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DEMOCRATIC CLUB
All human institutions have histories. Each has had a beginning, an ideal. Each has played some part in the affairs of the people.
The Barrier Social Democratic Club had its origin in 1903 and its purpose is emphasised in its very name, the achievement of social democracy. Its ideology is expressed in that title.
The Barrier Social Democratic Club was born of recognition of the need of education among the working class lines, need of workers being drawn together in a social atmosphere where exchange of opinions and discussion of difficulties may proceed, and where some general community interest may be exploited for the common good of all its members.
The club had a modest beginning. In the early part of 1903 a small group of workers decided to revive the defunct Democratic Committee and held a meeting of those interested in the movement.
The meeting eventuated at the Trades Hall on Sunday. July 19, 1903. The forty present decided to form what has been subsequently called the Social Democratic Club, the objectives being: the education of the people in the principles of social democracy by holding meetings; the creation of a circulating library; and the establishment of a club room, book depot and reference library for the use of members.
The original officials of the club were J. Poole, President; G. Dale, Vice President; J.T. Hogan, Secretary-treasurer; G. Mathews, C. Couls, C. Knaust and R.S. Ross, Committee Men.
Then came the weekly meetings which were held in the Trades Hall on Sunday evenings. The records show that these were mostly occupied with debates on various subjects that affected the workers. On August 29, 1903, the club formed a choral society, in which 26 were enrolled. On Sunday, November 8, 1903, J. Pool resigned as President because he was leaving the district and C. Knaust became the club's second President. In this period the women folk played a part in the club's activities and they formed a committee for organising the different wards that existed under the act that governed municipal affairs. They canvassed and organised on behalf of Labor and here the names of that committee will be of historical interest. They were Mrs C. Knaust, Miss L. Knaust (now Mrs J. Ryder), Mrs Hendry, Mrs E. Stephens, Miss Lovlace and Mrs Tweedie.
The clubs activities continued to grow, as did its membership. On Saturday nights the male members were drawn together at supper.
On February 16, 1904, moonlight excursions to Silverton were introduced but lapsed with the coming of the cold weather in March of that year.
The need of clubs premises forced its recognition. On March 13, 1904, a meeting was held at which new rules with the same objective were adopted, and it was decided to open the club room in Sulphide Street the following day. J. T. Hogan was appointed secretary and chief steward and C. Coulls under steward.
So meteoric was the rise of the club, so extended were its activities and enlarged its membership that it became vitally necessary to secure new premises. In July 1904 the club moved to a site in Argent Street owned by Drew and Co. with a club membership of 1,993. Then it became the Social Democratic Club.
Anything more than merely a brief summary of the Club's affairs would be impossible here, but it may in truth be emphasised that the institution has played no small part in the affairs of the Labor movement and has by its social activities kept members in comradely touch with each other to the education and enjoyment of us all. The club has experienced in its advances and reverses in accord with the swing of the industrial pendulum, but has weathered every billow and survived every storm. Labor sentiments has dominated the club in every sense of the word and its members have occupied every position of trust at some time or other in the public or union life of Broken Hill. Its working members are all unionists and have thrown themselves into each fight, industrial or political, that has paved the way to better conditions for those who worked
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