The following text is from a booklet published by the Federation of Netherlands Societies Ltd. in February 1985. The research for this booklet was done by Mijntje Hagen.
The Netherlands Australian Sports Club Wilhelmina Ltd. (N.A.S.C) was a club with its own building and therefore an enormous number of activities going on. To state a few: dance evenings, family evenings, a klaverjasclub and the reason for the founding of the club, the very popular Dutch billiards. Wilhelmina differs in another aspect from other clubs in that it leans more to the Australian way of spending leisure time. There are poker machines on the premises and the club is fully licensed. All this makes for a very lively atmosphere, and despite Australian influence in the club, the Wilhelmina Club is very Dutch. This club also has a monthly magazine which can be sent on request through the Secretary.
The origins of this club were very special, namely: to play Dutch billiards. This was first done at 45 Station Street, Wentworthville, in a coffee lounge. This shop was roomy, so that, apart from drinking coffee, there was ample space for a billiard table and even dance evenings could be held. Announcement was given in the Dutch Australian Weekly and on June 1st, 1967, N.A.S.C. Wilhelmina was officially opened, with 80 members, all of them avid billiards lovers and players. (The club derives its name from the wife of one of the founders and owner of the coffee lounge.) As the club flourished, and the participation of ladies increased, it became N.A.B.C. (Netherlands Amusement and Billiard Club) Wilhelmina.
Two years later the name was changed again, this time to N.A.S.C. (Netherlands Amusement and Sport Club). During three years space in the coffee lounge was ample, but a growing membership prompted the move to Beaconsfield Street in Auburn, on the 1st floor of an office building.
Own premises were needed, when after 7 years in Auburn, the high rent forced the club out. With fundraising and debentures, the dilapidated R.S.L. Club in Rooty Hill was purchased. With a lot of voluntary work, this building was renovated into the pleasant place it is now. In order to get a full license, the name had to be changed again, and this time (hopefully the last) it became in English “The Netherlands Australian Sports Club ‘Wilhelmina’ Ltd”. This happened in 1979.
