“We’re very proud to be in this room with you because you are all making a difference in the lives of people in our community,” Workies general manager Geoff Wheeler said.

“We’re eternally grateful for you doing that.”

A total of 27 organisations benefited from Workies grants and three, Lithgow Aged Care, the Vale Ladies and Feel the Magic, from Club Lithgow grants. 

Club Lithgow president David Benjamin said it was the first year the establishment was required to participate in the ClubGrants program, which was introduced by Liquor and Gaming NSW to ensure larger clubs give to community services. 

“This is our first year that we have been tied up with ClubGrants, and that is only because of the way the club has prospered in the last few years,” Mr Benjamin said. 

“We’re going pretty well at the moment and we’re proud to be down here to make our contributions to the community.” 

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“I’ve got great respect for both of the organisations,” president of Lithgow Workies Howard Fisher said. 

“And I think it’s in the best interest of the town that these two clubs prosper and survive.” 

Mr Fisher said the Workies had experienced a downturn in trading in the first six months of 2018. 

“We were lucky to break square in the first six months. It’s been a very hard year. It’s been a hard year for the town.

“On a pleasing note Workies seemed to have turned a corner in the last couple of months and our trading has picked up dramatically,” Mr Fisher said. 

“The relevance of that is that you wouldn’t be getting very substantial donations if the club’s not going well. 

“The more the club prospers, the better money we make, the more money we can contribute to the community.

“It just pleases us to be able to give the money out.”

Among the 27 organisation benefitting from $47,000 in Workies grants, including LINC, Lithgow Community Projects, local volunteer emergency service groups, and the Mobile Community Pantry, Mr Fisher specifically thanked Lifeline Central West’s Alex Ferguson for his decade of service as CEO of the crisis support and counselling service. 

Mr Ferguson announced in July he would be taking a step back from his position to become executive director. 

“Alex has worked for Lifeline for as long as I can remember and he’s done a great job,” Mr Fisher said. 

Mr Ferguson said Lifeline was planning an event in Lithgow focussing on men’s mental health. 

“We’ve got a significant gender imbalance in this room this morning. Ladies, you win hands down. Through you we must be talking to men,” Mr Ferguson said. 

“Through Lifeline and the Country Women’s Association we will actually be having a forum in this town over the next month or so, and we will be addressing exactly that point.” 

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