August 2001 Volume 82 Number 8 "serving the protectors"
By Bernadette Zimmermann PASA committee member

The return of pay night camaraderie

If you thought the pay night “disco” was well and truly a thing of the past, you could be wrong. The recent “Demolition Party” (aimed at bidding farewell to the former Angas Street police headquarters building before it is levelled) was held at the Police Club on a Wednesday night in June. It also happened to be a pay night. So what? That’s probably most people’s first reaction, since pay night means just about nothing now for a number of reasons. But for many of us, any excuse will do to meet en masse at the club. The fact that it was also a pay night may have conjured up different images for different people.

Memories of Nelsons’ Beach romances (ask someone in their 30s and above about the location of the “beach”) and other antics on the top floor above the club, (which I love to remind Andy Dunn and Peter Alexander is now the area of their office) must have come flooding back for many members. While it was advertised as a party for anyone who had ever stepped foot inside the former HQ building, it fast became known as a “pay night disco” (which enjoyed its heyday through most of the 1980s).

I don’t think anyone really had any idea as to how many people might turn up. First estimations probably concluded that few people would be interested. I’m sure the organizers knew it was one of those shows in which the level of interest would not be easy to guess. Nevertheless, the flyers went up and the rest is now history.

The club, on Wednesday June 27, 2001 - a pay night - was packed. Familiarity and camaraderie was the order of the day. Standing room only ensured that many conversations that might have otherwise not taken place happened between past and present members. Most LSA districts were represented by at least a member or two and it was very pleasing to see past members like John Winkworth (from the old club committee) also joining in the family-like atmosphere.

I have heard people like Peter Alexander use the term “police family” at a number of different shows over the past few years. It has a special meaning, which refers to the unique bond we so often forge with people we might otherwise have little in common with. This “bond” is formed as a result of a unique occupation, which continually exposes us to the bizarre side of human life. At the club, among past and present members, that bond remains and it was evident at the Demolition Party/Pay Night Disco on June 27. Even though there was no actual disco, the familiar people and surrounds of the club made for an excellent night.

Metro South Branch conference delegate, Julie Worthley, hatched the idea and followed it through. She did well. Let’s hope we see a pay night show a couple of times a year so that past and present members of the Police Association can meet in the familiar surrounds of one of the last Australian police clubs.

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