Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year by hosting parties for others, including 300 staff from Canterbury Hospital who enjoyed a free cocktail event at its south-western Sydney venue last week.
On the night following its own gala dinner, the club hosted the cocktail party for Canterbury Hospital nurses, doctors and admin staff, tipped to have cost the club about $25,000, as part of its “Thank you for your service” theme for the south-western Sydney club’s diamond anniversary. Special guests included newly-appointed Canterbury Hospital General Manager Michael Morris and the Member for Canterbury, The Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP who was born at Canterbury Hospital.
“We were looking for a way in which we could thank our frontline healthcare workers for their selflessness in the community and their hard work,” said Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club CEO Dean Thomas who had already handed over a bursary award for nursing education.
“I suggested the idea and they were very keen and I think they were quite surprised at the response they got from their staff. It’s a perfect way to use our space and people can gather in a way which matters.
“Giving back to the community has always been a part of us a common thread through all that we do. This event really benefits us as well because it reminds us as to the reason we are here for our community, to be here for our community, to rely on when we need it.”
The club will also host a gala dinner for Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s Newborn Care Unit in Camperdown which turned 50 last November but was unable to celebrate the event because of Covid restrictions.
“Last November we turned 50 – a fabulous and monumental achievement! Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions and the challenges faced by our profession, we weren’t able to gather and mark this special achievement,” said Head of Department, Dr Mark Greenhalgh.
In response to the delay, Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club will host a three-course dinner at its Camperdown Commons venue, on November 12, to celebrate the unit’s anniversary.
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