History of Club Stockton

SINCE 1931

The Past

The Present

The Future

1931

IN THE BEGINNING

The Stockton RSL Sub Branch is unofficially formed when a small group of ex-servicemen formed a committee to assist returned servicemen and widows. The first meetings were held in a shed (the “Ellem Bank”) situated near the Boatrowers Hotel (corner of Fullerton and Mitchell Streets Stockton).Supporting Stockton’s ex-servicemen, widows and the needy were the stated objectives of the newly form organisation.

1931

1932

The foundations of Stockton RSL’s present day Stockton Women’s Auxiliary Committee was formed.
Fundraising and welfare related work were the activities of the inaugural ladies committee.
1932

1935

The Stockton RSL Sub Branch was officially recognised on 20th February 1935 receiving an official RSL Charter and establishing the 8th Sub Branch in the Newcastle region.
Both the Women’s Auxiliary and the Stockton Sub Branch concentrated their respective efforts on fundraising for charity and a “building fund”. A popular fundraising event during this period was the ‘Diggers Ball’ which became an annual event, like the present day ‘Jelly blubbers Ball’.
1935

1938

The Government of the day directs that the Stockton Council Chamber land is reassigned as a War Memorial with the Council as Trustee.

1938

1939

The Stockton Sub Branch leases the Stockton Council Chamber land to them from 1st January 1939.
During 1939 WW2 broke out and the Sub Branch ‘shelved’ its building programme and concentrated on the welfare of service personnel.
1939

1939

World War II

1939

1945

Post World war II

After the Second World War, the Stockton Sub Branch acquired an army hut from the Stockton Proof Range and erected it at the back of the Council Chamber building (corner of Clyde and Douglas Streets).
This Hut was called the Linich-James Memorial Hall in honour of two Sub Branch members for their fundraising efforts over the years, Albert Linich Snr and Dave James.
During these years, the Hall became a popular social venue of the Stockton community.
To this day, the Club’s meeting room is named the Linich-James Room in recognition of the accomplishments of these two gentlemen.
1945

1950

Disaster struck the Hunter region with major flooding and the RSL Sub Branch Hall was used as emergency housing.

1950

1957

The Stockton Sub-branch begins preparations to establish a social Club. 

1957

1958

On the 5th December, a notice in the Public Service Gazette saw the land of the war memorial dedication being revoked, and following that the Sub-Branch proceeded to purchase the land from ‘the Crown’, along with the purchase of the council chamber building from the local Council.

1958

1959

The Club is granted a liquor license.

1959

1962

The Council Chambers building was renovated and the building became the Sub Branch’s club house and social club.
 
1962

1969

The club house and facilities were not adequate and the building was demolished and a new club house was built.
1969

1971

Additions to the club house were built, this included an office, library and convention room.
1971

1972

The Sub-Branch established Stockton RSL & Citizens Club as a commercial entity, handing over all licensing and the management of the Club’s operations to the newly formed company.

1972

1975

The respected Director Mr John Byrne passed away. Mr Byrne, a retired teacher from the Stockton Public School was elected to the Board of Directors of the RSL Club. Mr Byrne was known for his work with the youth of the area. One of his achievements was as manager/coach of the Stockton Public School boys’ basketball team taking them to finals, and ultimate glory of the NSW State school championships. The Board of 1975 developed and introduced the John Byrne Memorial Award for outstanding achievement of a pupil for both Stockton Primary and St Peters Primary Schools. This Award is still presented to this day by Stockton RSL & Citizens Club.

1975

1982

A movement to permit women the benefits of full membership within the Club commenced. The movement was initiated by Mr Joe Whitcher (now a Life Member of Stockton RSL & Citizens Club) when his daughter was declined membership to the Club by the Board.

1982

1983

The Club’s constitution was amended to allow women to receive the full benefits of membership to the Club.

1983

1989

The Stockton RSL & Citizens Club purchases the property from the Stockton Sub-Branch.
1989

2007

The Club sustains damage from a severe storm which impacted the general Hunter Region.
2007

2011

The movement to permit women the benefits of full membership to the Club crystallises with the Clubs Board and administration comprising of women only for the first time in the Club’s history.

2011

2017

Amalgamation with the City of Sydney RSL & Community Club
The Stockton club’s Board of Directors and management team worked with Clubs NSW to find potential amalgamating partners and received responses from only two clubs: Stockton Bowling Club and The City of Sydney RSL & Community Club.
After careful consideration, the Stockton Board voted to adopt the offer by the The City of Sydney RSL who promised to improve and operate the Club into the future for the benefit of the Stockton RSL membership, the Stockton RSL Sub-Branch and the general Stockton community: “We believe that the Stockton area deserves two clubs.
 
It is the objective of the Board and Management team of the City of Sydney RSL and Community club to ensure the long-term future of Stockton RSL and to facilitate growth in terms of membership, facilities and service, with an emphasis on professionalism and good governance. The board has formed the opinion that Stockton RSL club has a strong viable future, providing it receives appropriate funding and support. The board is also mindful of the need to retain and grow employment for the Stockton area and has identified an opportunity to develop user friendly facilities for families and their attendant function needs.” Mr Bill Hayes Williams President of the Board City of Sydney RSL & Community Club
On the 15th May 2017, The Stockton RSL & The City of Sydney RSL amalgamated after the Stockton RSL Membership approved the amalgamation with a general vote approving the offer that would benefit the Stockton RSL and the Stockton community well into the future.
2017

2023

2023
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