THE Leader reported in 1963 that the club was "one of the most modern and palatial in the southern hemisphere".
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"With floors on three levels, it incorporates a gymnasium, squash courts, games room, library, spacious dining room and male bar with a floor area of 120 feet by 80 feet.
"Club members claim the building reaches an all-time peak in architectural design and functional interior planning.
"General styling through-out the building was so advanced it would remain tastefully modern for a lifetime," they said.
"So modern is the building that Kogarah aldermen said it would give the municipality a Commonwealth-wide reputation for advancement."
Two weeks after the opening, the paper reported Kogarah Council had received complaints about noise from the new club, with a meeting sought by the Beverly Park Progress Association.
'I'm dreaming'
BERYL Mackie thought she had been dreaming after seeing the club for the first time.
The widow of long-term chairman Alex Mackie said it was "so fantastic" she spent the whole night "oohing and aahing"'.
Bruce Hancock, who began working for the club in 1956 and is its longest serving employee, recalled the bar price of "a shilling a beer" and football "greats" Graeme Langlands and Billy Smith working in the cellar, and Rod Reddy as a kitchen storeman.
Former senator Doug McClelland, George Anthony and Mahesh Kapadia, all life members, also had many stories to tell.
Mr McClelland said the directors showed great foresight developing the club on sporting grounds of Prince Edward Park.
The club's old building, in Princes Highway, Kogarah, is now part of Bethany College.
