Darlington Point's Sunshine Club celebrates 60 years of giving

Darlington Point's Sunshine Club will be celebrating their 60^th year of existence with a luncheon at the Darlington Point Sports Club on March 21.

Founded in 1960 as an extension of Griffith's 2RG Sunshine Club - a club developed to help women of the MIA form friendships and fund-raise for charities - the Darlington Point branch is one of a small group of branches left in the state and the only branch left in the MIA.

Club president Sue Porter said it was great to reach the milestone and while the club's activities have changed in the six decades since founding, the core goal of helping raise funds has not gone away - with plans to donate to five charities and local services over the coming year.

"It's a long time for a small club," Ms Porter said.

"We cater for local funerals, that's what we do the most of [at the moment]... every second year we cater for Anzac Day... and really anything else the community needs catering for.

"All of what we make - and our raffles are quite successful - we give away to charities."

The club has raised funds for services such as the swimming pool, the school, the RFS as well as charities outside of the town over the years, with more than $64,000 donated since the club's inception.

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At the peak of the club's membership in the 1960s, members would also tune into a weekly radio program broadcast by Griffith station 2RG and 'fine' other members of the club for a range of humorous or bold reasons under their own nicknames, with all the fines collected going to charity.

Members of the club also had a big hand in the arranging of the town's debutante balls, which took place a number of times between the 1960s and the 1990s.

Founding vice president of the club Jean Jones said "friendship from the ladies and other members" was what has kept her an integral part of the club for six decades - continuing to hold the post of Secretary Treasurer which she has held for the past 57 years - with her also holding fond memories of the balls the club held.

"They were always pleasing when it was over and that meant everything went right!" Ms Jones said.

Ms Porter said the luncheon will see the handing over of donations to the charities involved with the club for this year as well as a historical display detailing the history of the club, with a further call-out made for any old members of the club to come join in on the festivities.

The club continues to meet monthly but Ms Porter said new members are welcome to join up at any time for a small fee of $5, with the club's annual general meeting to be held on February 24.

It has already been a positive year for the Sunshine Club, with the club honoured with Darlington Point's Event/Group Achievement of the Year in the town's Australia Day Awards.

Tickets for the event are $20 and those wishing to attend the event must confirm their attendance with Ms Jones on 6968 4295 before February 29.