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The Royal Automobile Club of Australia in Sydney shares a proud history of supporting Australia’s retired and serving defence personnel, providing a place to kick back, unwind and share common experiences.
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Established in the early days of Australia as a nation, the Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA) in conjunction with the incorporated Imperial Services Club provides a venue for Australia's retired and serving defence personnel with an environment to remember fallen comrades, share stories and take their mind off their service.
Jim Warren, vice president of RACA and a former Naval officer who served during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation, told Defence Connect, "The great thing about the club is that it provides a sense of camaraderie and closeness for retired or serving members in an environment steeped in the atmosphere and tradition of military service."
The combination of RACA and the Imperial Services Club draws on the history of the club that was originally founded to provide an avenue for Australia's early veterans to meet and maintain their connections, with an early foundational document stating, "It is scarcely possible to emphasise too strongly the necessity for such a Club as this, which will be a rallying point for the Officers who have served and will bind them into one strong uniting body, which they certainly were on service."
As a membership club, RACA provides a range of services with unique specials for active and retired service personnel, including a range of accommodation options, private gym and inner city parking for members who work in and around the CBD at a convenient location at the heart of Circular Quay.
"Importantly for younger veterans, the club provides a safe, inner city environment where they can use the state-of-the-art gym, book accommodation or host board meetings and corporate events," Warren added.
Membership to RACA is open to both ladies and gentlemen, with active duty, retired and reserves personnel enjoying special membership rates, which includes a number of additional benefits:
- Entry to a global network of 200 reciprocal clubs;
- Free NRMA Roadside Assistance;
- Reduced members only rates for any of the seven corporate conference or function rooms;
- Reduced members only rates on accommodation;
- Access to the members lounge and bar;
- Access to onsite secure valet parking; and
- Complimentary access to the on-site business centre.
Warren said, "As more veterans shift into corporate roles, RACA's corporate facilities, particularly the business centre and the corporate and conference rooms, provide a reliable and central location for them to conduct business or corporate events."
The Imperial Service Club was incorporated within the Royal Automobile Club of Australia in 1986, bringing with it a history stretching back to the First World War. Today the tradition continues in the Imperial Service Club room on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse, with regular events run by members groups such as the Regular Army Officers (RAOLC).
The RAOLC has always been for serving and retired Regular Army Officers (men and women) and their occasional guests. On limited special occasions and by mutual agreement, other service related organisations and commemorative events may join the RAOLC for lunch.
These may include events such as Military Anniversaries, RMC Duntroon Graduations and book launches on military topics. These are often arranged through RACA Functions but may be initiated by the Convenors of RAOLC.
"RACA has maintained a proud history of supporting Australia's armed services personnel dating back to the First World War and looks forward to embracing the next generation of Australian veterans," Warren said.
As we get closer to Anzac Day, RACA is hosting an Anzac Day lunch on Tuesday, 16 April. More information, including membership details for the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, is available here.
