Spice correspondent, Roderick Eime, travelled to Lithgow for a first hand look at the new, 129-year-old ‘Workies’.
The addition of 36 4-star motel-style rooms in a purpose built block adjacent the main building in Tank St, Lithgow, has reinforced the venue as the preeminent MICE location in this historic regional centre.
An art gallery, formal restaurant and multi-purpose entertainment/conference space are also part of the extensive facelift.
Apart from the new accommodations, the new and expansive ‘Showroom’ entertainment space can be configured for small or large meetings, performances or seminars.
The club’s general manager, Geoff Wheeler, said the newly upgraded facilities are now ready to appeal to customers ‘across the world, across the state or across the road’.
A recent gala opening saw the official ceremony MCed by Sydney Weekender star and former test cricketer, Mike Whitney, with the TV host proclaiming Lithgow as one of the most welcoming towns he’s visited in the New South Wales.
“Stepping into the club today, I really felt like one of the family and that’s what makes this place special. I promise here and now to bring the Sydney Weekender team back to shoot a dedicated episode on Lithgow,” said Whitney.
Additionally, a new executive chef, Tim Standing, has been recruited to launch Esk Restaurant. With years of international experience, Standing is confident he can turn Esk into ‘the’ dining venue in the district.
“Customers will always want to order staple ‘club food’ like steaks and schnitzels but we intend to gradually introduce a more contemporary Australian menu featuring locally sourced produce,” said Standing.
The new renovations are expected to inject new life into the existing MICE facilities by providing greater variety of creative possibilities. The Workies already offers a range of function rooms to suit meetings of between 20 and 200 people. All spaces are fully catered and provide the latest AV technology with free WiFi in each of the Millennium Room, Tuscan Room and Waratah Room.
Lithgow Workmen’s Club is located at 3-7 Tank St, Lithgow NSW.
