Club Ashfield’s History
Club Ashfield has an extensive, rich and fascinating background to its historical formation which dates back to 1960s.
Originally an engineering workshop, 7 Charlotte Street was transformed into the original Ashfield Catholic Club from 1963 to 1966.
It all begun in the early 1960’s when funding for the local catholic schools was scarce, so Parish Priest of St Vincent’s Church Ashfield, Father J K O’ Reilly urged the Catholic community to form a club to support the local Catholic schools. The support was so widespread in the Ashfield area, that the residents rallied behind the development and helped facilitate the incorporation of the Ashfield Catholic Club in 1963.
Originally an engineering workshop, 7 Charlotte Street was transformed into the original Ashfield Catholic Club from 1963 to 1966. With the Club officially opening its doors on the 15th of October 1966 with 250 members and only two levels. Then only after 21 months of trading, the Club purchased 5 Charlotte Street, Ashfield with plans to extend. On the 13th of September 1968, the wheels were set in motion with the demolition of 5 Charlotte Street and with the assistance of our members a new three-story club was built. The new building consisted of an auditorium to seat 400 members, billiard room, and games room and bar service available on all floors.
The next major expansion was in 1982, when the Club acquired the fruit shop next door and extended to accommodate the growing number of members and to meet their changing catering demands, which had diversified over the years. Then in the late 1980’s, the first floor was refurbished into a bistro and a function room.
Now in 2020, the Club features a Club Lounge, outdoor area, 7 function rooms, office administration, two bars, and a Café. We also recently acquired 13-15 Charlotte Street, which consists of 4 units and a shop front.
There have been extensive improvements to the Club on the ground level, there has been the expansion of the new TAB area, a relaxing outdoor area that is set with a backdrop of sandstone features and water fountains. There have also been substantial renovations to Level 1 with the addition of a kid’s area which caters for children up to 12 years. The Club has also revamped the function rooms, the sunshine room with the addition of a executive board room with state -of–the-art facilities.
Today, Club Ashfield has approximately 4500 members. The success of the Club can be attributed to its promotions, the Bistro on Level 1, exciting entertainment, regular events and trading hours between 9am to 6am every day, seven days a week. The Club continues to exist as a social and sporting club providing to its members and members’ guest, Club facilities, sporting, musical, educational activities and other social amenities.
The Club will continue providing for its members and the local community, in supporting the local community with over $120,000 donations per year.