My election to the board of the Revesby Workers’ Club in late October 2024 has been quite surreal. I joined the club as an 18-year-old, some 46 years ago, and I’ll be frank, the only reason I joined at the time was to gain entry to the club and enjoy a schooner or two of lemon squash with fellow players from the cricket club.
I recall the world class entertainment and watching Tom Jones performing to packed audiences night after night, and for those who remember, the yearly Christmas Party for families was an event not to be missed. My fondest memory was handing out ice creams from a white caravan with former President Daryl Melham, and late director Keith Heaslip and his wife, in the early 80s.
Since those heady days, my connection with the Club has never waned and when I was asked to join the board, I saw an opportunity to play a more active role and to continue the great work and community focus. Over the years, there have been many structural and architectural changes but what hasn’t changed are the regulars and loyal patrons who have supported the board and management.
Testimony of the stability of the board was the recent retirement of President Daryl Melham AM who called it quits after serving 44 years as a director and more recently as Club President. I am sure that milestone will never be eclipsed.
For those members who don’t know me, I have lived in the area most of my life and recall the days of the market gardens, the horse drawn milk carts, no sewerage and the “dunny man” picking up the toilet can and the chicken farm around the club premises. The club was a place for the wharfies, fishos, union organisers and political types to meet and strategise, but most of the time it was to swap yarns and tell tall tales.
My involvement with the club was regular but limited due to my work commitments, as I held senior roles in the media over a period of 40 years. I also had a brief dalliance in Government and even started my own communications consultancy and strategy business.
During this time, the club has grown, now boasting around 70,000 members and a demographic embracing a mix of young and old from diverse backgrounds. Over the years the wants and needs of Club members has changed, and this is clearly reflected by the investment in the retail village and medical precinct, the refurbishment of the gym and providing a better family dining experience.
The first few months have been quite hectic and only reinforced my decision to be a part of the board. Some of the events included Remembrance Day, a special luncheon ceremony for those members celebrating 25, 40 and 50 years of membership, the seniors Christmas concert, and the annual staff awards.
The generosity of the club is something that isn’t rarely spoken of and deserves a mention. Whether it is providing grants to local schools, education grants to high-achieving students, bereavement support, subsidising our sporting teams or waiving fees to charitable and other organisations to use the club facilities, these are just some of the decisions made on members’ behalf.
On other matters, I have some big shoes to fill and will be taking over from Club President Christine Butters as the Liaison Director for the Mooney Mooney Club which includes the Volunteer Rural Fire Service and the Marine Rescue. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the locals and they were very warm and welcoming. I have also asked to be on the Building, Education and Light on the Hill Committees, as well as the Disciplinary Committee.
The year has kicked off in fine style and I am looking forward to being a part of some exciting events and changes during 2025.
