The Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club is a social non-profit organisation in Fremantle, Western Australia.[1] It was established in 1914 as a working men's club, when a need was felt for a social (and non-religious) meeting place for the stevedores working on the wharves.[2] Its original purposes included educational lectures, a library of democratic literature, as well as games and entertainment.[3][4]
History
editThe Club was established in early 1914. It began life at 1 Henry Street, Fremantle[5][6] in what was Lodge's Hotel; it bought this property in 1916.[2] The first meeting was held on 2 February 1914 with William Roche as president.[3] All committee members were unionists.
It is tradition within the Club to refer to a man named Billy Clare as the "founder" and first president of the club,[2] however this is not reflected in the historical record.[3] Clare was certainly a foundation (and later life) member, but was not part of the initial committee.
The club was profitable in the late 1920s,[7] allowing it to donate to the Fremantle Hospital.[8]
Renovations were conducted in 1932,[9] and cost £3,500.[10] The Club reopened on 13 April 1932, when the membership count stood at 3,400 people.
The club commenced operation from the clubrooms of the South Fremantle Football Club on 19 November 2014.[11]
On 9 November 2014 a booklet entitled The Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club 1914–2014: Celebrating 100 Years was launched (by Melissa Parke, MP). It was written by Deborah Gare (professor of history at University of Notre Dame Australia) and Jane Davis.[12]
References
edit- ^ "About the Workers Club". Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "FWC History". Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "A Workers' Club". Westralian Worker. Perth. 6 February 1914. p. 7. Retrieved 26 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Fremantle Workers' Club". Mirror. Vol. 6, no. 296. Western Australia. 21 May 1927. p. 12. Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Photograph in 1933 Illustrations Ltd; HRRC (1933), Fremantle Worker's Social and Leisure Club, 19 Henry Street Fremantle [picture], retrieved 29 January 2016
- ^ Photograph in 1970 Stevenson, Kinder & Scott Corporate Photography (1970), Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club and an unidentified man, April 1970, retrieved 29 January 2016
- ^ "FREMANTLE WORKERS' CLUB". The Daily News (HOME FINAL EDITION ed.). Perth. 1 July 1929. p. 10. Retrieved 29 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Renovated Fremantle Workers' Club". The Daily News. Vol. LI, no. 17, 762. Western Australia. 13 April 1932. p. 6 (HOME (FINAL) EDITION). Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "FREMANTLE WORKERS' CLUB". The West Australian. Perth. 13 April 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 29 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "FREMANTLE WORKERS' CLUB". Perth Gazette. 13 April 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 30 January 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Fremantle Workers Club". 12 November 2014.
- ^ Gare, Deborah; Davis, Jane. The Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club 1914–2014: Celebrating 100 Years. ISBN 9780994187901.