The history of Australia’s ‘ethnic clubs’ and why they matter today

“After talking to another person for about an hour, he turned and put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Would you like a drink?’ That was it. There was chemistry.”

And then the place was noisy. Musicians play old German songs on accordions, and diners enjoy pork his knuckles and other German delicacies. Old photos of past club members line the walls, and there’s a deli that sells German condiments and sweets.

“The Concordia are no longer strictly ethnic. We are just there, and that is why we are successful.”

What is an “Ethnic Club”?

However, there is no census to estimate how many of them are called ‘ethnic clubs’ or clubs founded by immigrants to Australia. Not all clubs are licensed venues. Some clubs are simply halls or homes owned by community organizations, while others have evolved into providers of care and education for the elderly.

However, we know many venues are struggling to stay open. Clubs Australia estimates that in New South Wales alone, 33% of small clubs show signs of distress or severe distress.

“A week or so after arriving, they joined a local football club where they could meet people who spoke the same language and had similar interests. it was a soccer club [them] Work, home, sometimes family. “

Men, gods and coffee at Cyprus clubs

One afternoon, 40 people gathered in the club’s dining room to have lunch and dance to a band playing traditional Greek music. Statues of Greek gods and goddesses line the staircase, and old photos of past members hang on the walls in a blue and white color scheme.

it looks like old school cafenio (Café) Found everywhere in Cyprus and Greece. It was frequented by men and still functions as a social gathering place for the village.

In a society where loneliness is classified as a health problem, loneliness is a winning combination.

“I was in the war too. I was not injured, but I saw people die. I was lucky to be alive.”

“We enjoy each other’s company. We tell stories about our past, sometimes good, sometimes sad. Being surrounded by our own culture makes us feel more comfortable.” ”

As well as offering traditional dance classes and Greek language lessons, the club is now looking at other ways to attract business and is going through a rezoning process in hopes that the development will help it survive. increase.

A tale of two Polish clubs

Club president Richard Borysiewicz said the board decided long ago that growth was the best way to survive.

There’s a tray of Polish jam donuts covered in powdered sugar and a jar of coffee for a lady listening to health stories in Polish.

“If there are free men, they don’t want to come here. They are too busy. But there are a lot of free women here. It’s nice to go out and have coffee.”

Short of men, another female member pipes up. “We are all free!” she says.

“Unfortunately, the last two years have been devastating for us.Additionally, there have been floods.A lot has happened.In the last two years, we had no income at all, almost nothing.So now , we start again.”

Robert Borsak is Treasurer and Director of the Ashfield Club and President of the NSW Shooters and Fishers Party. He believes development is one of the few ways for a small club to keep the early founder’s vision alive.

Michael Lubieniecki is a club volunteer and the son of the club president. He believes it will survive.