JESSE NEILL

WITH over 100 years of service to the Gawler community between them, both the Gawler River Ladies Club (GRLC) and Gawler Para Probus Club have been forced to close.

A number of factors have contributed to both clubs’ cessations, including declining membership numbers, transport issues, members’ deteriorating health, and younger generations’ changing community values.

Local resident Paulene Evans said her mother was involved in the GRLC from the early 1950s.

“The (GRLC) began with the Gawler River School Mothers Club, which had its inaugural meeting in 1940 at the Gawler River school house with 11 mothers present,” Mrs Evans said.

“Over time the mothers club morphed into the Gawler Rivers Ladies Club as more community needs become apparent and the club began to focus on both service and socialisation.”

The GRLC supported a number of charities, community facilities and services over the years including Gawler River Methodist Church, the Gawler River Memorial Hall, the Gawler River Country  Fire Service and the Gawler Hospital.

“It was always quite a surprise at the end of the year to find out how much the club had raised through various fundraisers,” Mrs Evans said.

“The ladies also loved to help out at many community events in Gawler, particularly those involved at the Gawler River School.”

Although providing significant community support through service, Mrs Evans said that many of the ladies enjoyed the “companionship” and “socialisation” tied to the club, something echoed by Gawler Para Probus Club secretary Barry Matthias.

“The sociability of our club was great,” Mr Matthias said.

“Over the last 33 years we operated, we’d get together and see each other around town and you really got to feel part of a community.

“Having that social aspect also meant that if someone had a problem you’d help them, and vice versa.”

While Probus itself isn’t a service club, Mr Matthais said there was nothing in the constitution that prevented members donating on an individual basis.

“A lot of our guest speakers were from other service clubs or charities and some members would provide them with a one-off donation,” he said.

“We will also be donating our equipment to other Probus clubs in the area and any surplus funds will go to Gawler Heartbeat Inc.”

The Gawler River Ladies Club had its final Christmas luncheon last month, while the Gawler Para Probus club will have its last meeting in January and celebrated its own Christmas feast on Tuesday.