Mercury Bay Club Inc. Foundation Committee
During early 1972 it became obvious to the Mercury Bay Returned Services Association. (R.S.A.)that it did not have the numbers or the finance to either build or support an application for a Club Charter.
As the 1972 population was then 980, consideration was then turned towards establishing a community club.
At a public meeting held on 18 October 1972, a Provisional Community Club was established, and the committee elected to carry on investigations. Those elected were Alan Clague – Chairman, Jack Maxwell, Secretary, Vic Crocombe, L. Hall, N Mitchell, Tony Boyce, Jack Thompson, Derek Boardman and Fred Young.
On 31 July in that year, the Inaugural Meeting of the Mercury Bay Club was held. Those eligible to attend and vote were all financial members of the Provisional Club as well as foundation members of the Mercury Bay Club. At this stage all the R.S.A. members were given the opportunity to become foundation members.
The Foundation and Establishment Committee elected were Alan Clague – President, Reg Newcombe – Vice President, Annette Newcombe – Treasurer, Jack Maxwell – Hon Secretary, Committee: Vic Crocombe, Graham Patchett, Cres Anderson, Heaton Balsam, Jack Thompson, Ash Cummings, Jack O’Sullivan, Cushla Willis and Max Leadley.
The Club was Incorporated in November 1974. Jack Maxwell was appointed the Project Manager. The cost of the complex was $184,000. $45,000 had been subscribed by the way of members’ loans. Membership granted by the L.C.C. was 650 (272 were female members). The Mercury Bay Club opened on 22 June 1976.
In order to preserve the relationship between the Mercury Bay Club Inc. and the Mercury Bay Returned Services Association, the following resolutions were passed and recorded accordingly.
Resolution of Extraordinary General Meeting 24 November 1975
This General Meeting of Members, coinciding in the time with the winding of preliminaries and the first steps being taken in the practical establishment of the Club, acknowledges the role of Mercury Bay R.S.A. in helping provide this facility for the people of the Bay District, and recognises that but for the financial accommodation provided by the Mercury Bay R.S.A., he project could not at this time and in this manner have been made to prosper. This General Meeting recommends to future administrations and members of the Club that they give their best considerations in furthering the activities and aspirations of the Mercury Bay R.S.A. in so far as the law and rules of the Club will allow.
The Annual General Meeting of the Club held in July 1978 passed the following resolution in confirmation:
“This General Meeting of members reaffirms the sentiments expressed in the resolution of 24 November 1975 in regard to the Club’s association with the Mercury Bay R.S.A. and approves of the arrangements now in operation in providing facilities for R.S.A. activities.
Mercury Bay Club’s Crest (as shown on the front cover of this rule book) depicts Captain Cook’s ship, The Endeavour at anchor in Mercury Bay. The Transit of Mercury was observed from the Purangi River mouth. Incorporated in the Crest is the Club’s Motto, “Friendship and Fellowship.”
You are invited to the 50th Celebrations Saturday, 27 June, 2026
