Executive Report February 2024

January 31, 2024/in Community, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Dear Members,

We hope our members have enjoyed a lovely start to 2024. For some we are sure Christmas and New Year feel like a distant memory, however, we hope you all enjoyed a lovely festive season.

SCHOOL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

Having commenced as far back at 1986 with very little change to the structure, this year the Board approved a change in structure to the School Subsidy Program.

The School Subsidy program offered by Revesby Workers’ Club commenced back in 1986 when the Club supplied $11,000 to 22 schools in the local district. In 1999 the program had grown to fund 24 local schools with a $1,000 subsidy, a subsidy that was later increased to $2,000 in 2001.

By 2011, the subsidy amount was increased to $3,000 and the Club offered this to as many as 28 local schools, totalling $84,000. The annual subsidies paid to local schools align with the Club’s purpose of being people focused and community proud by contributing to the education of our future.

This year, schools were invited to submit an application to request funding for 2024 with the possibility of applying for as much as $10,000 to fund things such as a school project, a new educational program, a school event, or a sponsorship.

We received 19 applications of which 15 were successful in receiving their full requested amount or a partial grant. Congratulations to the following schools:

Padstow Heights Public School – receiving $3,000 towards mathematics resources;
Mount St Joseph, Milperra – receiving $3,000 towards umbrellas for student outdoor space;
Menai Public School – receiving $3,000 towards main learning displays;
Padstow North Public School – receiving $4,800 towards K-2 Robotics Club;
Caroline Chisholm School – receiving $5,000 towards purchasing 3-wheel bikes ‘Join the Joyride’;
Broderick Gillawarna School – receiving $5,000 towards music lessons;
Tower Street Public School – receiving $6,000 towards a sensory playground project;
Revesby Public School – receiving $3,000 towards a student wellbeing program;
Picnic Point Public School – receiving $5,000 towards Kindergarten iPad upgrade;
Panania Public School – receiving $5,000 towards shelter park seating;
Padstow Park Public School – receiving $4,500 towards outdoor stimulus playground;
East Hills Public School – receiving $2,000 towards their East Hills eats eatery;
East Hills Public School – receiving $1,000 towards Dad’s Group;
Brooklyn Public School – receiving $9,780 towards upgraded seating for the playground;
De La Salle College Revesby – $3,500 towards the purchase of a panel saw for TAS.

HEART OF THE NATION – DEFIBRILATORS IN THE COMMUNITY

As part of the 2023 ClubGRANTS program, Revesby Workers’ Club Ltd provided funding to Heart of the Nation in order to implement a number of life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) within the local community in locations where they can be accessed by community members on a 24/7 basis.

When determining where to place these AEDs, we needed to consider things such as accessibility and a location that is highly populated. In light of this, we are putting a call out to our members and community to determine if any business, schools, local churches or residents would be interested in acting as a guardian of an AED.

What is Involved

Should we receive expressions of interest, we will select approximately 4 recipients (with a view to funding further defibrillators in future ClubGRANTS programs) and arrange for Heart of the Nation to install an AED for you.

We would ask that you as a “Guardian” of the AED help maintain the integrity of the device noting that a guardian is not responsible for any damage, simply ensuring the AED is well kept and report any damage that may occur so Heart of the Nation can assist you in the maintenance of the device.

Community Responders

Should anyone express interest in housing an AED and want to be further involved, you may wish to become a “Community Responder”. By downloading the Heart of the Nation app, you would be set up to receive alerts when an AED is required nearby and can deliver the life-saving machine to a local in the community and potentially save their life.

How to get Involved

If you are interested in finding out more about the Heart of the Nation program and how you can participate, please contact the Club’s Executive Assistant Tenielle Symington at tenielles@rwc.org.au.

ANZAC DAY 2024

We would like to remind VIPs, Members and Guests of our Anzac Day Ceremony scheduled for 10.30am on Thursday, 25 April 2024. Similar to last year, we are looking forward to the march from Bankstown YMCA through to the Cenotaph at the Tarro Avenue entrance of the Club.

As always, we look forward to seeing our past Directors, Life Members, Patron, Directors, Sub-clubs, schools, community and members in attendance for a National Day of Remembrance.

FUNCTION ROOM RENOVATIONS

As outlined in previous communications our members are well aware of the current renovations taking place in our auditorium and function area. With these renovations expected to take approximately 9 months, our functions team will have the extremely challenging task of finding limited rooms and function space elsewhere throughout the Club to cater for our regular users.

We once again express our gratitude for your patience and understanding during this time as we endeavour to assist as many members and guests as possible.

Daryl Melham AM

PRESIDENT

Scott Bennetts

CEO

Directors Report February 2024

January 31, 2024/in Community, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

DIRECTORS REPORT FEBRUARY 2024

Welcome to 2024. It seems no time since I was writing this report last year.

In general, 2023 was a better year for most with less sickness, improved weather and more work opportunities for many. It was a tough year for our families with mortgages and we empathise with those struggling with rising interest rates, hopefully there will be a reprieve early in 2024.

Later in this journal you will see information about our annual International Women’s Day event scheduled to take place on 8 March. This year our Marketing team have been working very hard to come up with creative ideas to fit a very different setting. The event will take place in Miss Iggy’s and will be different in format to the sit-down luncheons we have held previously, but I have every confidence the event will be one of entertainment, fun and excitement with all proceeds going to Biyani House, our local Women’s’ Shelter, so please save the date, gather some friends and plan to join in the activity.

For the most part of 2024 our Function Rooms and Auditorium will be out of action as they undergo major renovations and refurbishment. It is hoped work will be complete by October and we will all be able to enjoy a state-of-the-art facility. Many months of planning has gone into this and I know the Functions team have been working hard to try and accommodate all our regular users of these facilities who have been displaced because of the refurbishments. Please be patient and understanding if the temporary arrangements aren’t quite what you are used. Unfortunately, because of this work our Seniors Concerts have been put on hold until next Christmas but I am sure they will be worth waiting for when they return.

It is always positive to hear of the activities from our sub clubs, the summer sporting groups are winding up their seasons as the winter ones take registrations and get ready for another busy year. Apart from our larger sporting groups, we have a number of smaller interest groups running under the auspices of Revesby Workers’ Club. If darts, snooker, spearfishing, native orchids, gardening, public speaking, indoor bowls, hockey, writing or just women’s friendship piques your interest, we have a group for you. Check out the list in the back of the Journal and make contact, it could be the start of a new hobby.

While it seems early to talk about ANZAC Day, this journal covers the period encompassing ANZAC Day and I look forward to welcoming our sub clubs and members to participate in the March and Service on Thursday 25 April. Each year this event gets bigger and reaches out to raise awareness to many in our community. It will also be a poignant day for many at the Club being the first anniversary of the passing of long-term employee Wayne “Rabbit” Steele and I extend my thoughts to his friends and colleagues.

Christine Butters, Vice President

Here we are in 2024 already! 2023 was a huge year for the Club and our management and staff across all facets of our business deserve huge accolades for their outstanding work.

The Christmas break provided time for me to reflect on what a wonderful world we are living in right now, in Australia. The atrocities in Israel and the Gaza Strip and the ongoing war in the Ukraine, with the Russian invasion, surely makes us all think about the individual lives that have been lost and families torn apart.

Within Revesby Workers Club, we have lots of sub-clubs that are run by great volunteers who are committed to enhancing other peoples’ lives. From Little Athletics, Football, Bowls, Cricket – to name a few of the sporting sub-clubs – to the Garden Club, Ladies Group, Toastmasters and other common interest groups – there are lots of opportunities for our members to get involved.

One particular group, for which I am Liaison Director, is the Bankstown Stroke Recovery Group, which meets monthly in the Club. This is an excellent group whose membership is fluid and comprises people who have experienced stroke, others who are carers and anyone else who shares an interest in new developments in assessing the risks, identifying stroke and ongoing updates in treatments. The Executive of this group arranges guest speakers to address most meetings and during 2023 we also had several trips – a morning tea at Headway in Bankstown (another group that work with people with acquired brain injury) and the Ingham Institute at Liverpool Hospital, which undertakes medical research. Visitors are always welcome at their meetings and I would encourage members and their families to come along if you have an interest in finding more about what inroads are being made in preventing, assessing and treating strokes.

Revesby Workers’ Club, through ClubGRANTS, has provided support to the local schools who specialise in the development of students who face intellectual and physical challenges over many years. The teachers and staff at these schools do wonderful work for students with diverse learning needs and are truly dedicated. Prior to Christmas, I was privileged to be invited to attend the Presentation Day at Broderick Gillawarna School and the Year 12 graduation at Caroline Chisholm School. The performances were truly uplifting, and the self confidence that these children have developed through their education is overwhelming.

The Club’s Charity Committee (which I am privileged to Chair) has continued to raise funds to assist the local community, in recent times by purchasing “wish list” equipment for Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital. We are most grateful for the support provided to the Charity by Revesby Workers’ Club through our Friday night meat raffles at the recently renamed Revesby Greens and through ticket sales for Seniors Concerts. We have grown a very loyal group of supporters at our raffles and welcome newcomers! Our (belated) Christmas in July function was lots of fun, as well. During the year the Charity was able to provide $50,000 towards the purchase of a critical ultrasound device to assist during surgery at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.

As I said, we are truly lucky to live in Australia. We look forward to another great year for Revesby Workers’ Club in 2024.

Christine Benham, Director

Director Reports November 2023

November 1, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Director Reports November 2023

A year has flown by since I had the honour to be elected to the Board of our club. Having been involved in Revesby Workers since a young age in Cricket and Snooker, and being a long-term member, I have taken great pleasure in seeing first hand that past values and thinking remain at the forefront of decision making.

I have enjoyed catching up with the various sub-clubs through the year, and am looking forward to building these relationships and providing support wherever possible. These clubs provide a special means for community connection and friendship amongst our members and often represent a significant part of people’s lives, sometimes from generation to generation within families.

As a Director I am also thankful to see in detail the significant level of past and ongoing commitment of the Board to providing substantial funds to the wider community. Every member who has been involved in Charity related activities deserve congratulations.

In the words of the modern philosopher Taylor Swift “This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” We are all of course subject to the impacts of change, and there is certainly a fair bit of it in the air; Whether an increasingly digital world, changes in regulation affecting the industry, or evolving social expectations and demands. The Board will be alert in preparing to meet the challenges ahead, and I find it hard to imagine a better equipped team with respect to our excellent Staff and Management under the leadership of CEO Scott.

I, along with hopefully all members, am looking forward to exciting developments ahead, including the renovated auditorium. A new caterer has come on board at the newly named Sports Club at Spence Street from mid-October; members might check it out and even combine a meal with a dabble of twilight lawn bowls on Friday afternoons.

As the year comes towards an end, special thoughts go out to the families, friends and co-workers who have lost a loved one during the year.

I wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

David Raper, Director

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all the HSC students (and their parents) who have completed their studies and are waiting expectantly for their exam and ATAR results and are taking the first steps to enter exciting new career paths, training and study options.

The Revesby Workers’ Club has for many years supported local students to achieve their goals through its Tertiary Scholarship Program and I urge all current HSC students whose parents are RWC members to take advantage of the opportunity to apply for one of our scholarships. Applications open 1 December 2023 and close on 31 January 2023. Application packs can be requested from the Club’s Executive Assistant via email at tenielles@rwc.org.au.

To all other students I wish them a great holiday and rest over the holidays (Wednesday 20 December to Monday 29 January 2024) so that they can be ready for the new school year. The Club has a range of activities available for younger people during their holidays such as Zone Bowling and Flip Out located upstairs from the Brett Street entrance.

Revesby Workers’ Club continues to offer the Christmas activities as it did last year, including:

Christmas Day Lunches, including a ‘At Home’ option
Santa, Pet and Sensitive Photos sessions
Workers’ Giving Tree and Health Mates Food Drive, support Padstow Community Care
Christmas Toy and Ham & Pork Raffles

I would like to wish everyone a safe Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Linda Downey, Director

Executive Report November 2023

November 1, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report, President's Report /by Julia Vuong

Dear Members,

At the time of writing this report, we have just held a General Meeting for the purpose of electing a Director to fill the vacancy left following the resignation of Kylie Wilkinson.

We would like to thank those members who attended the Club on Tuesday 3 October 2023 in order to vote at the General Meeting by-election.

WELCOME DANIEL KURTZ

We would like to congratulate Daniel Kurtz who was elected by the members at the General Meeting on Tuesday 3 October 2023 as Director to the Board of Revesby Workers’ Club Ltd. Daniel is the 42^nd Director appointed to the Club and his appointment sees our Board return to a Board of 7 Directors.

A number of our members would be familiar with Daniel due to his current Presidency of the Revesby Workers’ Football Club since 2019. Daniel is also a Director of Bankstown District Football Association and has been since 2022.

Daniel has grown up in the area, attending a local school and is passionate about his volunteer role which enables him to give back to the community through sporting organisations that provide a structured and safe environment for people of all ages to participate and have fun.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Management, we welcome Daniel to the Revesby Workers’ Club Board and look forward to working with him in the future.

Newly Elected Club Director Daniel Kurtz.

TERTIARY SCHOLARHIP PROGRAM

We are proud to once again offer the Revesby Workers’ Tertiary Scholarship Program. Application packs can be requested from 1 December 2023 and applications will be received up to and including 31 January 2024. As we did in 2023, the Club will be offering 2 x $3,000 university scholarships and 2 x $3,000 TAFE scholarships together with $500 scholarships to outstanding applicants who are not successful in obtaining the $3,000 scholarship.

The Club has dedicated funding of up to $35,000 for this program annually, which will fund the $3,000 scholarships and honour the previous recipients who each receive $500 for every subsequent year of study, subject to satisfactory results throughout their degree (up to 6 years).

If you have any questions in relation to the 2024 Tertiary Scholarship Program or would like to request an application pack from 1 December 2023, please contact the Club’s Executive Assistant, Tenielle Symington on (02) 8707 6912 or tenielles@rwc.org.au.

SCHOOL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

The School Subsidy program offered by Revesby Workers’ Club commenced back in 1986 when the Club supplied $11,000 to 22 schools in the local district. In 1999 the school subsidy program had progressed to fund 24 local school with a $1,000 subsidy, a subsidy that was later increased to $2,000 in 2001.

By 2011, the subsidy amount was once again increased to $3,000 and the Club offered as many as 28 local schools totalling $84,000. These annual subsidies paid to our local schools aligns with the Club’s purpose of being people focused and community proud by contributing to the education of our future.

As the program has run for many years, we have decided to change the structure to offer the potential to receive a larger subsidy to fund a much bigger project within schools which potentially benefits many more students both current and future.

Similar to our local ClubGRANTS scheme run by Council, the Club will open a grant round and invite our 28 local schools to submit an application for funding ranging from $3,000 to $30,000 to utilise for things such as undertaking a school project or introducing a new school program, apply for sponsorship, assist with a school event or purchase items required by the school.

Upon closing, our Education Committee will review all applications and select a number of recipients to receive funding equivalent of the $84,000 that we provide annually. Further detail in relation to the revised program will be communicated to our local schools shortly.

Recipients of The School Subsidy program.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

On closing, we would like to wish all of our members a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We look forward to welcoming you all back in the New Year and update you on the exciting things ahead for 2024.

Daryl Melham AM

PRESIDENT

Scott Bennetts

CEO

Executive Report August 2023

August 1, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Dear Members,

With the end of financial year now behind us, we look towards the second half of the calendar year with many of us starting the countdown towards the Christmas break. We are happy to report that Revesby Workers’ Club recorded a profit of $xx, detail of which is outlined in the Financial Report, but more importantly that this enables our Club to continue to provide funding to our sub-clubs, invest in education through our school subsidy and scholarship program, consider sponsorships for charities and fundraising events and community projects to really give back to our members and wider Community.

Vale William Pearce (Foundation Member #68)

It is great sadness that we advise our members of the passing of Foundation Member William “Bill” Pearce on 3 July 2023 aged 97. Bill was one of the Club’s 8 remaining Foundation Members and living local, he still frequented the Club when he was able.

As a young married man having moved into Sphinx Avenue with his wife Jean, both Bill and Jean established themselves in the community where Bill became a member of the Workers Club. He enjoyed socialising in the Sports Bar, playing snooker and darts and always had a bet on a Saturday with friends. When Bill reached retirement age, he celebrated with his family in the old dining room upstairs in the Club as you can see highlighted in the photo below. Upon losing his wife Jean in 1991, Bill became a regular golfer and with that came beers after each game in the Sports Bar with his golf buddies. The Club became such a great support for Bill in his later years since becoming a widow.

Bill was always very proud of the Revesby Workers’ Club, acknowledging the work within the community that it did and he always sang the praises of the staff and Directors and felt very proud to be part of the history and day to day life of such a great Community Club.

Bill’s retirement dinner with family in 1981. Bill is seated on the right side, far back, age 55.

Vale Marijana Projcheski

31/10/1986 – 10/7/2023
A new mother, beloved wife and friend to many.

It is with heavy heart that we inform our Revesby Community of the sudden passing of Marijana Projcheski.

Many would remember her welcoming face as she greeted and farewelled you as part of our Guest Relations Team.

She will be remembered fondly and sadly leaves behind her husband Nick and month-old twin boys, Hunter and Hayden.

Marijana with her twin boys.

Notice of General Meeting – 3 October 2023 (BY-ELECTION)

Included in this Journal, members will find a Notice of General Meeting.

Under Rule 63 of the Revesby Workers’ Club Constitution, the Board of Directors call for a General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, 3 October 2023 for the purposes of undertaking a By-Election to fill the casual vacancy on the Board of Revesby Workers’ Club following the resignation of previous Director Kylie Wilkinson.

Auditorium And Functions Renovations

As briefly mentioned in our previous Executive Report, the Board of Directors were reviewing a proposal for a much-needed renovation to our Auditorium and Functions area. We can confirm that this proposal has since been approved and that these renovations are due to commence in January 2024.

Due to the volume of works being undertaken, the renovations are expected to take approximately 9 months meaning the Whitlam Theatre, Waratah, Acacia and Grevillia rooms will be unavailable from January through to September 2024.

We understand a closure of the functions area for such an extended period will put strain on the remaining function spaces within the Club and while our functions team will endeavour to look after as many bookings as possible, we appreciate your understanding during this time is appreciated.

We are excited to share the concept images below to give members an idea of our vision and to share what we believe will be a state of the art, modern, future focussed area for our members to enjoy in the future.

2023 ClubGRANTS

2023 Canterbury Bankstown Council run ClubGRANTS (Category 1) were open for applications from Tuesday 14 March 2023 and closed on Friday 21 April 2023.

163 applications were received and reviewed by the ClubGRANTS Committee with 21 being wholly or partly funded by Revesby Workers’ Club. These organisations include:

Bankstown City Aged Care – Creating a home like environment in aged care
Bankstown District Uniting Church – English Second Language Classes for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Bankstown Koori Elders Group – Ceramic and Aboriginal cultural projects
Biyani House – Revesby Women’s Shelter – Operations Support
Broderick Gillawarna School – Smell, touch, look and listen – Sensory Garden
Caroline Chisholm School – Outdoor pool shade cover structure
Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre – Resources for family on-line cooking classes
Coolaburoo Neighbourhood Centre – Let’s extend the Counselling support to Family and DV Victims
Headway Adult Development Program Inc – Serving Canterbury Bankstown for 40 years (Cooling for Life Edition)
Mercy Works Ltd – Mercy Connect – Mentoring Program for Refugee and Asylum Seeker Students
Morris Children’s Fund Inc – Music Therapy at 3 schools that cater for children with a disability
Nanghami Ngallia Aboriginal Corporation – Nanghami Ngallia Outreach Program
Our National Heart Pty Ltd – Heart of the Nation Communities
Revesby Uniting Church – Kidsplay @ Revesby
Richmond PRA – Headspace Hangout
St Luke the Evangelist Parish Church Revesby – The Perfect Blend
St Vincent De Paul Society – Vinnies Bankstown Support Centre (New Freezer for food provisions)
The Multicultural Network – Seniors Aged Care Program
The Potters House Revesby – Revesby 180
Whitlam Institute – Civics and Citizenship for Young Australians
Women’s Justice Network – My Way Youth Mentoring

All organisations who were successful in receiving whole or part funding have been invited to attend a ClubGRANTS presentation ceremony at Bankstown Sports Club on Friday, 4 August 2023.

Annual General Meeting

A copy of the 2023 Notice of Annual General Meeting also included within. Please note our AGM is scheduled for Sunday, 29 October 2022 at 10am and will be held on the Club’s premises.

If you have any questions for the AGM, please ensure they are received in writing 7 business days prior to the meeting.

We look forward to our members’ attendance in support of the Club.

Daryl Melham AM

PRESIDENT

Scott Bennetts

CEO

Ian Stromborg – Final Director Report | November 2022

July 12, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Ian Stromborg – Final Director Report | November 2022

Ian Stromborg

OAM Director

If the COVID pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that we cannot thrive in isolation. Our wellbeing relies heavily upon the power of community and connection. On the eve of my retirement from my role as Director of Revesby Workers’ Club, I feel immense gratitude for the positive impact that the Club has had on my life and my community.

I first started visiting the Revesby Workers’ Club with a group of mates in 1967. We were soon swept up in the fun and friendly atmosphere and that sense of connection that we were craving as young people learning about the world. We became members as soon as we could (age 21 back in those days) and set about enjoying all the Club had to offer.

The sporting clubs were very popular, and I soon joined the golf club and the A-reserve cricket team, enjoying success as Minor Premiers and Premiers. Joining these clubs was as much about the friendships and celebrations as it was about the sport. I’ve also represented Revesby Workers’ Club at snooker, darts, lawn bowls and basketball creating some treasured memories.

After meeting a lovely young lady named Lesley on the East Hills train line to work one morning, we enjoyed our first date at the Revesby Workers’ Club in 1969. We had dinner in the club dining room and watched a show in the auditorium. This is still our favourite thing to do on a Saturday night as lucky for me she agreed to marry me, and we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last year.

In 1980 when our daughters were aged 4 and 6 years, we moved to a quiet street in Milperra near the golf course. When developers tried to have the golf course rezoned to permit residential housing on this land, I started a successful small residents’ action group opposing this proposal. Little did I know that this would set me on a path of community service and representation that would last for decades. I was soon endorsed as the ALP candidate in the 1987 Bankstown Council West Ward election, and I went on to be a Councillor for 29 continuous years until I retired in 2016 when Bankstown City Council was amalgamated with Canterbury Council.

I had the incredible honour of being the Mayor of Bankstown for five terms which was a great experience and created
memories which I will cherish forever. Most notable was Bankstown’s involvement in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the partnership we forged with the USA Olympic team as well as countless local projects designed to make Bankstown a great place to live and work.

Throughout this time, I enjoyed a great relationship with Revesby Workers’ Club, feeling very supported in my Council role and in 2006 I was approached to put myself forward for election to the Revesby Workers’ Club Board of Directors. I have been serving as a director ever since and it’s been an incredible privilege to be part of the evolution of the Club into a real community hub encompassing expanded entertainment and dining options, healthcare, fitness facilities, childcare and more.

The time has now come for me to retire from the Board of Directors to spend more time with my two daughters, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, most of whom live in Wollongong and Berry. I leave the Club in very good
hands, with a robust Board and an incredible team of staff. A heartfelt thanks to all the Directors and staff I have worked with over the years. I would like to also specifically thank the people connected to the sub-clubs I have worked with – you represent the true spirit of the Club and its connection to our community. It’s a strange feeling to be retiring from official duties after serving the community for 35 years. You’ll still see me regularly though, especially at the Club enjoying a meal and a show or at Health Mates. The enjoyment and pride that I feel being part of the Club now is no different to what it was when I was a bright-eyed 21-year-old. From the Club’s humble beginnings as a small place to meet for a drink to the thriving hub with some 70,000 members it is today, the essence has stayed the same. We all need that connection and community just as much now in 2022 as we did back in 1962.

DIRECTOR REPORTS May 2023

April 28, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Director Reports May 2023

It is with a sad heart that I write this article as it will be my last for the wonderful Revesby Workers’ Club (RWC). As many of you know, I now have the absolute honour and privilege to have been elected to the NSW parliament as the member for East Hills.

To ensure that I can devote all that is required of my new position, I have decided to resign from the RWC board to fully commit to the exciting new challenges I face.

The RWC Directorship has been a wonderful experience. I have met so many new people and made some great new friends. I am constantly amazed by the charity in our community. The wonderful garden club ladies, the generosity and friendliness of the indoor bowls and the men’s and senior golf clubs have touched me over the years. The social connection and community spirit of our many clubs like the snooker, darts, bowls and fishing clubs are so important to the everyday lives of people living in this community. I also take my hat off to members I have met, some into their 80s and 90s now, who have run our small social and sporting clubs for over 50 years. A great achievement and commitment to our community.

I have had the honour to be the liaison director for our Revesby Workers Soccer and the Revesby Workers Touch Footy clubs, which I established in 2019. I’ve also seen the wonderful work our cricket, netball and athletics clubs do to keep people connected, fit and healthy, both physical and mentally.

I’m also proud in the club’s provision of financial support to sections of our community through the scholarship, club grants and school support programs. The help and support our club give to these groups are a vital part of the club’s role in our community.

One of the things I have been most proud of was the club’s leading role in setting up the Biyani House Revesby Women’s Shelter. I’ve been privileged to be on the Biyani House Board and was instrumental in ensuring we opened in January 2022.

Biyani House is an important support resource for vulnerable women and their children. In the first 15 months of the shelter’s operation Biyani House has housed or supported over 100 women and their families who found themselves in desperate situations. The overwhelming generosity our community has shown to support these women is something we should all be proud of.

My time on the board of RWC will always be very special to me and I have particularly loved meeting all our wonderful staff. I want to sincerely thank Scott Bennetts and Tenielle Symington for all they do to support the board. I am so honoured to have experienced being part of a workforce that truly cares for the club and our community.

This culture comes from the top and includes Sharyn Buhagiar who is the most enthusiastic and compassionate HR manager I have met. I am also so lucky to have worked with Sharyn as a fellow Board member for Biyani House.

Finally to my fellow Board directors, you are all wonderfully talented, caring and passionate people and it has truly been an honour to work with you.

I wish the club, board directors and staff all the best for the future and look forward to continuing the friendships with many in the RWC community.

Kylie Wilkinson, Director

This history of our club is tied inextricably to that of the area we represent. Formed in 1962 in a working family’s fibro house, the club has grown in size and prestige in parallel with our area’s growth from workers shacks and small farms to the wealthier middle class suburbs we enjoy today.

The original 240 members were drawn from sporting and social clubs, and united under the desire for a decent friendly club they could proudly take their families to. The key to their success though was the presence within their number of many members of the Labor Party, along with quite a few communists and left wing wharfies. The solid political knowledge of these members helped the 240 organise and execute their plan for a Club of their own.

The club has maintained its links to progressive politics over the years. From the Light on the Hill Society and the Whitlam room, to the presence on the board over the years of many local MPs and councillors. This has been an unambiguously good thing for the Club and our area – it has been through their political smarts and ability to get things done that the club has grown into the responsible community facility it is today.

It’s in this spirit that I congratulate my fellow director Kylie Wilkinson on her election as the new Labor Member for East Hills. I have worked with Kylie closely since my election to the board and her dedication to the community is second to none. She is one of those people who sees that something needs doing so does it. She is ethical and smart and everything you want in a local MP.

Kylie will give her all to our community, which sadly means she has had to leave her position as director of our Club. I will miss working with Kylie but I look forward to seeing her set about her plans and see through her commitments.

The government she serves in will be led by the new Premier, Chris Minns. Chris represents the nearby seat of Kogarah, but Chris is also a long term friend of the Club. He has been visiting the club since the 1990s and as leader of the Labor Party has been here several times for Seniors Concerts and other functions. It will be refreshing to have a Premier who doesn’t need a map to find Revesby.

So with Kylie’s election another chapter of the history of our Club’s close ties to the labour movement is written. No doubt it will be a grand one, both for our Club and our local area.

Baden Kirgan, Director

Executive Report May 2023

April 28, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Dear Members,

When the hot cross buns and Easter eggs disappeared from the shopping centre shelves, so too did the warmer days as we are now greeted with a much chillier start to the mornings. We hope our members enjoyed a wonderful Easter long weekend and are preparing for another cold Winter ahead.

CONGRATULATIONS AND FAREWELL KYLIE WILKINSON

As many of you would be aware, at the recent 2023 NSW State Election, Kylie Wilkinson, the then Labor Candidate for the seat of East Hills was elected into Parliament, thus now making Kylie Wilkinson our Local Member of Parliament for East Hills.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kylie for her well-deserved success. Kylie and her team led a strong campaign for a ‘Fresh Start’ for East Hills and we are very excited to see the improvements they make to our local community in the coming years.

For the members who know Kylie well, they would be well aware of her ever-growing workload as a Director of the Revesby Workers’ Club Board since 28 October 2018, serving as the Deputy Chair on the Biyani House Board and President of Bankstown Jets Touch Association just to name a few. Kylie’s new appointment as our Local Member has meant a review of her positions was required and it was for this reason that Kylie made the difficult decision to resign from her position as Director of Revesby Workers’ Club Ltd effective 4 April 2023.

Kylie has achieved a significant amount in her time serving as a Director for the last 4+ years. Kylie was instrumental in the opening of the Biyani House Revesby Women’s Shelter, has had oversight of the newly renovated Rogues Sports Club and the introduction of Miss Iggy’s and offered support to her sub-clubs, namely Revesby Workers’ Football Club, Senior Golf, Revesby Workers’ Touch Football Club, Indoor Mixed Bowls and more recently the Scrabble Club and Australian Native Orchid Club.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am sure our members would join us in wishing Kylie every success in her new role as our Local Member and thank her for everything she has done not only for the Club but the local Community.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Last month Directors and members of the Scholarship Committee met with recipients of the 2023 Tertiary Scholarships.

This year the Club had 31 previous recipients receive their $500 scholarship for their ongoing studies providing a total of $15,500 to previous recipients. 6 of these recipients are in their final year of studies and we take this opportunity to wish them every success on the completion of their degree and as they look to join the workforce permanently.

We also received 14 new applications of which 8 achieved an ATAR of over 90, noting that these high achievements were very similar to last year and set a very high benchmark. The 2023 Scholarship Program awarded 1 male and 1 female with a $3,000 scholarship and 12 applicants with a $500 scholarship totalling $12,000 to new applicants in 2023. All of our 2023 recipients will receive a further $500 for each subsequent year of their degree upon submission of successful results.

This takes the total of Tertiary Scholarship payments in 2023 to $27,500.

An afternoon tea for our scholarship recipients took place on Sunday, 2 April 2022, an event attended by 35 of our recipients and their parents. A special mention must be given to the recipients of the $3,000 scholarships in 2023:

Sarah Arnold who achieved an ATAR of 96.55 and will be studying a Bachelor of Science and Advanced Studies; and
Rashad Islam who achieved an ATAR of 97.70 and will be studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Exercise Psychology.

Congratulations to all of our previous and new recipients.

TRADING FLOOR RENOVATIONS

Renovations throughout the Club continue through to late May when the final stage will be completed. We would like to thank our members and guests for their patience in what has been quite a significant renovation.

As you would appreciate, a renovation of this size takes a great deal of collaboration and planning between staff and tradesmen to ensure the project is executed in a timely manner and completed on schedule.

We would like to congratulate our Executive Manager of Gaming, Allison Gibbons and her team for the effort and significant time they have put into this project together with Executive Manager of Facilities, Simon Melham and his team for their ongoing assistance during the renovation itself which was split over 5 separate areas.

No project of this size is without its hurdles, however, all staff involved managed the process from start to finish extremely well while ensuring as little interruption to our members as possible.

AUDITORIUM AND FUNCTIONS RENOVATIONS

We would like to advise our members that the Board of Directors are currently reviewing a proposal for a much-needed renovation to our Auditorium and Functions area in 2024. A project team led by Executive Manager of Food and Beverage, Darren Foots is currently in the planning phase with architects and designers to discuss our requirements and design a new look and feel for the space upstairs. The Board look forward to reviewing their proposal in the coming months.

Subject to Board approval, it is expected that renovations may commence in early 2024 and we ask that our members be mindful of the renovations in the near future as this means function rooms will not be available throughout this period putting a significant amount of pressure on other areas within the Club that are utilised as function spaces.

We will endeavour to keep our members well informed of the exact start date of these renovations once known and the expected timeframe that these areas will be non-operational.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to renovate the Club in stages in order to be able to continually offer our members a modern, enjoyable and spacious Club that caters to everyone within the Community.

Daryl Melham AM

PRESIDENT

Scott Bennetts

CEO

DIRECTOR REPORTS February 2023

January 27, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Director Reports February 2023

2023 has dawned on us all bright and clear. Unfortunately, toward the end of 2022 the Covid statistics increased again but it seems we have once more come through, and like the resilient community we are life moves on.

At the Annual General Meeting in October last year two new members were elected to the Board and have fitted in very well. We have had several Board meetings where they are getting to know the workings of the Board and the Club. I was very humbled to be elected Vice-President upon the retirement of John Rodwell and look forward to serving our members to the best of my ability while
holding this role.

Along with the new Board members there have been some reconfigurations of Liaison Director roles, with some sub clubs getting new Liaison Directors. I urge all members of sub clubs to work with their Liaison Director for the betterment of the group overall.

Your Liaison Director is available as a source of information, a link between the sub club and the parent club and to assist when and if problems may arise. See them as your group’s friend and you will all benefit.

Some of our sub clubs are seasonal and those such as Cricket and Little Athletics will be winding up their season just as Netball, Basketball and Soccer take on registrations and start to gear up for the winter season of sport. We wish all the players well and hope you have a season filled with fun and learning new skills while improving those already gained.
When you read this journal, the planning will be well underway for what has become our Annual International Women’s Day function on the 8 March, with guest speakers, entertainment and raffles there is lots of fun to be had at the luncheon and remember it may be International Women’s Day but we welcome our male counterparts too.

Funds raised assist to support Biyani House, our local Women’s’ Shelter.

The Club will also be holding an ANZAC Day service and this too is an event which I encourage you to attend. The service will be preceded by a March and is a poignant reminder and recognition of those who fought for the freedoms that we enjoy in our Country today. It is an opportunity for members of our sub-clubs to also participate in their club colours and honour the servicemen and women of Australia.

Christine Butters, Vice President

Here we are in 2023 already! After several years of disruptions due to the Coronovirus Pandemic, we seem to have settled into a “new normal”, learning to live with the virus. What a difference having a vaccine has made.

2022 was a year of major disruptions to many of our sporting sub clubs with flooding and ground closures causing major inconvenience. However, our thoughts and prayers go out to those throughout the country who have been extremely impacted by flooding, losing all they own, their homes, livelihoods, crops, stock etc. Nature certainly can be very cruel at times.

Australians are a very resilient lot, and, as they say…life goes on! Throughout our sub clubs there were lots of great achievements and celebrations – be it Lawn Bowls, Little Athletics, Cricket, Swim Club, to list just a few. There was great excitement in the Presidents’ Lounge during the Commonwealth Games when Revesby Workers’ Swim Club’s young swimmer, Abbey Connor swam for Australia and did the country proud.

Abbey was not the only Revesby Workers’ representative in the Australian contingent at the Commonwealth Games. Former junior cricketer, Ash Gardner also represented Australia in the star-studded Australian women’s cricket team.

There are many sporting and common interest sub clubs within Revesby Workers. Focus is on participation, so if you are looking to get active or broaden your interests and friendship groups, I invite you to explore the list of sub-clubs included in this Journal.

The Club’s Charity Committee (which I am privileged to Chair) has continued to raise funds to assist the local community. The last few years have provided little opportunity for fundraising events, however after several postponements due to COVID, we were finally able to hold our Christmas in July dinner, and had lots of fun in the process. We are most grateful for the support provided to the Charity by Revesby Workers’ Club through our Friday night Meat Raffles at Revesby Workers’ Sports Club and through ticket sales for Seniors Concerts.

We look forward to a great year for Revesby Workers’ Club in 2023.

Christine Benham, Director

Executive Report February 2023

January 27, 2023/in CEO Report, Directors Report /by Julia Vuong

Dear Members,

We hope you all enjoyed a lovely festive season and holiday period. Whether you hosted Christmas or if you visited family, holidayed interstate or overseas, we hope you started 2023 in a positive way.

WELCOME DAVID RAPER AND LINDA DOWNEY

Following the retirement of John Rodwell and Ian Stromborg OAM at the conclusion of the 2022 Annual General Meeting, the results of the election for Board of Directors was announced confirming that David Raper and Linda Downey would be joining the Board of Directors at Revesby Workers’ Club.

David has been a member of Revesby Workers’ Club for over 35 years and was previously the Vice President of the Revesby Workers’ Men’s Bowling Club until his commencement on the Board. Born and raised in Revesby, David Raper now resides locally in Panania and has done so for the last 15 years. David has taken over the Liaison Director duties for the Revesby Workers’ Billiards and Snooker Club, Revesby Workers’ Darts Club and Revesby Workers’ Spearfishing Club.
Linda is no stranger to the Club having been awarded Life Membership on 27 October 2019. Linda is a Councillor of Canterbury Bankstown City Council and served as the Mayor of Bankstown in 2014-2015 and Deputy Mayor in 2021. Linda is a careers advisor at a local High School and has been associated with Revesby Workers’ Club for many years.

It must be recognised that with the addition of Linda to the Board of Directors, it is the first time in not only the Club’s history but also amongst large Clubs in NSW that female Directors outnumber the males.

We have welcomed both David and Linda to the Board and hope you join us in congratulating them and wishing them all the best for their term.

NEW CLUB VICE PRESIDENT

Following the AGM in October last year, the Board elected Christine Butters as Vice President unopposed to replace John Rodwell. While Christine has said on a number of occasions that she believes she has big shoes to fill, we are extremely confident that the right person for the position has been appointed.

Christine Butters was elected to the Board on 29 September 2010. Her service not only to the Club but to the community is immeasurable. Christine is the Liaison Director for Revesby Workers’ Garden Club, Revesby Workers’ Ladies Group, Senior Athletics, Marine Rescue, Mooney Mooney Bowls Club and Money Mooney Fishing Club. Christine is also our Liaison Director for the Mooney Mooney Club and she holds strong ties with staff and members in that area.

Christine is a Life Member not only of Revesby Workers’ Club but also the Revesby Workers’ Little Athletics Club where she is also the President. Her dedication and support for all things community made it a very easy decision to elect her as the Vice President to recognise her tenure to date. Her passion for the Club and its members will ensure a very positive future for the Revesby Workers’ Group.

SCHOOL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

As outlined in our last Journal, the cheque presentation ceremony for our school subsidy program took place on 7 November 2022. Our Directors had the privilege of providing the $3,000 subsidy to each local primary and high schools in the local area. These donations help fund key projects and/or initiatives in our local schools which benefit students from kindergarten all the way through to Year 12. We would like to thank those who attended the cheque presentation ceremony and look forward to seeing them again next year and determining what they plan to use their 2023 funding on.

CLUB RENOVATIONS

In recent times it has been our goal to offer a wider range of venues to introduce a new demographic into the Club while maintaining and improving current areas of the Club for our regular longstanding members. With the opening of Rogues Sports Bar occurring on 14 December 2021, renovations to the gaming floor and Miss Iggy’s commenced shortly thereafter, with the main gaming floor aiming for a completion date in April 2023.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful staff involved in the numerous renovations throughout the Club in 2022 and into the early part of 2023. These projects are not completed by a handful of staff, they require input from all areas of the business. From Marketing, Food and Beverage, Gaming, Maintenance, IT through to Operations. Our Senior Managers and their teams contribute significantly to the work and without their contribution, the renovations and opening of new outlets in the Club would not be possible.

We continually look to improve our Club for our members and guests and are very excited to see the hard work pay off as these new venues open. Looking to the future, we have plans to undertake a much needed upgrade to our Auditorium and Functions area in 2024 and will provide more detail as the scoping of the project commences.

Daryl Melham AM

PRESIDENT

Scott Bennetts

CEO