St Marys RSL sub-Branch

The Governor King Day Club was established in October 2004 under a joint venture of the NSW Branch of the RSL, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and St Marys RSL sub-Branch (our sponsors). DOWNLOAD FLYER for a quick summary for anyone interested in joining. The Club meets every Wednesday from 9.30am to 1.30pm at Mamre House, 181 Mamre Rd., St Marys (with a 5 week break over the Christmas period). This venue is generously provided by Catholic care.

The Club opens proceedings with signing of the attendance book and receiving the weekly donation currently set at $10 (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 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 Police Crime Prevention Unit, and members from Medical services) 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.

Our funding comes from grants from the St Marys RSL sub-Branch, members' and volunteers' 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.

For more information, contact the Co-ordinators (as at February 2024) Allan Greenwood - 0407 003 289; or Sheryl Jan - 02 9623 8768.