Sub-Branch
Governor King Day Club
The Governor King Day Club was established in October 2004 under a joint venture of the NSW Branch of the RSL, the Department of Veteran Affairs and St Marys RSL Sub-Branch (our sponsors).
The Club meets every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm at the St Marys RSL Youth Hall (with a break of about one month over the Christmas period).
The Club opens proceedings with signing of the attendance book and receiving the weekly donation currently set at $4 (this covers your morning tea and lunch and costs associated with running the Club). We then sing the National Anthem and our Club songs; acknowledge any birthday’s, new members and/or items of news from members and volunteers; and participate in gentle exercises which leads into morning tea.
After morning tea we have some mental stimulation in the form of quizzes etc. - this is done on a table basis to create competition between the members. This leads us into lunch which varies from week to week thanks to our lady volunteers.
After lunch we usually play Hoy or other games and compete for small prizes (if Available). This takes us to the end of the day.
We conduct a raffle every month in which prizes are donated by the St Marys RSL Women’s Auxiliary and members or we may purchase some small items to compliment the prize table. We have a trading table bi-monthly where all members and volunteers donate any items that they think may be of use to other members and volunteers. These items are sold at very reasonable rates.
We have guest speakers on a regular basis to talk about items of interest (for example, St Marys Historical Society, the local Mayor, and members of Parliament) to keep personnel informed on changes to welfare/pensions etc.
We endeavour to have an outing at least once per month at a different venue, such as picnics, club luncheons and areas of interest, (funding permitting). We also seek out entertainment from the local schools and community. On occasions we ask members and volunteers for extra donations to cover these costs but not normally more than $10.
Our funding comes from grants from the St Marys RSL Sub-Branch, member’s and volunteer’s weekly donations (attendance fees), raffles, trading tables and donations from local businesses. All funding is given back to the members in the form of outings, luncheons etc.
We insist on members being self-reliant, administer their own medication (if any), to toilet themselves and have a high ethic of personal hygiene. Members who cannot do any of these must have their own carer as the Club can take no responsibility of same.
There is no insistence on members attending every week as we are aware that as people age they tend to have long term illnesses and the like. Attendance is totally up to the individual. All we ask is that if you are reliant on transport, you let the person responsible for picking you up know that you will not be attending ASAP.
We would prefer if members make their own way to the Club and back, by using a family member or friend, however our Volunteers will pick people up if they live on their route to the Club. We hire a small bus from the North St Marys Community Centre and may be able to pick up personnel as required, providing they live en route to the Club.
All in all, our aim is to have as much fun as possible, tell a few jokes, have a chat with each other, swap ideas and give members a place to meet on a weekly basis to establish networking and lasting friendships.
We have now received our DVA grant for new sound equipment and have purchased same. Many thanks to the DVA team for their assistance.
Should you be interested or would like further information, contact Allan Greenwood (phone home 9673 6449 or mobile 0407 003 289) or Wally Charlwood (phone 4721 5157).
Bunnings Fundraiser – Sunday 6th November 2011
A fundraising BBQ was held at Bunnings Castlereagh Rd on Sunday (6th Nov). We sold 592 rolls with 52 Kg sausages and 30 Kg onions. Gross income was $2014.25, Paid out $893.15. Cleared for the day $1121.10. Which is pretty good. I want to thank everybody who participated - it was extremely hot and people went non-stop for over 8 hours. We ended up with more wounded than the 6th Division but they battled on, once again thanks to all.
Kind regards. Allan
December 2011
The Governor King Day Club held it's Annual General Meeting on 7 December 2011.
The main outcomes were;- The Co-ordinator for the past five years Allan Greenwood has stood down from this position due to extensive travel in the next few years.
The club will be run by a committee until such times a new Co-ordinator can be found.
The financial statement was stood over until January to be presented at the February Sub-Branch.meeting by our Administrator Don Watters. Merry Xmas and a happy New Year to all.
Allan Greenwood.
