Wests Illawarra held an event on Friday to honor the pioneers of the club who have remained loyal members for over half a century.
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The annual heritage luncheon is an invitation-only event for those who have held memberships of 50-years or more.
During the last seven years the Unanderra club has hosted 637 long serving members.
Among those being honoured on Friday were Ronald and Barbara Lynne who have been members at Wests Illawarra for 58 and 53 years respectively. hey said they had maintained their membership so long because Wests Illawarra was a great meeting place where they were proud to bring guests.
"We love reflecting on the growth the club has seen over the years, particularly when you consider that in 1966 women were only permitted to be social members and could only enter the club on Saturday evenings. To be part of a Club that respects its long-serving members is unique and something we are delighted to be a part of".
"The room is full of our members that have the longest and deepest connections with Wests Illawarra," he said.
"For these members, the lunch is an opportunity to highlight one of the core benefits that clubs provide communities - the opportunity for genuine connection.
"This event is not only a celebration about the club and the people who created the club. .It is a celebration of the people in the club and the energy those people put in.
"There are so many stories among those in the room of the history about how Wests has grown".
Life members as well as several foundation members of Wests Illawarra who joined when the club first opened in 1956 were also present on Friday.
Among them was Roy Gersbach who recalls his future father-in-law at the time signing him up as one of the original 200 people to become members two years earlier in 1954.
"I was 19 when the club actually opened. I am the baby of all the foundation members," he said.
Asked why has remained a member for the last 63 years he said it was because it was such a good club.
"It is a mighty club. It grew from a little one up on the highway. It started really with the coites club back way back when. It has grown to what it is today with great people and a great place to be," he said.
Mr Gersbach said the annual lunch was like a reunion every year where all the long time members of 50 years or more got together in one room at one time and recalled many memories from the last half-century.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
