Club Veteran Retires After Four Decades

When Mark Rushton walked into North Ryde RSL Club in 1981, he never expected it would be the place where he’d meet his future wife, let alone where he’d remain for the rest of his working life.

Starting his career in a bank, Mark discovered the finance industry wasn’t for him, quickly pivoting to a bar job at his local club.

“I took to the club industry straight away — for me it was an enjoyable place to work, the hours were friendly, and I began striking up many friendships,” he said.

His roles have varied greatly since the initial bar job, including working as a gaming supervisor, floor manager, stock purchaser and then in payroll/rostering — a position he’s held for the past 20 years.

Apart from a six-month sojourn travelling overseas in 1986, when Mark retires in a few weeks’ time he will have clocked up 43 years of continuous service at North Ryde RSL Club.

“The Club has always had a good group of people working here, and I’ve made lots of lifetime friends,” he said.

“In fact, there’s a group of us that regularly get together, dating back to my time as a floor manager, we catch up and reminisce over a couple of beers. It’s such a friendly place.”

But perhaps the most life-changing element of his Club tenure was meeting his wife Trudi back in 1991.

“She was a patron who had come into the Club for dinner a few times and we used to have a chat when we saw each other, and it developed from there,” said Mark.

His colleagues describe him as not only hard working during his regular contracted hours, but giving of his time off the clock.

That includes never missing an ANZAC Day parade, where he volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly.

He’s also described by the staff as a much-loved member of the team, whose wise counsel is regularly relied upon by staff who value his wealth of knowledge.

It’s a sentiment shared by Club CEO Joe Kelly, who says it will be extremely hard to replace someone of Mark’s calibre when he retires in July.

“Anyone who works for an organisation for 43 years is remarkable. He’s well regarded by all the managers and staff, and he really is a rock for a lot of people,” said Joe.

“He’s a wonderful bloke, he’s from North Ryde originally so he’s an institution around the whole suburb let alone the Club.

“We will be worse off without him but we wish him well in retirement and we are indebted for the service he’s given to the Club.”

As for what life in retirement holds, Mark says he’s already eyeing off some house chores and practicing his golf swing.

“No grand plans at this stage, hopefully I can bring my golf handicap down a little bit, and I’ve found some jobs at home — but I’m not allowed to touch the garden!

“It was difficult to put my resignation in, I was very nervous about it, but I’m sure I’ve done the right thing and I’m looking forward to the next stage in my life.”