When the Fremantle Workers Club abruptly closed its doors in May 2011 Don Whittington never imagined it would arise to see its 100th birthday.

The Henry Street club was $250,000 in the red, liquadators were called in, furniture and TVs were flogged off and members were resigned to winding up the club.

At the final meeting to dissolve the club in September 2011, Mr Whittington grabbed the microphone in a desperate attempt to keep it going.

“The club tried to convince the membership they had no other alternative but to wind the club up and sell the premises, pay all the debts and dispose of the proceeds,” he said.

“I was overseas from the whole period of the closure from May to September and got back the week of the final meeting.

“I grabbed my neighbour’s motion and said we may have to sell the premises but we don’t have to wind up the club.”

For his sins, Mr Whittington was made membership representative on the spot and given the job of negotiating with creditors.

He managed to secure a loan for the club, then re-opened it on January 21, 2012.

On February 2, it turns 100.

Club founder Billy Clare established the club at the former Lodge’s Hotel at 1 Henry Street back in 1914. But it wasn’t officially opened until June 2, 1914 because it had to wait to get granted a club licence.

It moved to its current digs at 7-9 Henry Street in 1956.

Mr Whittington—now the club president—says he’d wanted to save the club because it’s a “Fremantle institution”.

“I think it’s very important. A lot of our members are socially isolated and a lot of them never went out when it was shut. They were devastated it was closed. Just devastated.

“Now they are here every Sunday dancing. I have people in their 90s that come down.”

The former herbs and spices king says the club is planning a number of shindigs throughout the year to celebrate its centenary.

The first soiree kicks off January 31 with Stinger and Swainy singing ditties from 1914.

On February 2 Fossil Rock, who headlined the club’s re-opening two years ago, will be back to belt out classics from the ’70s, ’80s, and beyond.

“I’m getting the word out to past members, current members and perspective members to come to the club on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Mr Whittington says.

With 600-plus members now on the books and new energy pumped into the place, Mr Whittington says the club will be around for a few more years yet.

“Just as I said at the meeting two years, ago, we will survive for another 100 years if the memberships wishes.”

by BRENDAN FOSTER