Billabong Club, Holbrook records

MLMSS 12169

fonds

September 1984 - March 2024

Textual Records, Clippings, Graphic Materials, Photographs

9680428

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box) - typescript and manuscript

The Billabong Club, Holbrook, was formed in September 1984 by farmer’s wives Sue Ritchie and Andrea Palmer (formerly Peardon) who ‘longed for cultural stimulation and conversations which had nothing to do with foot-rot, flies or rainfall.’ Many young wives with children in the Riverina District felt socially isolated so the club was formed to regularly meet over something of special interest each month. The aims of the club were to provide a variety of activities for members and to raise funds for a particular charity each year. Monthly meetings were held at members’ homes and either provided a forum for guest speakers on various topics, or a demonstration of skills in a variety of activities. Guest speakers and experts in their field addressed members on various subjects including financial investment, interior decorating, Asian cookery, basic first aid, etc. Notable guests included journalist Michelle Grattan.

The club began as a small group of friends, and within the first 12 months had grown to over 100 members. Each year, the Club had a major function in support of a particular charity or cause. For instance, members knitted 500 wool garments for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster, and another fundraiser contributed to the costs of woollen uniforms for Australian athletes going to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. After reviewing the club's books, it was estimated that over 37 years the club had donated $70,000 to various causes. The club met for the last time at The Ten Mile, Holbrook in November 2021.

References:
1. Ebsary, Ellen. "Club supported their own and many more" The Border Mail. Tuesday November 30, 2021,
2. Library acquisition file

This collection comprises the records of the Billabong Cub, Holbrook. It consists of folders containing papers including newsletters, correspondence, membership lists, minutes, reports, financial records and photographs of events:

1. Annual general meetings, minutes, agenda and reports 1990-2017
2. Club newsletter, numbers 1-100, September 1984-June 1999
3. Club newsletter, numbers 101-125, October 1999-September/October 2004; unnumbered, November/December 2004-November 2021
4. Correspondence including committee notes, 1984-2024
5. Financials, including income/expenditure reports and two ledger books,1985-2022
6. Legals, constitution and club rules, 1994
7. Membership lists, 1985-2019
8. Officeholder and committee statistics, November 2021
9. Photographs of events, including Thanksgiving party, 1988
10. Publicity, clippings, May 1985-November 2021

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder