranged in age from their late 60s through to an impressive 92. The Indoor Bowls Club, now over 30 years old, has long provided a warm and supportive environment for women—particularly those living alone—to spend time with friends, share laughter, and enjoy friendly competition every Wednesday. The room is always filled with playful cheers, groans, chatter and celebration, proving that the social side of the game is just as meaningful as the sport itself.

Outdoors at Revesby Workers’ Bowling Club, members like Leanne Kelly have discovered a new passion in lawn bowls. After years of playing netball and wanting a safer way to stay active, Leanne took up the sport and quickly fell in love with it. In just two years she has already achieved impressive results, including winning a Charity Day event and finishing as runner‑up in the Ladies Pairs competition. She thrives on the physical and mental challenge—mastering line and length, predicting opponents’ shots, and facing the unpredictable elements of the weather. What she values most, however, is the camaraderie and friendships built within the club, where modern uniforms and a lively social culture have replaced old stereotypes of bowls being a quiet pastime for older players.

Both the Indoor and Outdoor Bowls communities offer women a sense of place and purpose. Players celebrate milestones together, support one another through challenges, and share countless moments of joy on and off the mat. Whether it’s the friendly mid‑week Indoor games or the competitive and social sessions on the greens—including twilight bowls in summer—each experience strengthens the network of women who proudly represent Revesby Workers’.

Both clubs extend a warm invitation to new players.

The Revesby Workers’ Ladies Indoor Bowls Club will hold an Open Day on 18 February, where visitors can try a game, enjoy free tea and coffee, and meet the wonderful women who make the club so special. Contact Connie Sorrenti 0409 677 755 for further details.

The Revesby Workers Bowling Club at Revesby Greens also welcomes newcomers with access to coaching, equipment and a friendly community ready to help beginners learn the sport. Contact the Bowls office for further information on 02 8707 6995 or email revesbybowlers@outlook.com.


Club Staff and Community Walk for Charlotte’s Wish

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Club Staff and Community Walk for Charlotte’s Wish


In 2024, 12-year-old Charlotte O’Brien tragically lost her life due to bullying, her passing was a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need to address youth mental health. Over the course of 7 days from November 3- 9, our staff and community supporters raised an outstanding $14,820 and collectively walked 822 kilometres to champion youth mental health.

Charlotte’s Wish is an initiative that unites participants in raising awareness and funds for suicide prevention and mental health support. This year’s campaign has already achieved remarkable milestones:

  • Over $48,000 raised toward the $50,000 goal
  • More than 6,700 kilometres walked by participants across four countries
  • 340 walkers joining together in a worldwide effort to support youth mental health

The week began with a community walk from Revesby Workers’ Club, attended by Mayor Bilal El-Hayek, and received national attention with coverage on the Today Show and 9 News. On Friday, November 7, Charlotte’s family joined our staff team in wearing purple to honour another young life lost to bullying, Corrine Lee Cheu, and to support the Club’s Purple Friday’s initiative, which raises awareness for victims of domestic violence.

Charlotte’s Wish continues to inspire communities to have open conversations about youth mental health and suicide prevention. Revesby Workers’ Club is proud to stand alongside this movement, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safer, more supportive future for young people.

Opening Sporting Doors for Children in Out-of-Home Care

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Opening Sporting Doors for Children in Out-of-Home Care


A partnership between FosterCare FC and the Club is giving children in Out-of-Home Care across Canterbury-Bankstown the opportunity to participate in local sport and build meaningful connections in their community.

FosterCare FC, launched earlier this year, is an initiative helping children in care overcome financial and logistical barriers to joining local sporting groups. Many children face emotional and social challenges, and participation in sport offers routine, friendship, and positive role models. Early support from Revesby Workers’ Club helped launch the program locally and enabled the team to secure additional grants in other areas.

Revesby Workers’ Club is now the program’s founding impact partner, funding 40 placement of children in the local area. Within just three months since the partnership, 10 children have already been registered into clubs, receiving uniforms, equipment, and fees.

The benefits are clear – children who have experienced trauma gain confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging. One DCJ Case Worker said a previously shy child now trains twice a week, plays every Saturday, and is “thriving through sports.” Children are known not as “the foster kid,” but as part of a team—the striker, the bowler, the goal attack.

The program also strengthens community ties. Clubs, carers, and case workers collaborate to support children, while FosterCare FC manages coordination to remove barriers such as cost, lack of networks, and complex registration systems.

With the backing of local Clubs, FosterCare Sport is on track to reach 120 children nationally in its first year, with hopes to expand further. This partnership is helping children in care feel included, valued, and connected—both on and off the field.

Staff Join Forces to Support the Salvation Army

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Staff Join Forces to Support the Salvation Army


Club staff members from across the organisation came together this week to support the local area Salvation Army branch by volunteering their personal time. A total of 8 volunteers across 2 days staff rolled up their sleeves and got to work—assembling food hampers, organising toy donations by age group, and ensuring every parcel was packed with care.

Adding to these volunteer efforts, the Club has donated $20,000 to support several key community initiatives delivered through the Salvation Army Panania branch. This funding will allow the organisation to:

  • Provide ongoing emergency relief services to support the increasing number of local families experiencing financial hardship including delivering food hampers and supermarket vouchers to individuals struggling with rising living costs.
  • Strengthen financial literacy workshops to empower local residents with practical budgeting and money management skills.
  • Expand support for seniors in Panania who are at risk of social isolation, offering more community engagement opportunities through The Village Café.
  • Providing access to crisis accommodation and pathways to long-term housing.

The Salvation Army’s relies heavily on volunteers and community partners, and the Club is proud to stand beside them in their vital work.