Historical information

BDSC - Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club. The Servicemen's Club 73 - 75 Havilah Rd was a Co - Operative of the 3 Bendigo RSL's being Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat & Eaglehawk Sub Branches. In 1977 the Bendigo, Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat RSL Co operative Society Ltd was formed with Mr Des Paterson as Chairman and Mr Jack Barnes as Secretary. The Co op owned the facility and the Bendigo & District Servicemen's Club was formed to operate the facility. It was built in 1978 and a liquor license was finally granted in August 1979 and opened. It was officially opened on December 19th 1979 by the Hon R.J. Hamer premier of Victoria. In the year 2000 the premises became the Bendigo District RSL Sub Branch Inc.

Des Paterson was also on the of the BDSC Committee until 1984. He was heavily involved in the establishment of the BDSC. With the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch he was elected to Committee in 1973, Jnr Vice President 1974, Snr Vice President 1975, President 1976. Jack Barnes first Secretary refer Cat No 8040.

Photograph BDSC. Roy Tayor was Bar Manager, refer Cat No 5687, Arthur Harridge Secretary 1979, Bill Nichols (William Bona) was President from 1978 - 80, he was made a Life member of in 1981. He was acknowledged as the driving force behind the establishment of the Club. With the Bendigo RSL Sub Branch he was elected to Committee 1961, 1966 - 68, 1970 - 72, 1974 - 81 (14 years) He was President 1968, 1972, 1979, 0ne year as Jnr Vice and 4 as Snr Vice President. Refer Cat No 149.

Physical description

Photograph B & W framed brown timber, photo shows 3 x men in suits with beer in hand, they are standing behind a bar, rear has hand written notes on.

Inscriptions & markings

On rear, " BDSC - Roy Taylor Bar Manager - Arthur Harridge Secretary (79) - Bill Nichols Liquor Licence - formed 77 (Co op) built 78, licence 79 - 8621"