26-845: The Royal Automobile Club of Australia ( RACA ) is an Australian motoring organisation, which has also incorporated the Australian Imperial Services Club since 1987. The RACA was established in March 1903 in Sydney , and is the oldest motoring club in Australia , founded by Henry Alfred ‘Harrie’ Skinner , WE Fisher and HE Jones. The organisation also advocated for specific localised issues for motorists in Sydney. The Royal Automobile Club of Australia had an important role in shaping early motoring legislation, in safeguarding
52-889: A list of donations including £2000 from the State government and £400 from the Australian Jockey Club . It is uncertain whether the Phillip Street premises were ever occupied. (If they were, it is an interesting coincidence that the ISC would have been a near neighbour of RACA, which occupied 132–134 Phillip Street at this time.) Certainly by the 1930s the Imperial Service Club was operating from what were to be long-held rooms in Barrack Street. One of Sydney's shortest streets, Barrack Street once formed
78-948: A merger due to financial issues, STC members voted against a merger as they were financially stable. Nevertheless, the board of the STC decided to proceed with a merger. The Australian Jockey and Sydney Turf Clubs Merger Act 2010 merged the two clubs under the name of the Australian Turf Club. Five venues are operated by the ATC: ATC's Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival includes the Golden Slipper Carnival at Rosehill Gardens consisting of Ladies Day, Golden Slipper Day and Stakes Day, followed by three racedays at Royal Randwick: The Championships Day 1 (Derby Day), The Championships Day 2 (Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day) and All Aged Stakes Day. The Everest Carnival in spring features
104-541: A year at the tracks and empowered it to wind up other proprietary clubs that still existed in the Sydney area through a special Racing Compensation Fund. Both the AJC and the STC had co-existed as independent bodies since the early 1940s. However, the first push for a merger came at the start of the century, with STC chairman Graeme Pash opening up the possibility of a merger during his tenure. Mentioned briefly in jest by Sydney Morning Herald journalist Craig Young in 2003,
130-650: The NRMA ceased offering these services with members gaining reciprocal access to NRMA provided services. The RACA is a member of the Australian Automobile Association . The first office bearers of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA), in 1903, were: 33°51′42″S 151°12′46″E / 33.8618°S 151.2128°E / -33.8618; 151.2128 Imperial Service Club The Imperial Service Club
156-540: The Australian Jockey Club ( AJC ) and the Sydney Turf Club ( STC ) merged. The ATC primarily operates out of their offices at Randwick Racecourse and employs approximately 270 full-time staff and over 1,000 casual staff across the five venues. The venues include Randwick, Rosehill Gardens , Canterbury Park , Warwick Farm and the Rosehill Bowling Club. The Australian Jockey Club (AJC)
182-694: The Second World War . In 1942, when the crucial role of the 2/17th Battalion in the Battle of El Alamein was learned, ISC members from the 1/17th sent a message of congratulations to their successors. This message was said to have "tickled them most of all". The Imperial Service Club's next premises were in York Street . Facilities included a small gymnasium, a steam and sauna room, billiards tables, and public and private dining rooms. Characters still fondly remembered by members today included Betty
208-672: The Victoria Racing Club , formulated the Rules of Racing that are followed by all Australian race clubs. The Sydney Turf Club (STC) was founded in 1943 and was the youngest of Australia's principal race clubs. It was formed following an Act passed by the New South Wales parliament called the Sydney Turf Club Act. The Act had taken 40 years to draft and gave the club the power to hold 62 race meetings
234-492: The "always full" dining room, enjoying his sandwich and cup of tea. Newly commissioned young officers would usually be invited to York Street by other officers for a celebratory drink. The York Street premises proved the Club's downfall. A fixed rent had been negotiated, but a vital clause in the contract was overlooked, allowing the raising of rent to market rates after a fixed period. This came into effect in 1984/5, almost doubling
260-702: The Club's rent. In April 1985 the Sydney Morning Herald reported a proposal by the ISC to the Union Club in Bent Street regarding a merger. The article detailed the Club's declining membership accompanied by escalating average fees, from a high of 4145 members and average fees of $ 31 in 1974, to 1574 members and fees of $ 260 in 1985. "Each day brings us nearer to the inevitable liquidation", said ISC President Colonel Browne. The Club's problems were attributed to "declining membership, coupled with
286-581: The First World War, “including graduates of Duntroon Military and Jervis Bay Naval Colleges”. The second floor of the Elizabeth Street building was fitted out to include a Smoking and Reading Room, a Billiards Room with one table, Dining and Card Rooms, and a Lounge. A dormitory and servants’ quarters were provided on the fifth floor. Soon after the Club was opened it became apparent that the Elizabeth Street premises were too small, and it
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#1732783822107312-600: The Officers who have served and will bind them into one strong united body, which they certainly were on service". The objects of the Club were stated as: According to a fund-raising document issued in 1919, the qualifications for ISC membership were “Commissioned rank in HM Naval or Military Forces, and Active Service in a War of the Empire”. It was also intended to later admit those officers who were not of military age during
338-621: The Union Club did not accept lady members. So the Imperial Club approached me and, after due discussion with the RACA Council, we decided that we would go ahead with a merger.” The Imperial Service Club was incorporated within RACA in 1986. At RACA's annual general meeting of February 1987, a special resolution was passed that the name of the club be changed to Royal Automobile Club of Australia incorporating Imperial Service Club. The ISC
364-557: The cashier, who "knew everyone and everything", and Rupert the waiter, who was kept on even when he "got the shakes" in later life. Celebrated regulars included Brigadier Sir F 'Black Jack' Galleghan , who had commanded AIF troops in Changi and later became deputy head of the Commonwealth Investigation Service (which evolved from the wartime Military Intelligence Bureau). He could be seen most lunchtimes in
390-532: The de Groot incident is alleged to have been planned in the ISC's Barrack Street rooms, according to Sydney historian Shirley Fitzgerald. On 19 March 1932, Francis Edward de Groot, described by the Sydney Morning Herald as "an officer of the New Guard", rode past Premier Jack Lang and cut the ribbon on the Bridge, shouting "I declare this bridge open on behalf of the respectable citizens of New South Wales". He
416-462: The effect of inflation, random breath testing and changing community attitudes towards clubs". It also noted the Club's reduction to only "dining facilities and a small bank of poker machines". The Union Club merger was rejected the following week. RACA's then President, Basil Clifton, later recalled that the Union club had a problem because "at that time some nurses were members of the Imperial Club but
442-624: The first real push for a merger came with the release of a report by Ernst & Young in June 2009 which recommended that a merger would save the New South Wales racing industry from collapse. The Government of New South Wales pledged $ 174 million for Sydney racing if the merger went ahead, including a major revitalisation of Randwick Racecourse . The move for a merger was controversial, with members of both clubs hesitant to lose their respective identities. While AJC members voted in favour of
468-413: The front portion, obtaining a total of four floors and a basement for a total cost estimated, including purchase, at £36,000. Of this, it was necessary to raise £11,600 by direct appeal to the members. The Club President, Commander RS Lambton, sent out a letter describing the situation as "almost a matter of 'life or death' – 'club or no club'". The results of the appeal for funds are unrecorded, other than
494-556: The need and realised the national value of such an institution". The first ideas for this institution may have emerged from the Oxford Hotel at the corner of King and Phillip Streets , a regular meeting house for the Royal New South Wales Lancers. An early Club document proclaimed, "It is scarcely possible to emphasise too strongly the necessity for such a Club as this, which will be a rallying point for
520-606: The rights of motorists, and in establishing motorsport in Australia . In the 1920s and 1930s it was involved in organising hill climbing races, and similar events in New South Wales. Most states of Australia have organisations named Royal Automobile Club with the state names added: Royal Automobile Club of Queensland , Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania , Royal Automobile Club of Victoria , Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia . The organisation used to provide roadside service and insurance but in 1945 in an agreement with
546-719: The side gate of the George Street military barracks. The Club was situated on several floors above Sydney's first Savings Bank, the Savings Bank of New South Wales, later the Government Savings Bank. Barrack Street itself survived potential demolition under Dr. Bradfield's plans to extend a 100 ft-wide Martin Place to York Street as part of Sydney's redesign in preparation for the new Harbour Bridge. The Harbour Bridge provides another ISC connection;
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#1732783822107572-477: Was a club for Australian military officers returning from war service. The club was incorporated into the Royal Automobile Club of Australia ( RACA ) in 1986, bringing with it a history stretching back to World War I . The ISC's first premises were in Penzance Chambers at 29 Elizabeth Street, Sydney . These were secured and furnished at the end of 1917 by a committee of returned officers who "felt
598-789: Was allowed to devolve its assets into RACA as a subsidiary company, ISC Holdings Pty Ltd. The voluntary liquidation of this company was begun in 1991, the first distribution of $ 1,700,000 being noted in the RACA President's Report of that year. RACA's 100th year saw the opening of the newly refurbished ISC Lounge on the third floor of the Macquarie Street Clubhouse. From there the Imperial Service Club continues its activities. Australian Jockey Club Australian Turf Club ( ATC ) owns and operates thoroughbred racing, events and hospitality venues across Sydney , Australia. The ATC came into being on 7 February 2011 when
624-442: Was arrested and charged with "being deemed to be insane" and released the next day. With Lang's nationalism anathema to the officer and commercial classes, current ISC members agree it likely that such an "officers' coup" could have originated in the city's primary meeting place for commissioned servicemen. The Club became the venue of choice for Battalion reunions and annual dinners. Links were maintained with forces in action during
650-787: Was decided at a general meeting held at the end of 1918 to purchase a site and build new premises. By 1 September 1919, the Club had 900 members, and distinguished visitors to the Club had included the Governor-General Sir Ronald Ferguson, the State Governor Sir Walter Davidson , and the Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe . The Committee purchased three buildings covering a 62 ft frontage at 140, 142 and 144 Phillip Street, and produced plans to remodel
676-632: Was founded in January 1842. It morphed from the former Australian Racing Committee set up in May 1840 to set the standards for racing in the colony. Races were held at the newly established Homebush Course which was headquarters of NSW racing until 1860. The AJC was considered the senior racing club in Australia and was responsible for founding the Australian Stud Book , which the combined club still oversees today. The club also, in conjunction with
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