The Russian Club celebrated its 99th anniversary

13/08/2023

The hall for the holiday was prepared in advance by the directors and volunteers of the Club. As usual, the tables covered with white tablecloths, elegant bouquets of fresh flowers on the tables, plentiful, delicious food prepared by Lyuba Hoffman, wine, live music with Alexei Ilyukevich - all created a festive good mood. After the prayer service conducted by Father Nikita Chemodakov, President of the Club Nikolai Tolpygin and Vice-President of the Club Nina Levitskaya delivered a welcoming speech. They warmly congratulated and thanked those gathered to celebrate the 99th anniversary of the Russian Club and invited everyone to the celebration of the 100th anniversary in August next year. A small theatrical performance from the DoReMix musical "The Importance of Being Ernest" was a gift for those gathered in the hall. The bar was actively working, on the TV near the bar one could get acquainted with a slideshow of photographs of events that took place in the Russian Club over the past 10-15, and sometimes more, years.

Alla Khlebakova

Photos by V.Kouzmin

On August 13, the birthday of the Russian Club was celebrated in a cozy Sydney district in Strathfield. The date was more than impressive, the Russian Club in Sydney was founded by Russian immigrants from Europe and China in 1924, 99 years ago. Those gathered for the festive dinner remembered those people who created the club, and then developed, expanded, and held cultural programs there. Musical, choral, theater and dance groups worked on the basis of the Russian Club, well-known artists of our Sydney community, as well as famous Russian artists from other countries performed: ballerina Anna Pavlova, the Zharova Choir and a number of others. It was for these purposes that the club was created many years ago, and also in order to have a place in the city where you could get together and talk heart to heart in your native language, eat traditional Russian food, listen to Russian music, dance to it, read books from libraries.

Those who have worked in Russian public organizations in countries far from Russia know how difficult it is to keep the doors open for many years. This became possible only due to the non-stop work of a group of volunteers. After all, it was necessary not only to carry out a cultural program, but also to find considerable funds in order to pay expenses - first for renting premises in the center of Sydney, and later, when a building was bought in Strathfield in 1957, not far from the Peter and Paul Cathedral, it was necessary to make repairs, expand, because the Russian community of the city grew. In 1995, the builders built a multi-storey building on this site, and the club became the owner of the premises on the ground floor, which it currently occupies. There are two halls - large and small, shop, kitchen. In recent years, the club has rented out part of the premises to a restaurant, which allows it to pay huge utility bills.

In recent years, with the help of the work of its volunteers and the funds raised, in order to renew the premises of the club, to make the interior of the club more modern, an art gallery was arranged, new sound equipment was bought. There are still a lot of plans ahead, it is important that the board works smoothly, so that a gradual change of generations takes place. And vice-chairman Nina Levitskaya, who has been working on the board for many years, spoke about this at the meeting. As often happens, club members celebrate their birthdays in the club hall with family and friends. This time Alexey Kiklovich celebrated his 80th birthday. Nina Levitskaya congratulated him and presented him with a gift from the club.

Chairman of the Board Nikolai Tolpygin, talking with the editor of the newspaper after the meeting, in particular, said:

“The Russian club in Strathfield celebrated a significant date - its 99th anniversary. More than 130 people attended, including club members and their friends. The age of the participants was the most diverse from 6-year-old children to veterans, whose age was approaching the age of the club! A delicious lunch with numerous mouth-watering dishes was prepared by our chef, Lyuba Kofman, who has been helping with the organization of gala lunches and dinners for many years.

The atmosphere in the hall was festive and very lively, especially when kids, young and old people danced to the energetic pop and folk music performed by Alexei Ilyukevich. We were lucky to be the first spectators to perform two songs from the musical "The Importance of Being Ernest". This new performance of the musical theater DoReMix "The Importance of Being Ernest" will be held at the Russian Club from 22 to 24 September.

With exactly one year to go until the club's centenary, the board and an active group of assistants will try to make it memorable. As a reminder, if you don't want to miss out on this event, you should reserve your seats now as planning is in full swing!

And, finally, I want to note that the Russian Club has existed and exists thanks to the generosity and hard work of its volunteers, for which the Board and members of the club are eternally grateful to them.”

The atmosphere was very friendly, because old friends gathered in the club, whose friendship has stood the test of many decades. People came from different parts of Sydney and surrounding small towns.

Unity will try to keep you up to date with preparations for the centenary, but in the meantime, on the website and in the print newspaper, as well as on the club's new website www.therussianclub.com.au, you can find out about upcoming events and see photos of past events that are taking place in club almost weekly.

Vladimir KOUZMIN