In 1955, a group of dedicated locals got together to form a Leagues Club in the precinct of Dapto, a suburb of Wollongong, south of Sydney.
Seven decades later the club is celebrating its 70th anniversary in ways that honour the past while looking to the future.
CEO David Hiscox said this is more than a celebration, it is also a commitment to its members, staff and what is to come for the club.
“We’re building on the traditions that shaped us, while creating a space that will serve generations to come,” he said.
Saturday 12 July will see the festivities begin with a day that is designed for everyone. From kids’ entertainment to a silent disco, live music to a $2,500 members-only giveaway, the celebrations will be in full swing.
Following this, plans are in place for initiatives and events throughout the year.
Management has created a curated Heritage Walk and interactive Memory Wall to display the club’s proud history, highlighting both its evolution and the people who built it.
The Mill, the establishment’s “dining destination”, will serve retro meals and cocktails, showcasing member favourites over the past seven decades.
The Mill will also serve up live entertainment from stalwarts The Villains, who have performed there over many years.
Dapto Leagues will launch a new initiative enabling members to support junior sporting clubs, Hearts on the Field, and will also be putting a call out for artists to create a large-scale mural on the building’s exterior, facing Bong Bong Road.
Beyond the year of celebration, DLC has committed to major upgrades, the first of which will be construction of a multi-storey car park, beginning next month.
Following this the building will see an upgrade to the reception area, along with a new café, which will offer alfresco dining.
Yet this is not all.
Perhaps most significantly, the club is evolving its brand, which will now be grounded in its core values of ‘action, commitment, community and cheer’.
The new branding continues the mandate to reflect the past while looking to the future, exuding a warm and vibrant, welcoming feel, says Hiscox.
“It honours our deep roots while embracing a bold, contemporary direction that resonates with today’s members and tomorrow’s community.”
