The showroom doors will be thrown open on Saturday night, November 18, to celebrate a major milestone for the Lithgow and District Workmen’s Club: 130 years in operation.
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“This is a significant milestone and we believe it should be celebrated,” club general manager Geoff Wheeler said.
“It’s an achievement that has been created by the hard work of a whole host of generations of people, it has not been down to any one person, it’s a credit to the governance of the boards and management who have come prior.”
The original idea for the Workies came – as so many good ideas seem to – over a beer or two between mates after work.
The story goes that the proprietor of the establishment in which they were drinking at the time, the Court House Hotel, did not care for the discussion about setting up a rival venue and they were summarily kicked out.
But it did nothing to dull their enthusiasm for the project.
The first clubhouse was leased on Tank Street, across the road from the current premises, gained a licence and registered as a club in 1887. It was among the earliest in NSW and, in its early days, had just 19 members, mostly railway men.
In 1890, the club moved to its present site but things have changed substantially since then. By 1960, a post-war rebuilding and redesign were completed. Further extensions were undertaken in the 70’s and 80’s before a fire partially destroyed the club in 1999.
Extensive renovations and rebuilding followed, creating the club as it stands today, including the new showroom, which opened in February 2016.
Members are invited to help the Workies celebrate its major milestone, with a month of special events held during November.
The main event will be on Saturday, November 18, with plenty of special guests, including Bathurst MP Paul Toole and Clubs NSW chair Peter Newell.
The formal part of the evening will include speeches and a short history of the club at 7.30pm.
The anniversary cake will be cut by Workmen’s Club president Howard Fisher alongside Ray Vought, whose grandfather Robert Vought was one of the club’s founding members.
The younger Mr Vought, who is approaching his 97th birthday, has been a member of the club for more than 50 years.
A short film made by ClubsNSW will be screened, showcasing the club, its loyal patrons and its staff.
Entertainment on the night will be provided by world-renowned tribute band, Beatels. Seats can be reserved at reception.
Other activities to mark the anniversary have included a Hawaiian holiday giveaway, extended happy hours on Saturday nights, lots of live music including Sunday music sessions in the southern gardens and a special bowls tournament to be held this Sunday, November 19.
A staff reunion will follow on November 25.
Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
