On the first Thursday evening way back in mid 1991 half a dozen or so Swannies finally finished the inside painting, cabinet work, doors, kitchen, boat bay racks and literally everything else inside of our then new Club building. 

The story goes back to the early 1970's when we were legally threatened by the City of Perth not only with eviction but also the cost to demolish our then Club building next door to where Wests still stand today in Perth water at Barrack Street. 

We didn't have the resources to fight the ruthless couldn't-care-less City of Perth, so moved our rowing to a bay in the RWA building, nowadays occupied by John XXIII. Then with great sadness we demolished our Club as we didn't have the funds to pay a demolition bill: it would have sent us bankrupt.

By the mid 80's we were down to a dozen or so members and close to folding as a Club. With the persistence which is strong in our Club, we finally secured the site where we now sit. The near impossible challenge was then to find the money to build. 

That is a story in itself for another day but we raised enough to get the functioning shell of the building and then relied on the huge effort of still not many members to buy the materials for a massive do - it - yourself project over several years to complete our new home .

On that Thursday evening when all was finally finished, we reckoned a quiet celebratory beer was in order. One of the crew remembered he had a portable picnic barbecue in his car so across the road we went  to Charlie Carters which today is IGA for a steak each to go with the VB stubbies. We can't remember too much of later in that evening (must have been the steaks!) but did make a promise to repeat the evening on the first Thursday of every month. 

That social occasion for all members continued until just 3 years ago when Brian Nash could not find anyone to take on the organising role and so sadly steak nights stopped.  

Now we're delighted that Brendan Murray has kindly offered to take on the role and we can restart steak nights. 

So ALL members young, old, new, ancient, male or female please make note of early evening Thursday 7 June with details to follow.

This has the enthusiastic backing of your committee so do come along to meet and chat to members seen in the boat bay but who often don't have time for a chat.

And please if you know of recent or ancient Swannies who may no longer be members, send them this email as an invitation to join us!