DirectorReports

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.

The Board of Directors

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.