Navy Club stands the test of time
John Spreadborough plonks himself on a seat on the third floor of the Navy Club.
Behind him out to the west stretch views across the rooftops, past Fremantle's historic Roundhouse and on to the ocean twinkling in the distance.
Through the windows facing north looms the wharf that has shaped Fremantle's identity and remains such a visible presence from raised vantage points around the port city.
Mr Spreadborough, the Navy Club's honorary secretary, said the view was one of the reasons that the club had been able to stand against the tide of history, which had put pressure on the viability of the city's old clubs.
Another factor was the use of the second floor of the club's home on the corner of High Street and Pakenham Street for special functions as well as musical entertainment such as jazz afternoons.
Patronage and membership has undergone quite a change since it was set up.
Its origins lie in a charter issued in January 1945 to form the City of Fremantle Sub Section of the Naval Association of Australia.
A clubhouse was soon in operation, with soft drinks over the bar going for threepence a glass and dry ginger at sixpence a bottle.
In 1948, the club tapped its first 10-gallon keg and held its first ladies' night, and as the years went it was opened up beyond ex-naval association members.
Refrigeration was installed in 1951 and the Navy Club joined the local darts association in 1953, when it started serving cheap, wholesome midday meals.
The club moved from Marine Terrace to its more manageable current home in 1993 as it devised ways to diversify to survive.
Mr Spreadborough said club membership went up and down to reflect the general strength of the economy and the community's spending power.
The club currently has about 350 members from all walks of life including former and serving members of the navy, and the walls are covered with all manner of naval memorabilia.
Mr Spreadborough served in the navy from 1963 to 1975 and has been a club member for about 25 years.
One of his favourite items on display is a knife and fork from German raider Sea Devil dating to 1918, which is mounted on a wall not far from part of the firing mechanism from the submarine Otway.
Stephen Hobbs, of Mosman Park, a member since 1971, said the club was a place where it was possible to relax "without a jukebox blaring".
And the attraction was simple.
"Have a couple of beers and catch up with everybody."
