Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club
Summary of the briefing on options to secure the future of the Fremantle Workers Social & Leisure Club Inc.
The Fremantle Workers Social & Leisure Club has a vibrant history in the City and is celebrating 100 years with events throughout 2014 as well as the publication of a booklet about the Club's history since 1914.
A briefing for members was held at the Club on the afternoon of Saturday May 31st to provide information to Club members on options for the Club's long-term future. President Don Whittington informed the members that, despite current membership of close to 800 and growing, the Club was in a financial position that was unsustainable at the present site. A significant factor was the considerable outgoings on the aging premises along with overheads such as power, insurance and rates.
The President reminded members that in September 2011 the then Committee called a meeting to appoint receivers to sell the building at 9 Henry St & wind up the Club. He had prevented the motions being put, explaining that the building could be sold but the Club did not have to wind up. Subsequently the liquor licence was restored and the Club re-opened in January 2012, albeit with a large loan necessary to repay the Club’s previous debts. However, despite the doubling of membership since that time and the introduction of many successful events, the Club is still unable to trade profitably.
Committee member Ellis Griffiths explained that the most viable long-term option for the Club was to be a partner in the proposed joint Fremantle Park project, driven by the City of Fremantle. This would see the Club share purpose built premises with the Fremantle Tennis Club and the Fremantle Bowling Club on Fremantle Park. Ellis told the meeting that it is anticipated major capital funding would be provided by the City of Fremantle, the State Government through the Department of Sport and Recreation and the three Clubs. Workers Club representatives have been working with the City, consultants, tennis and bowls clubs and the Dept of Sport and Recreation to arrive at a mutually acceptable accommodation of all parties. Although in advanced planning the Fremantle Park Project is not expected to be completed until 2016 at the earliest.
President Don Whittington told the meeting that in the interim period the Club has an option to share the South Fremantle Football Club’s Fremantle Oval premises. Although details of the arrangement are still being worked on, he assured members the popular Sunday afternoon dances would continue along with other events enjoyed by members. Workers Club membership will include social membership of the Football Club. This option received a very positive response from the meeting
Don Whittington expected there would be considerable interest in the sale of the premises and the committee would pursue every avenue to seek maximum value for the club. He concluded the briefing by saying that a Special General Meeting of members would be called once there was an acceptable offer to buy 9 Henry St and agreement was reached with South Fremantle Football Club on the shared use of its premises. There was a lengthy Question & Answer session at the end of the briefing.
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]]Fremantle Workers Social and Leisure Club Inc.
freoworkers@iinet.net.au
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PO Box 1623 Fremantle 6959 | SFFC phone: 9335 1555
This page incorporates material from Garry Gillard's Freotopia website, that he started in 2014 and the contents of which he donated to Wikimedia Australia in 2024. The content was originally hosted at freotopia.org/clubs/freoworkers/future.html, and has been edited since it was imported here (see page history). The donated data is also preserved in the Internet Archive's collection.