The Club is the identity that the Institute Theatre has held for about five years prior to being refurbished and transformed into a theatre and performance space. We reflect on what it has meant to young people of Port Augusta to share this amazing place, and thank Hannah Goldsworthy for contributing this story about the many wonderful days of The Club.
Imagine, if you will, a place where anything is possible.
Ok, so maybe not anything , but for a fifteen year old girl who didn't even know it existed, definitely a lot.
Air guitar competition- with a real guitar as first prize? Check.
Bluelight disco? Why not!
Impromptu badminton match? Pass me a racquet!
The truth of the matter is, that if you could dream it, organise it and go through with it, it could happen.
Where exists such a place, you may well ask.
This place was quite simply named 'The Club', a name which offers very little clue as to what occurred within it, and yet a name that to those who knew and loved it couldn't possibly have be any better suited.
My first experience of The Club was as a member of the Youth Advisory Committee, when I was fifteen. My first thought when I found out about all of the cool activities that were run through The Club was 'wow'.
The Youth Advisory Committee and the Youth Activities Service Coordinator at the time, Dave McRae, organised and ran all of the different activities, which ranged from 'Rage At The Stage' to film making, to float making for the local Christmas pageant.
Just to give you a clear view of the many activities that were run during the time that I knew The Club, here is a broad (but not completely exhaustive) list of what I can remember:
The Gamers Republic- a group of like-minded gamers would get together to discuss and play on different game formats including X-Box, PS2 and Game Cube. The steering committee organised fortnightly meetings where they would discuss ways to make it better, and activities they could run that would be of interest to local gamers.
Film Making- along with various workshops over the years, local youth were able to make their own films whenever they wanted, utilising not only cameras, but editing software to polish and edit. Some of these films were for leisure, and others were entered into various competitions. Of course, I may be a little biased, but these films were generally of a high standard.
Drama Group- this group organised and ran a drama workshop which included different theatre sports. The people that attended this workshop were then involved in a local production called Bang Bang You're Dead , a play by William Mastrosimone. This production was completely organised and run by young people aged between fourteen and nineteen.
Music Activities- these included the Muso Magic workshops, in which young people wrote, recorded and had a launch for a song over three days. Bands also used The Club to rehearse once a week, and some of these bands from years gone by are still going strong.
Relay for Life- the Club was the 'meeting room' for the local Relay For Life organising committee. The YAC also sent a team over to Port Pirie in 2005, was involved in the organisation and contributed a team in the Port Augusta 2006 Relay, and ran activities at the 2007 Port Augusta Relay.
Air Guitar Competition- this event was organised as a fundraiser for the 2006 Relay For Life, with Fender donating a guitar as first prize, and twelve very brave people getting up there and giving it a go, with even a competitor from out of town entering. There was also a very impressive crowd out for the night, with all proceeds going to the Cancer Council.
Discos- most of the members of the YAC had been involved in using the DJ equipment, and a few of the events they worked at included Bluelight Discos, School Discos, Youth Week, Rage At The Stage, Mental Health Week Launch etc.
More to the point, The Club was a meeting point for all kinds of different young people where they could meet people that shared their interests, and be involved constructively in the community.
I can honestly say that I have been proud to be a part of this 'family' and have gained precious friendships and memories that will stay with me forever.
