Last month I was pleased to attend Liverpool Catholic Club's 50th anniversary annual mass and luncheon. The club was opened on 1 December 1979 and has operated on the current site for 40 years. The concept and planning took 10 years from beginning to opening, and the idea was formulated because friends who played golf together wanted somewhere for their families to get together also. The original club president and board members were in the audience at the lunch. The club supports the community and has provided over $25 million in grants and scholarships over the last 50 years. The lunch also recognised Catholic school year 12 dux students with a scholarship to assist them at university to realise their goals.

As well as community grants and scholarships, the club supports 13 interclub sporting and lifestyle groups, including netball, rugby league, quilters, pipes and drums. The pipes and drums gave an impressive and inspiring performance which included the Australian national anthem. The support the board of directors provide to the interclubs with advice, compliance and accounting support is immeasurable. Congratulations to the current board of directors, led by Greg Richardson, for their support and the support they offer to our community, and best wishes for the next 50 years.