Important Dates in the History of the NELSON SUBURBAN CLUB

The Nelson Suburban Club was officially opened by Mr S. A. Whitehead M.P. on Saturday 17th October 1970. Initially the Club was licenced for a permitted maximum of 600 members, of whom 50 had to be women (The Club had applied for 1,000). Upon opening there was a further waiting list of 300, and the Club had a three year lease on the premises together with an option on a 10 acre block for possible future expansion. At the opening, Mr Whitehead M.P. was accompanied by the President Mr J. Ross, Vice-President Mr K. Ching, and the Mayor of Nelson Mr T.F.Horne.

The original aim was for a licensed Club to give social, recreational and welfare benefits to its members. First discussed at the Panama Hotel on Saturday 14th June 1969, a notice was published in the Nelson Mail on Tuesday 17th June 1969 calling a meeting for 19th June 1969 at the Old Boys Rugby Club Rooms, to place proposals for a multi-purpose, country-type club before residents of the areas. Publicity officer Mr J.T.Ross said that several other licensed clubs in the district had restricted or closed membership lists.

A public meeting at the Stoke Memorial Hall on 10th September 1969 saw the election of officers, a recommendation to become Incorporated, the venue name to be the Nelson Suburban Club, and the joining fee set at $2.00, with annual membership at $3.00p.a.

Although, at the time, under the existing law women could not enter such a club on their own, every opportunity would be made for members to bring their wives or partners.

The Club never moved to the 10 acre site, and instead has developed on the original site, the Zip building, originally leased for 3 years and then a renewable lease for 2 years as temporary premises, which is where the Club remains today. The lease agreed was $3,000 plus $500 for one acre of land for parking.