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It’s all been happening over the past month at east Auckland’s busy Howick Club as its thousands of members celebrate its 40th anniversary.
The then-Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves cut the ribbon to officially open the club at a ceremony in 1985.
“We’ve grown hugely over the years from the beginning,” club president Dawn Mills says.
“It was very difficult getting enough people together to form a charter club.
“That was all done by many of our long-term people. They found and bought the land and decided some form of meeting place was required in Howick.”
General manager Steve Flint adds: “They wanted it to be family-based and that’s something we’ve stuck with since then.
“We’re a place families can come to and we do loads of stuff for kids.
“On Sundays during winter we do kids’ discos and get 150 to 200 kids with their families and we put a DJ on for them and they dance away.
“We also do a laser light show which is absolutely amazing.”
Since those early days the club has become one of the community’s key social hubs, offering everything from line dancing to buffet meals, quizzes, concerts, live sport on TV, laser light shows, a large outdoor playground, monthly day trips, children’s discos, and so much more.
Several well-attended functions were on the club’s calendar as part of its bustling anniversary celebrations.
Among them was a live concert by The Monroes, featuring “non-stop 80s hits, good vibes, and pure nostalgia”.
There was also a have-a-go-day, giving members the chance to try out the full range of activities offered by its various sub-sections, such as table tennis, indoor bowls, fishing, golf, touch rugby, and darts.
For members aged over 18 there was also wine tasting, snooker, and 8-ball pool in the sports bar.
The club isn’t just about entertainment, as it’s also raised money for charity.
Flint says a recent raffle and silent auction of 35 teddy bears donated by a member raised about $500 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which supports sick children and their families.
Each Christmas the club also gives away presents to hundreds of children.
The club has about 5,500 paid members, Flint says.
It costs $250 to join the club as a full member and then about $100 a year after that.
“With that they can have a social member, which is a partner of full member and who doesn’t have to pay a joining fee,” he says.
“It’s half a sub so it would cost them $50 a year, as long as a full member stays on.
“And then we have youth members and senior members.”
