Cabra-Vale Diggers has marked its 100-year anniversary with the official launch of its new name, Cabravale Club Resort, repositioning the club as “Australia’s first integrated club resort”.
Established in the aftermath of World War I by 20 returned servicemen seeking camaraderie and purpose, Cabra-Vale Diggers grew from humble beginnings in a repurposed army hut to become local institution.
“From the beginning, this club was built on the values of service, courage and community. While our name is evolving, that spirit remains at the heart of Cabravale Club Resort,” club president Walter Robinson said.
“‘Diggers’ carries deep meaning – it honours our founders and our legacy. We’re not leaving that behind; we’re carrying it forward into a new era of greater opportunity, inclusion and connection.”
The centenary was marked with a gala dinner celebration on Wednesday 16 July that brought together community leaders, VIP guests, and dignitaries, including NSW Minister for Gaming David Harris who acknowledged the club for its service to the community.
“This facility has been able to grow because it’s supported by the community. It’s been able to do the things that it does in the community because it actually understands its local community,” he said.
“That comes through the fact that those directors, not just the current ones, but previous ones, have listened to their membership and have built what is an amazing club here now, which has got even more to open in the near future. “
During the night, the club also announced the launch of Cabravale Community, a new initiative that builds on the club’s Cabra Diggers Cares program, which has contributed over $1.75 million to local causes.
Under the new banner, the club announced a headline partnership with The Sebastian Foundation, which tackles youth mental health through its Open Parachute program and builds resilience and peer support skills in schools.
The launch of the club’s new chapter comes ahead of the completion of its multi-million-dollar redevelopment, which will include the opening of a 140-room Novotel Hotel to be operated by Signature Hotel Management Group under the globally recognised Accor brand.
The redevelopment also encompasses the launch of two dining experiences led by the club’s culinary ambassador Dany Karam: a 160-seat steakhouse and whisky bar complete with its own in-house butchery and dry-aged full blood wagyu fridge, and a 300-seat Italian restaurant inspired by the interior design of Starbuck’s Reserve in Milan.
A state-of-the-art business hub and an expansion of existing function spaces will also be introduced to better cater for conferences, weddings and corporate events.
Other upgrades to be made as part of the multi-stage redevelopment include the introduction of a 100-seat cinema, new karaoke complex offering private rooms, and the conversion of the old gaming area into a modern sports bar facility dedicated to sports events and new TAB. The multi-stage work has been ongoing since the club first broke ground in December 2021.